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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July 9, 2008

Pros:

made skin less oily
Cleared skin for a few weeks every now and then

Cons:

Not clear even after long-term use
Duretic (lots of toilet trips)
Stopped my periods (convenient but worrying!)

I have mild to moderate acne, only ever on my chin. I was on this drug for 18 months. From 50mg to 175mg. I can say for sure that it made my skin less oily, and there were periods of abuot 3 weeks where i'd have clear skin. But my monthly cyst never ceased, and I've just recently broken out in about 4 cysts in a row, plus lots of other junk all around my chin, non-stop for almost a month now. I feel at 18months i've given this drug a fair run, and am just so dissapointed at the long-term results. i really thought this was going to be the wonder drug I was waiting for (have tried dianette + many many creams) :-( Also, my periods stopped altogether, which (although convenient) obviously isn't good in the long-run. I'm now quitting this and trying anti-biotics. Fingers crossed!
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July 9, 2008

Pros:

Cost, ease of use, minimal side effects

Cons:

pills must be taken daily, in my case twice a day which can be difficult to adjust to. also is a diuretic so you must drink a ton of water daily.

I think it is important to mention the reason why most people are prescribed aldactone/spironolactone, which is due to the overproduction of aldosterone (male testosterone hormone) in females, and causes a variety of symptoms including oily skin, acne, and weight gain. The reason it is only for women is because it blocks the aldosterone production, which in men would lead to feminization. Most women who are on this medication also have PCOS. It would not be effective or recommended for someone who has non-hormone based acne problems. I also never had acne in my teens, only in my early 20's to now at 30. I have been on spironolactone for about 3 weeks now and just a few days ago I noticed my skin was starting to become less oily and today I have not had to use any oil blotting sheets yet. My acne is starting to clear, although I am getting a few larger and more severe zits than I did before. It definitely worked for me, and I am so happy to have the possibility of clear ski
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July 6, 2008

Pros:

cleared up all monthly breakouts and almost all blackheads

Cons:

Sore breasts before period,cycle slightly shorter than before

I am 42 and started this over a year ago. It has been the most effective treatmnet I've used, and I've tried everything! The side effects are minimal, and the results are great.
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July 6, 2008

Pros:

Cheap with insurance. Only $7. Probably cheap without insurance as it is generic. IT WORKS! It doesn't cause all the irritation of topical ointments I have tried such as: differen, erythromycin, proactive, retin a, ziana, duac...

Cons:

Has screwed up my menstrual cycle and has caused some intense spotting. Also takes about a month to work. Only works for women. Can cause some trouble with potassium.

IT WORKS! It doesn't cause irritation. It is cheap! I'm pretty upset no one prescribed this for me in the past 10+ years I have had acne
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July 4, 2008

Pros:

inexpensive, helped my acne, less oily

Cons:

took a long time to be effective, should be paired with birth control

My acne was always moderate and my sophomore year of college, it calmed down. During my junior year it suddenly flared up and I started on 50mg 2x a day and I'm not sure if it was the medication or just my body, but my face was totally covered in tiny pimples for several months. Now about 6 months later and after starting Femcon birth control, my skin is very smooth but still get a few pimples here and there. The only stress factor is that those little pimples have heavily scarred my skin so even though it's smooth, I have tons of dark spots which I'm now getting treated with PDT. I never experienced any of the side effects (ie: peeing frequently, getting lightheaded) so I would recommend this to friends.
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July 3, 2008

Pros:

Made my hair and skin a little less oily.

Cons:

Didn't work! I was on 150 mg to 200mg/day for 16 months and all it did was give me worse acne. I was breaking out in places I never breakout and had two periods a month for over a year.

Even at 200mg/day for six months I was still breaking out really bad, and because I was getting two periods a month for over a year it made me extremely tired. I also craved salt like a crazy woman and had to pee every two hours. I've finally stopped spiro three weeks ago and my skin is clearing up. I guess it works for some women, but not for all.
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July 1, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up cystic rosacea/acne; skin much less oily.

Cons:

One or two trips to bathroom at night. Have tested at high-end-of-normal potassium level.

This stuff is incredible!!! I'm a 57 year-old female (and you thought 46 was pathethic...hah!). I've been on every topical and oral med for zits since early teens. I recently developed cystic rosacea, of all things. It's a little different from regular cystic acne -- but I was walking around with a face full of cysts that would burst open on their own thoughout the day, and run down my face. (These cannot be "coaxed out" like regular acne.) It was so horrible that I left the house only for MD appointments. People thought I had some hideous, contageous disease. My derm gave me this because monocycline was turning my skin grey (geez!). This is so much better than I ever dreamed, since I wasn't expecting the reduction of oilyness as well. Now, with a little loose powder on my lower face to cover residual discoloration from the cysts, I look like a normal person. Wow!!! I never thought I'd live to see it.
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June 28, 2008

Pros:

I am 38. First time since i was 12 that I have clear skin.

Cons:

Don't take at night as it works as a diuretic!

Ashley from Naperville.... try Dr. Julianne Moore in Lombard. She is the dermatologist that I go to. She is in practice with Dr. Nancy Lichon. Hope that helps!
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June 26, 2008

Pros:

Love it, have used it for about 2 years on and off. You have to stay consistent, just upped my does to 200mg and its better already-I have ADULT cystic acne....related to hormones I am told...it minimizes any skin irritations

Cons:

just worry about long term side effects if any....had my potassium checked once....have to keep up with regular blood tests!

Use it, it works, it makes you feel confident!
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June 26, 2008

Pros:

cleared my skin

Cons:

none

Suffered with acne since I was 13, I am now 36 and my skin is finally clear. I have been on EVERYTHING; pills, topicals.. you name it! I also take orthotricyclen. Ther two combined is fantastic!
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