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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Jen

December 16, 2008

Pros:

Breakouts on my chin and cysts along jawline have cleared up 99%. Skin is much less oily. I now only get one or two breakouts a month, it used to be almost every day I'd have a new one and several a day during my period.

Cons:

I get dizzy if I stand up too quicky. Wake up thirsty in the middle of the night sometimes. Breast tenderness the first month or so. It also seems that menstrual cramps have gotten a little bit worse, but nothing that Pamprin can't fix.

Read about spiro on the internet and asked my derm if he would prescribe it. He had no problem doing so, along with Duac for the non-hormonal breakouts. He prescribed 100 mg a day (in the a.m.), but recently I've switched it to 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night so I don't get so dizzy from lower blood pressure. I also notice that I'm a little bit dizzier after I run. I've been on spiro for 7 weeks now and I can see a HUGE improvement.

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MommyMo

November 30, 2008

Pros:

It has been almost a month and I've seen a big difference in my acne. My doctor put me on Spironolactone for facial hair on my chin and in my lip area. While researching it, I read that it helps with acne, too. It works for both. I'm thrilled!

Cons:

So far, I'm just noticing that I have to pee more often.

I'm thrilled that it is addressing both of the problems that I've had with my face- the acne and the facial hair.

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anna

November 30, 2008

Pros:

women get your testosterone levels checked...may explain a lot. Spiro is the only thing that works because it blocks testosterone at receptor cites.

Cons:

none

check it out. not many dr.s link acne with hormone levels. Derm will go out of acne business!!go to an endrocrinologist.

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November 28, 2008

Pros:

gives you beautiful, soft skin

Cons:

nothing

It took 4 months to start working and did not completely eradicate acne until 5-6 mos. I had a horrible breakout when I went on it (the worst my face ever looked) and it kept breaking out for about 2-3 mos and then finally started clearing up. You need to be patient because IT DOES WORK. I have been on it a year now and have no intention to ever go off of it. I am 36 yrs old and I wish I knew about this years ago. It also will change the texture of your skin - my skin is extremely soft now

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November 24, 2008

Pros:

Soft, smooth skin, no breakouts!

I have been on spironolactone for about 4 years. It has kept my mild acne under control. I am 27 and I feel great about my skin, finally. I wish I had known about this years ago. I am on a small dosage and have not had any side effects. I follow the instructions for the drug and eat well, and feel totally normal. Just keep trying something until it works for you.

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Christina

November 23, 2008

Pros:

The only drug that was ever able to cure my acne, it helped me lose a few pounds.

Cons:

The blood test every 6 months, but that's not even a big deal.

I used every acne drug and cream known to man from 2000 to 2005. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2003 and put on Yasmin (birth control) which helped my acne slightly for a short time. I took Metformin for a few months for my PCOS as well, but it lowered my blood sugar too much and I had to discontinue it. It did nothing to help my acne anyway. In 2005, I was put on Accutane for 6 months as the last resort... it didn't work. My dermatologist had to tell me I was one of the 10% it didn't help. He told me to see a reproductive endocrinologist and he had very little hope for me too, telling me he didn't know it Aldactone would really help my acne, but decided to give it a shoot. I started taking 200 mg of Aldactone a day in September of 2005 and in November of 2005, my acne was almost completely gone. I get compliments now on how great my skin looks. I absolutely love his drug and my only wish is that my doctors had put me on it earlier.

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Ms. MJ

November 23, 2008

Pros:

Less Oil, skin is starting to clear and feeling more confident!

Cons:

It tends to make me a little sleepy for about two hrs after I take it.

I was put on spiro because I have a severe hormone imbalance. My body produces too much estrogen and when you have too much estrogen it converts to testosterone. It is that conversion that is causing my breakouts among other issues like weight gain and hair growth in places women should not have hair growth! I also did not have periods for 18 months until I was on the correct combination of meds. I am 32 years old and have been dealing with all of the problems since I was 29. I was put on Metformin and Spiro in March. I have lost 52lbs and my face has begun to clear. I started out on 25 mg and now on 50 mg. My acne is not completely gone but it has gotten much better. I go to the doc in a few weeks and I am thinking about having him increase my dosage to at least 100 mg daily. I also LOVE the fact I can wear foundation all day. Before spiro I was so oily that I had to wipe my foundation off by 11:00 in the morning. Now my face stays matte all day!

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Shannon

November 23, 2008

Pros:

decrease in oil, cysts are smaller( less fluid in them) More manageable.

Cons:

Since I have increased the dose, severe muscle aches, sluggish ,tired , cold all the time. Flu like feeling.

I started on 50 mg a day, felt ok, Didnt notice any real increase in urination.Only noticed slight oil decrease, had the same amount of usual break outs but they were smaller less fluid filled and inflamed. After two weeks upped the dose to 50 mg 2x a day , very tired, back of my neck muscles really ache, have a hard time doing my normal activites. Thought i may have a had a heart palpitation a few times, but it went away. As far as my face its been about a week on the higher dose and i did notice the stubborn deep cysts that have hid under the skin around my jaw line for months are drying up. My face looks paler which causes the old red scars to become more noticable.I still have a few new break outs but they go away quickly and are smaller but they are more painful. The oil is still decreasing which is good. So far i feel positive about spiro, Cant wait for my body to adjust to this new dose so that i feel better. Oh and i really cant say as of yet that i had an initial break out .

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Meggo

November 20, 2008

Pros:

None.

Cons:

Terrible allergic reaction.

My dermatologist prescribed this medication for me after I had tried almost everything. As soon as I started taking it I broke out with severe hives. I stopped taking the medication immediately but continued with chronic hives (urticaria) for almost a year. I would break out multiple times a week and was prescribed hydroxyzine to control the hives. It was a terrible experience for me. All medications work differently but be aware that you may be allergic to one that is prescribed to you. From reading the reviews it looks like it works really well...too bad I'm allergic.

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Ms. Spiro

November 19, 2008

Pros:

My skin is not oily anymore and I'm finally clear. I'm 33 and I wish a doctor had prescribed me this a decade ago. Sometimes it takes a long time to find a good doctor (unfortunately!!!)

Cons:

Minor blood test every 6 months or so. I'm on 200 mg. daily and with insurance it's $6 monthly. If you've no insurance 200 mg. will cost you approx. $95 monthly.

I wanted to give an update now that I've been on it for a year. I never break out anymore and my skin is very soft. I still use a mild 2.5% BP on my face once or twice daily just to be safe. Prior to using spiro. that would NEVER have been strong enough to keep me clear. I had very severe acne on my face, back and chest. Now I use NO topicals on my body and my soaps are no longer medicated, because they would be too drying. So, if you think only people with mild acne will benefit, you're wrong. I'm also on Yasmin and although it helped reduce oil a bit, it was the spiro. that took my skin to another level entirely. It's a safe way to control your oil production at the source without the terrible and worrisome side effects of Accutane. **If you'd like to read my previous spiro. entry scroll back to Ms. Spiro dated April 5th., 2008.** I sincerely hope this helps you on your quest to break free from this terrible disease. I know how dark acne makes life seem. Please, don't give up!

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