Acne.org Products
Antiandrogen
Acne.org’s Real World Take
“Spiro” has been shown to work in a real and noticeable way most of the time. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution.
Antiandrogen
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Spironolactone? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
July 18, 2013
Only medicine that has ever truly worked for me
Cons:
Slightly dehydrating
I have been suffering with acne since around 5th grade (currently 21). I have tried many topical treatments, every antibiotic under the sun, lasers, peels and even Accutane. Accutane terrified me and though it began to clear my skin, I had to stop due to a number of side effects. Antibiotics also make me a little weary due to supposed side effects as well as a few different allergies I have.
I started taking 50mg of Spironolactone twice a day and started seeing results within a month after adding a mild topical prescription. [Note: I take with an oral contraceptive: Reclipsen] I had severe acne on my chest, arm and shoulders and that cleared up for good in less than a month. My face was virtually perfect and my doctor suggested to start gradually weaning off the dose. I did not want to give up my little miracle pills but it has been almost two weeks since I began lowering my dose and though I have had a few very small blemishes I am happy to see that my skin is still incredibly clear. I have also stopped using my topical prescription and have switched to a gentler over the counter facewash/ lotion system.
I began taking this in the winter and thought my dry mouth had something to do with the dry air in my home but the more I read the more I realized that was probably due to the pills diuretic nature, so if you go this route be sure to drink tons of water! This pill has done nothing to reduce pore sizes for me but I am definitely not complaining. Truly the best regimen I have been on in my ten year struggle with acne!
July 6, 2013
LOVE THIS MINTY PILL.
Pros:
No Breakouts/blackheads
Smaller Pores
Glowing Skin
Cons:
NONE
I have had acne since I was 11. It is mild, and only on my face, but very stubborn. I took minocycline and sulfa drugs, as well as using topicals like retin-A and clindamycin to combat it, but the only thing that made a dent in it was birth control, which cleared me about 70%. However, I was still getting breakouts on my chin and jaw line and I had black heads on my nose and chin. I didn't want to start college with poor skin so I went to a new dermatologist. She immediately gave me Spironolactone (50 mg/day) and differin (topical). I did get the initial breakout. I got new pimples for about 2 days, about 7 separate large pimples and then I just had to wait for them to heal. I called my Dr. again and she prescribed Doxycycline (200 mg/day) and clindamycin. It was over and done with in about a week. The initial breakout acne was different acne than I had experienced, it was cystic and in different places than I was used to, but once it cleared, with help of the Doxy, the Differin at night, clindamycin in the morning and of course, my BFF spironolactone, my skin looked so great. I love my skin now, I am so thankful for everything this drug has done. The black heads are gone, my pores are so much smaller, my skin feels so soft and smooth and it glows! People have even commented on it "glowing." And this is only my 3rd week! I love this drug SO MUCH and its so cheap! Ask your doctor!
January 17, 2012
Pros:
Worked pretty quickly for me. Within a few weeks I could tell breakouts were getting less intense. My initial breakout was small whiteheads. Very tolerable. I still get a zit or two around period & ovulation but nothing deep or cystic. Just this month I have started experiancing an irregular period. Med has helped acne tremendously!
Cons:
Irregular period
Frequent (but not bothersome) urination
Still taking it & don't plan on stopping anytime soon. My skin looks better than ever!
June 11, 2011
Pros:
Works really quickly
Cons:
Caused melasma, headaches, and fatigue
This medication works really fast, but this medication gave me a tan-stache!!! I'm going back to accutane.
April 21, 2011
Round 2 of spiro because it's the only thing that really WORKS!!!
Pros:
- Skin seems less oily almost right away
- No new cysts or pimples after 6 weeks
- Takes a few months, but it will clear hormonal acne completely!!!
Cons:
- Increase in small bumps at first
- Diuretic effects
I first took this medication in 2011 for my adult onset (22) hormonal acne. It always coincided with my cycle and was confined to just my chin and jawline! After my derm suggested it and reading these reviews, I knew it was my answer. It took 3 months (50 mg a day) to stop getting new pimples and for the old marks to fade but then I had flawless skin for a two years! I stopped taking it and birth control to get ready to have kids/experiment to see if I no longer needed it and it took 3 months for my skin to return to it's normal state... With my wedding 6 months away, I decided to get back on it for now. It's working just as it did last time- so at least I know it's reliable and consistent! WIshing the effects lasted without taking a pill daily, but it is still without a doubt worth it! I love this medication and how much it helped my self confidence! Good luck to all you girls starting it. Hope it works just as well for you :)
October 7, 2009
Pros:
It actually clears hormonal acne! Also reduces oil dramatically, and helps get rid of blackheads, not to mention it is very cheap!
