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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September 24, 2008

Pros:

Totally cleared my severe acne

Cons:

it takes a while to work, so stick it out!

I love this medication! I have been taking Spiro for about 6months and my face has been transformed. I started out taking 100mg and worked my way up to 200mg. At 200 I really began to see a difference. I no longer wake up in the morning dreading to go outside or to look in the mirror. I no longer have to avoid eye contact with people. My face is completely clear and has been for about a month. Before I was getting a new breakout every week, once one got better I would get another one. It does take a while to work, for me it took almost five months but I stuck it out because I did see changes and now I have great skin, with exception of the scares I have left over. Spiro was my life saver!
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September 22, 2008

Pros:

Has helped to clear up my acne and loss a few pounds!

Cons:

It smells and taste strange. I almost dread having to take it (just because of the taste and smell).

It is a usable product as long as you aren't trying to have sex frequently
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September 22, 2008

Pros:

1) Completely cleared up tiny flesh colored bumps on forehead.
2) Small Pill

Cons:

1) Very dehydrating when I first began to use it

I'm 28 and I've been suffering from acne (hundreds of tiny flesh colored bumps, a few big bumps under the skin, extremely rare pustules) for the past couple of years on my cheeks, forehead, and jawline since stopping hormonal birth control. Now the tiny bumps are gone and my skin feels almost normal. My forehead is smooth with the occasional "regular" teenage type bump. My cheeks are beggining to clear up although I can still feel a few bumps under the skin. I do still have 6 or 7 small bumps around my jaw, but hopefully those will be gone soon too. Right now I'm more concerned with the red spots on my cheeks - I've had these before and know that they will fade with time - but the waiting sucks! Overall, I highly reccomend this product. I felt a little dizzy and a little dehydrated at first, but now I'm fine. I will continue to use this product for a couple more months and report back. I'd say that after 1 month my face looks about 50% better.
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September 21, 2008

Pros:

not sure if there are any

Cons:

makes you need to pee more, tastes and smells strange

starting taking this for POS symptoms, hair loss & acne, my hair started to get thicker, and my skin as been clear ever since, but now my hair is starting to fall out again, and i have no sex drive at all which sucks and all the doctors i've seen don't know what to tell me.
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September 19, 2008

Pros:

It really seems to be helping

Cons:

still breaking out

It does work, but I have an appointment next week and I stil need some help.
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September 18, 2008

Pros:

so far so good, minimized black and white heads in just a couple days, my skin in not as oily

Cons:

a little tired sometimes, have to go to the bathroom a little more then usual

I have had severe acne for 18 years. I've tried everything. Started clearing up when I turned 20 but then got worst with each child I had. I have been on spiro for 1 week. I still have had some breakouts. However I've noticed that the black heads and white heads on my nose have dramatically diminished. My pores look smaller and my skin is not as oily. I started off last week @ 50mg per day. I move up to 50mg twice a day today and 50 mg three times a day next Thurs. If I see a dramatic improvement this week I might just leave the dosage at two times a day.
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September 18, 2008

Pros:

Works great clears my skin beautifully, love the diuretic effect

Cons:

Frequent trips to the bathroom. I don't like the idea of having to be a pills, but it seems to be the only thing that works. Takes a few months to start working.

It works great on acne if you can deal with some of the side effects.
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September 18, 2008

Pros:

My acne did clear up..

Cons:

Not sure if my period being always late is related to the drug

I was diagnosed with PCOS 4 yrs ago. I began taking this drug 4 weeks ago (prior to that i was om metformin). My skin is clearing up but my menstrual cycle has gone nuts
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September 18, 2008

Pros:

I love this drug, works even better than Accutane (for me anyway) due to the mini,al side effects. Cleared skin within a month of taking it, also my hair is thinker.

Cons:

Tiredness at first but that went away. My sex drive has plummeted though which is a big deal but I'm afraid to stop taking it. Any suggestions here?

I asked my gynocologist to prescribe it for my skin and he had no hesitation. My only concern is that I have not had a potassium level test in a year so I think I will do that soon. My hormone levels were normal but I suspected that I was sensitive to testosterone due to my history of oilyness, breakouts and thinning hair. There's a book called The Hormonally Vulnerable Woman that explains this in detail.
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September 17, 2008

Pros:

Very cheap! Small pill! Helps with cystic acne!

Cons:

Takes along time to work! Gets worse before it gets better. (at least for me it did)

I have been taking Spiro and Metformin for PCOS for the last 50 days.. so about 7 weeks and some odd days.I take 50mg in the morning and 50mg at night. I read alot about Spiro on the internet and all the positive responces that it got from acne suffers. I have had acne since I was 12yrs old. I have tried almost everything including tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, tazorac, diffren, clydimicine (spell), ortho tri cycline, acne free, proactive....just about everything except accutane. The derm said that my skin was not acne was not severe enough for all the side effects of accutane. For the last seven weeks my face has been HORRIABLE!!! It broke out so BAD!! Especially with cysts all on the lower part of my face. I was so devistated I wanted to die. I didnt leave the house for a month almost. Finally in the last week or so my face has calmed down and I have one cysts left but still some red marks. It is starting to get better. Just stick with it!
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website