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
September 5, 2008
Didn't work for me. It could work for you though.
September 4, 2008
Pros:
decrease in cystic acne, hormonal acne
less oil
Cons:
dry skin, frequent unrination, heart palpitations at times, muscle weakness
At first this medication gave me an initial breakout, muscle weakness at 100 mg a day.
After 3 months my cystic acne has improved but I need at least 150mg a day. I have tried everything since I was 13 yrs old and accutane was not an option since I can't tolerate BCP.
It is worth it to help me feel better about myself since acne is emotionally difficult.
August 6, 2008
Pros:
Made skin less oily, reduced facial hair, and acne. Helped with weight loss.
Cons:
When I first started taking it, I got dizzy easily and could tell my blood pressure was low. I was also really thirsty all the time and lost my appetite.
I've been using spironolactone now for 2 months at 50mg a day, along with retin-a micro in the pm, and finacea in the am. Despite the side effects, I was beginning to see results until now. I'm having a bad breakout, one I haven't seen in while. I have faith in spironolactone, so I'm hoping things will clear up. Did anyone else's skin get worse before it got better, when you first started taking spironolactone?
July 23, 2008
Pros:
I had used EVERYTHING from age 13 until 23, I'm now 28. Antibiotics, mainly Tetracycline caused severe reactions so I couldn't take Accutane. I tried Spironolactone again almost 5 years ago and have been CLEAR since - until recently. :(
Cons:
Peeing all the time, 1 or 2 times a night, but it's worth it for clear skin. Right now I'm feeling devastated because after almost 5 years, my cystic acne has returned and I have no explanation as to why!?!?!
It works, but the dose and when you take it takes some getting use to. If you haven't tried it, find a doctor that will let you. It has few side effects, especially if your self esteem is as damaged as mine was and is now again. If you tried it before and it didn't work, try it again. I used it for a year when I was 18 and it didn't work, then worked within 2 months a few years later.
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.
June 24, 2008
Pros:
Skin is clear and free of cystic acne (apart from the very occasional blemish). Water weight loss during the first few weeks. Continued breast enlargement (I suppose this could be a con for some women...).
Cons:
Increased fatigue during first few weeks, continued irregular periods (though I hear that's supposed to stop, too).
As an accutane vet, I'd recommend Spiro over Accutane. Even though Accutane has more pronounced and sudden effects, Spiro is safer and gets to the root of the problem (the androgen sensitivity that effects many women). It took some playing around with dosages to hit the sweet spot (I'm at 150 mg/day - at 115 lbs, I suppose that's a relatively high dose), but it was worth the wait. Don't be alarmed when skin gets worse before it gets better. Stick with it.
June 13, 2008
Pros:
My skin is less oily, no new blackheads plus fewer cysts (the ones I have now are not as big and painful as before), water weight loss
Cons:
frequent bathroom trips (including middle of the night), leg cramps
I have only been on this for 2 weeks (100 mg 1x day) but am already starting to notice a difference in my skin. My doctor prescribed this along w/microgestin to clear up acne and excess facial hair caused by polycystic ovary syndrome so I am happy to see that others have noticed a reduction in hairiness. :-) I'm 39 and had acne as a teen that cleared up in my 20s and has gradually gotten worse again over the past year. It had gotten to the point where my jaw and chin were continually covered in raw painful, embarrassing cysts. My derm. told me that I might not see a significant improvement for the first two months but I am happy with the results after just 2 weeks. My skin isn't completely clear yet, but it's still early days and I'm glad to see that so many people have had great results with this medication.
June 2, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up cystic acne by 90% in two months, very few side effects, no irritated, painful skin!
Cons:
Face is still fairly oily, still get clogged pores on nose, periods are 3 weeks apart
I am 37 years old and I've been on Accutane twice. I've been on spiro (100 mg a day) for 2 months and my face is looking better than ever! The only down side is that my periods are three weeks apart now. My derm suggested that I take this with either Yasmin or Yaz BCP to regulate the periods. I may do that.
May 21, 2008
Pros:
Clears up acne and keeps it away. I didn't like having cysts removed from my face since they leave scars.
Cons:
None
I've been using it for over a year now and I think I need to up my doasage since I'm starting to break out again. I've been on 25mg 2x day. Based on other people's usage it seems like a low dose. I had my potassium checked a month then 6 months after starting and not since then. It bothers me not to know.
May 15, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up deep, cystic acne within a few days.
Cons:
Dry/itchy eyelids, some mild tiredness, foot cramps/charlie horse in the feet initially (got over it after a year or so)
I had acne in my teens/early 20s that seemed to subside after hitting my mid 20s and taking Ortho-Novum 777. At around 35 (after playing around with my birthcontrol) my acne returned worse than I ever remember it being when I was a teen. I started taking Spironolactone about 2 years ago and I wish I had access to this drug years ago. Definitely worth a try for anyone who has tried everything else with little success.
Cons:
It made my skin super sensitive and I had a nasty reaction when I got my normal hair color done. Plus I got a sore on my tongue that wouldn't heal. I even cut down my dose. All went back to normal when I stopped. Didn't do anything for my acne.