Cons:
There really aren't any for me, maybe increased urination, but that's about it.
In mid July 2009 I began to flare up after discontinuing my birth control. My face was a mess! I immediately resumed my bc, but it wasn't the magical cure right off the bat. I read about spiro and decided that it might just be the med for me since my acne was obviously hormonal and I have always been super duper greasy. I started out with 100 mg spiro (also taking the Yaz, which is about 25 mg of spiro) but increased to 125 mg's plus the Yaz at around month two. I completely dried up for a while, but now I can actually say that my skin is very balanced, not oily and not dry. Before I began taking the med, I had read all of the reviews on here, most of which all said that it took a few months before it really started working, and while everyone is different, this was exactly the case for me. I just began month 3 of spiro, and my acne is almost completely gone, it has done a 180! I am positive that time will only make it better too! Yay for this med! Ladies try it out!
October 5, 2009
Pros:
Less facial hair, less oily skin, cleared my acne right up.
Cons:
Almost past out from Dizziness when I first took it. Dehydrated a lot.
It cleared up my acne. I had horrible blackheads and terribly oily skin that would cause the most random of embarassing breakouts and small cysts. After about a month I could see and feel the difference in my skin. After 4 months my acne was gone. My skin was so smooth. Stopped taking it for 2 months because I had a surgery and my skin in HORRIBLE again. I'm back on it again. Caused me major dizzines and dehydration when I first started taking it but my body grew use to it. If you have acne, specifically hormonal acne, try this out! But be patient and keep consistent, it does take time!
August 31, 2009
Pros:
I LOVE this stuff! I am 28 and recently suffered from a very serious bout of deep and large acne cysts around my chin and mouth area. I tried so many different things to get rid of my acne and this was one of the only things that helped.
Cons:
My derm told me it is ony effective on acne for women...
I think the improvements in my skin were also partly do to the new BC I started taking at about the same time - Yaz. Bit definitely the spiro played a HUGE part. I wish I would have started taking it sooner - then I wouldn't have all of these acne scars to deal with.
August 15, 2009
Pros:
Clearer & smoother skin, reduced facial oil
Cons:
Dizziness and upset stomach for the first week or so, but definitely worth my trouble
I LOVE this stuff! I've tried just about everything out there, including accutane twice, without any lasting results. I'm 30 and I've had troubled skin since I was 12. Actually, "troubled" isn't the right word. I've had horrible, red, irritated, embarassing, god-awful skin since I was 12, which is never good on the old self-esteem. Right now, after over a year on Spiro, my skin is "manageable". My make-up usually goes on smooth. I don't have to do 1,000 touch-ups per day because I'm too oily. I feel much more confident, even in bad lighting. I take 100 mgs per day, but I'm thinking of bumping my dosage up to 200 mgs. Is anyone out there taking a 200 mg daily dose? I'd like to know how it's going for you if so. Spiro is a wonderful invention & I highly recommend it!
July 23, 2009
Pros:
This stuff works great for me. I've been taking it for a month and a half now and my skin is the clearest it's been in years. It's fantastic. One positive side effect: less appetite.
Cons:
I had initial side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, and thirst to the point where I almost quit, but persevered anyway. The side effects went away after about 3-4 weeks as my body adjusted to the medication.
I'd recommend this drug to anyone, as it's the only thing that's really worked for me. It works way better for me than antibiotics or topicals like Clinicin or Retin-A. I still use a toner and benzoyl peroxide 10 twice a day, but my skin has dried out to the point where I wonder if that's too harsh (LOL, never thought I'd be saying that!) I'm a little concerned about long-term effects and/or what will happen when I go off of it--I feel like Cinderella whose face will turn back into the pumpkin if I quit taking it.:>) I plan on discussing these concerns with my doctor. This medication is supposedly safe for long-term use. I could do without the minty flavor, I'm not sure why they manufactured it like that. Otherwise, it's easy to take.
Pros:
Clear face, back and shoulders