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
May 17, 2008
Cons:
Double periods
I'm 28 and on my third attempt at spironolactone--I've taken it twice before and then gradually weened off of it when I had success at clearing my facial acne (mainly chin area). In winter every year my face starts breaking out like no tomorrow, and then I start taking spiro and it starts to reduce oil almost immediately, but then takes about 9 weeks to fully improve skin texture and stop the painful cysts. During the initial treatment I am running to the bathroom, feeling dizzy, getting headaches and the acne actually gets worse, but at the 9-week mark it clears up and then I just have to be patient for a few weeks/months while the scarring fades. Meanwhile the side effects have stopped but I'm getting double periods (didn't happen the other times). On the flip side, I'm not cramping, and I'm one of those people who has passed out from menstrual pain at the onset of my period. So all in all, two periods a month is a small price to pay for clear skin and no pain.
May 6, 2008
Pros:
Clearer skin, weight loss
Cons:
More trips to the bathroom!
My gyn will no longer give me the regular birth control pill because I am a smoker and over 35. (please dont comment on the smoking) She switched me to the minipill which I later found out, causes acne many times. Anyway, my cystic acne seemed to be more frequent. I couldnt look people in the eye. It devastated me. So, I found this new fabulous dermatologist who got me on this med immediately. 25mg's and in three weeks the 5 cysts I had were gone (even though they probably woudl have been gone anyway) BUT, I have had only one big one since and it has now been about two months. I saw my dermatologist and expressed my disappointment in the number of whiteheads since we have been so aggressive, and she has now increased my spironolactone dose to 50mg. I am also at the end of the Isolaz laser treatment which I am very disappointed in. I have had 7 treatments at $375 and really expected to have borderline perfect skin by now. I am pretty convinced now it is really the spironolactone.
April 4, 2008
Pros:
Dried up my very oily skin. Hair is no longer greasy. Starting to see improvement in acne.
Cons:
VERY bad initial break out. Caused huge cysts all over my face in weird places I never had acne. Also caused a lot of small little whiteheads around my mouth.
I've been using this for 3 months and my initial break out was so bad my family asked if I was stressing and my friends asked about my face. I had wonderfully clear skin all until I hit age 22 and started getting a cyst every month. It eventually increased to 8-10 cysts a month. I am starting to see results with spiro only after three months, but the first three months were hell for me. Although I am seeing results, my face is still breaking out in huge cysts in unusual places (I usually get them on my jawline and cheek) such as above my mouth, temple, and nose. My doctor has registered me on iPledge to start accutane next month.
February 6, 2008
Pros:
Reduced Oil, smoother skin and texture
Cons:
Thirsty all the time, muscle weakness, dry hands and feet
I have used this for almost 3 months. Started on 50 for 2 weeks, 100 for 2 months, and now on 150 for the last week. Overall my acne has much improved, especially the cysts. I do still have one cyst and some inflamed spots. I'm trying to hang in there like the rest of you. I have suffered with acne since I was 11 and now I'm 41. Nothing has ever worked, not even accutane. My derm gave me Duac yesterday to add to the regime. I'll report back in a month or so to let you know my progress.
January 29, 2008
Pros:
some weight loss, skin now clearing after 2 months on spiro
Cons:
horrible breakouts within 2 days of starting this. dizziness and fatigue in the beginning because of effects on blood pressure
I started taking this because I had to go off birth control pills 7 months ago because of melasma and my skin was getting progressively worse because of the hormone fluctuations (the most I had ever gotten on my face was maybe a pimple or 2 a week while on the bc pills and now i was getting several and a ton the week before my period). Anyways, I did research on spiro and discovered that since it supresses aldosterone, it also supresses testosterone which would help acne. I then started 25mg BID the first week and then up to 50mg BID the second week. Within 2 days of taking my first dose, my face brokeout worse than ever. Huge pimples and also tiny bumps all over the bottom half of my face - it was HORRIBLE! I didn't want to leave the house. I have now been on spiro 2 months and my skin is finally much better -it's even softer -now all i have left besides a couple of bumps, are scars. Hang in there, it takes a while to work, and has uncomfortab side effects at first- but it's worth it!
January 24, 2008
Pros:
I never found out...
Cons:
Incredibly itchy breasts and nipples. To the point where I would put calamine lotion on them and ice my chest at night. I am not normally one who is overly sensitive to medicines, either.
After my reaction that I didn't initially attribute to the medicine, I did more research on spiro. It is a drug (in a higher dose) that is also used for people who are trying to change genders (grow breasts). My doctor also encouraged me to practice abstinence or be on the pill. When asked why he said the medicine can cause a male fetus to take on female characteristics. I wanted to try to stay on it because the doctor seemed certain it would work for me. But he also said it would take about four weeks to kick in and that is when I got the soreness and incessant itchiness.
December 17, 2007
Pros:
Works wonders!
Cons:
Constant spotting, took a few months to work, major breakout before it cleared.
I'm 35 and after years of trying every acne product on the market I was recommended Spiro (aldactone in Australia). I've now been on it for about 5 months and my skin is very clear. Took a few months to work and had a TERRIBLE breakout before it got better, but it definately does work. One question for the ladies out there though - I seem to have a very light period all month long. Is this normal? I'm also taking Yasmin but the period is not aligned with the Yasmin pills at all. Also, I have some scarring now from the initial breakout. Any recommendations on how to treat this? or should I just wait it out for my skin to renew itself? Thanks so much!
November 4, 2007
Pros:
Works!! Like nothing else I ahve ever tried (and I've tried most of them).
Cons:
Made me a little dizzy or tired when first started or upping does. Goes away though.
Works. Simple and effective. I think though this is really best for hormonal adult acne. I am 37 and have battled acne all my life and have never found anything to make it go away. Retin-a micro worked for a time to lessen it but stopped working and never made it go away like this has.
August 31, 2007
Pros:
IT WORKS....it's the onlything (other than accutane) that has worked on my skin.
Cons:
Felt very tired the first couple of weeks.
After trying all kinds of medications, a dermatologist finally prescribed this to me after I refused to take Accutane for the second time. It worked within the first month. I took it for a few months then couldn't afford to go back to that Dermatologist because he didn't take insurance. I recently went to my regular doctor and asked him if he would prescribe Spiro to me if I felt I needed it again and he agreed...he didn't seem to have a problem with it. I recently started to break out again and have an appointment to start back on in a few days since I am breaking out again after not taking it for about 2 months.
August 8, 2007
Pros:
Less oliy skin/fewer breakouts
Cons:
Frequent urination/dizziness if I don't drink enough H2O
I've had very oily skin since my teens, and it always bothered me. I started Spironolactone as a last ditch effort to get a better complexion (got tired of using those oil absorbing sheets). I've been on it now for about 3 months with good results. Hardly ever breakout now, and the oil is much less. I recently asked my Dr. to increase my dosage from 50mg to 75mg to see if that will further reduce oil production (haven't started the new dosage yet). The first couple of months were a difficult adjustment because I workout and play a lot of soccer. I was really out of breath, and my muscles were tired--something I wasn't used to at all. Normally, I can run around on the field forever! Took a little while, but my body finally adjusted, and now I can exercise just as hard. Funny thing is, I've also suffered from shin splints (a common ailment with runners--ouch), and I can honestly say that I am now shin splint free for the 1st time in 5 years! 5 years! Life is good!
Pros:
Less oil and clearer skin