Spironolactone

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Spironolactone is a type of oral medication called an anti-androgen that is sometimes prescribed to females. Androgens are male hormones that are present...

Spironolactone is a type of oral medication called an anti-androgen that is sometimes prescribed to females. Androgens are male hormones that are present in both males and females that lead to more acne, and spironolactone helps reduce androgens.

It is usually taken once or twice a day, around the same time(s), preferably with a meal.

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Beth

January 19, 2009

Pros:

started working after only a couple of weeks for me!

Cons:

none so far

I never got a pimple in my life until I hit my 30th bday and it's been horrible. I have really great skin, just having a surge of hormones due to my age. I started getting the large cystic pimples (hate them), and tiny whiteheads everywhere (on my lower face, chin, jawline) - I tried EVERYTHING topical and nothing was working - Derm put me on Minocycline and in a few weeks I had skin as clear as the sky but hives everywhere - I was allergic! Talk about irony. Them he put me on Bactrim and after a couple months my acne was 'better' but not by much. I wasnt thrilled to be on an antibiotic all the time anyway. A couple weeks ago he took me off Bactrim and on Spironolactone. I take 50 mg 2 times a day. I was warned I might be dizzy, tired, etc because it is primarily used for people with high blood pressure, but I have experienced none of those symptoms or any others. My face is FINALLY CLEAR! I encourage anyone who has tried just about everything with no results to try this.

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purereviewer96

January 19, 2009

Pros:

I'm not too sure yet. I have only been taking the medication for a month.

Cons:

Slight dizziness and some tiredness.

I have been taking spiro for one month and was on 50 mg. a day. My doctor just recently changed my dose to 100 mg. daily. I actually have still been breaking out during this month and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Does anyone seem to notice if your face gets worse before it gets better? I'm hoping that the higher dose will help me out. I still broke out around my period, which I thought spiro was supposed to help. I think I just need to stick it out for a few more months to judge the effectiveness. Has anyone else noticed these effects? Thanks!

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LisaL

January 19, 2009

Pros:

Within a month, I was not breaking out regularly like I used to.

Cons:

None really. I take 50mg about three times every 2 days. Supposed to take 2/day. Seems to work fine at the dose I am taking. I get one or two smaller zits before my period...but that's about it.

Very happy with this solution. Been on it for 5 months now and don't plan to stop.

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Stacy

January 17, 2009

Pros:

Gives me hope, diuretic, less oily skin

Cons:

Tired feeling, having to pee alot more, skin drier

I have been on ethis for about 2, maybe three months. I started on 25mg, upped to 50mg and am now today upping to 125mg. I still have hope that it works, On the lower dose I did not see any improvement. After reading all these posts I sensed the dosage was too low. I am not looking forward to how this will effect my energy level, but at this point I will try anything. I am 35 years old and started having an issue with acne at 25 with my first pregnancy. I've tried it all--crems, gels, accutane 1x, retin-A and every other imaginable OTC treatment. I keep telling myself I am too old to be dealing with this. I pray this will do the trick for me as it has for so many others suffering from hormonal acne. I'll post again in a month or two and let you know what the higher dosage does.

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Trisha

January 16, 2009

Pros:

Cystic monthly acne has stopped

Cons:

dry hair, thirsty.. Very tired, achy - monthly cycles are now 17 days from start to start... Not fun..

I love that the cystic acne is gone - I have had break outs but limited.. I seem to scar with each new pimple/cyst so anything that makes them fewer has my vote.. I am worried about my hair though - have heard horror stories of thinning hair and hair loss.. definitely don't want that! Make sure to do your blood test to check potassium levels - if your doc doesn't suggest it get a new doc. I will try for a little longer - I have been on sprio for 3.5 months now..

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Liam Young9

January 13, 2009

Pros:

Glowing, healthy, clear skin when taken with oral contraceptives.

Cons:

None for me.

My acne went away completely when I started taking Spironolactone 4-5 years ago. I take it with oral contraceptives since I have PCOS, and I find the combination works the best: one without the other doesn't work as well. I do find that the spironolactone gives my skin a healthy, glowing look which goes away if I miss some pills. People actually comment that I have skin like a peach, which I never, ever thought I'd hear. I've never noticed any side effects. I take 50 mg 2x a day. I tried Accutane several times along with several kinds of antibiotics and topical treatments before; this is the only thing that has worked for me.

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Callie

January 8, 2009

Pros:

makes skin less oily

Cons:

headaches, dizziness, slow thought process, tiredness

I've been on Minocycline, which is an antibiotic, for the past year and a half and my dermatologist wanted to get me off it. He prescribed Spiro about a month ago and all I can say is that I've been having somewhat severe side effects. He told me that there were no side effects but I've just been feeling horrible lately. I'll get really tired and dizzy and I won't be able to think clearly at times. I'll keep taking it in hope that the side effects loosen up within the next few weeks.

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Erin

January 7, 2009

Pros:

This does not work right away!! I have lost weight as well.

Cons:

do use the restroom frequently

I have been using spironlactone for over a month and not have seen any improvement in my skin. I read other reviews and they said it can take 2-4 months before you can see a difference in your skin. I am not sure if it gets worse before it gets better, but my skin is breaking out bad now, like back when I was a teenager. I think I just need to give it a little more time. Just wanted to give others a heads up...that this does not work right away.

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Carol

January 5, 2009

Pros:

This worked for my 17 year old daughter within two weeks of starting the prescription-25mg/day for the first 1/2 of the month then 50mg/day for the 15 days leading up to and through her period. Her face was 90% clear in two weeks. It was a miracle.

Cons:

The first couple of weeks she had to pee lots but says that it is not an issue now. She has been on it two months now. No other symptoms.

My daughter has tried all sorts of antibiotics, prescription washes,and topical creams since she was 14. Even being on Yaz( for ovarian cysts) didn't make any difference. Her acne just has been getting worse over the years. A cosmetic dermatologist we consulted about blue light laser treatments (which we deemed too expensive) gave her the spironolactone prescripition and said to give it a try. The other effect it had was to lessen the pain with her ovarian cysts that she gets most months with her period. Our family doctor says being on it long term can affect kidney function so that needs to be monitored. She just had her kidney and liver function checked last week and it came back normal but it need to be checked annually. I read about everyone having such good response on this website so wanted to post hers.

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January 5, 2009

Pros:

Only one pill a day.

Cons:

Nothing that I really know except long term use can cause cancer at times.

I'm a male, and my doctor prescribed me this medication. I'm only on 25mg a day, and it is supposed to regulate my testosterone production. It seems to work pretty well. I wasn't too bad before, but I've noticed that it's slowing down the frequency of my pimples. I find it odd that I only find it for women, but it seem to work for me. I've never heard of another man being on it, but my doctor says that he has had success with men on this medication in the past. If you're a man, I would say ask your doctor about it if antibiotics are not getting you the complete results that you want. It is less risky than accutane(spelling) and cheaper.

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