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
January 25, 2008
Cons:
dizziness, fatique, dry nose
I have used this medication consistently for 3 weeks. My skin has gotten worse- I have more cystic acne, but I am hoping this is just bringing things to the surface. Anyone else have this result? My dermatologist won't let me try more that 50mg per day. He did put me on an antibiotic for calming the breakout. I have tried everything. I am 30. Totally ready to FREAK OUT.
January 11, 2008
Pros:
My face has became less oily and complexion looks clearer, and fresh. VERY AFFORDABLE!!(haven't had ins for the past 5 yrs):)
Cons:
Initial breakout only after 2 days of using spiro, however has subsided greatly.I haven't really encountered any other as yet.
Ok, so my Derm' rx for me 100mg of spiro, taken 1 x day and 150mg of clindamycin to be taken 3 x daily. I have been on this for only 1 week and already I've noticed a huge difference. Less oil, breakouts are not cystic, and less puss. I have used every antibiotic you can think of along with all the topicals, and yes even accutance, twice. I've had acne since age 16, I am now 29. I hope spiro will work wonders for me. All I want or I should say all i need is great skin. I think I deserve it after such a long battle with acne not to mention the scars. I will check in again after 1 month. Good luck to all!! Great Skin for the new year.
January 7, 2008
Pros:
clears skin and minimizes hair growth (esp. on chin, etc.)
Cons:
tired, peeing a lot, taking a pill everyday
If nothing else has worked for you (especially topical) and if you've developed acne post-adolescence (like me), it's definitely worth a try! I am back on it after about 6 months off (due to moving, changing doctors, insurance, etc.) but it works for me, and I can't imagine going back. It makes me sad to read about other peoples' experience, looking in the mirror and wanting to cry, avoiding social situations...but there's hope!
December 30, 2007
Pros:
Clear skin, body hair is thinner on legs, arms, and face, less water weight
Cons:
My menstrual cramps were much worse, but I can't tell it that was the medication or just a bad month. I'll see in another two weeks.
I love this medication! Within three weeks of taking this, my skin started to clear up. I also use Ziana mixed with Duac for fading acne spots, and Cetaphil Daily Face Moisturizer. Once every two weeks, I use Plexion to reduce the oil production in my skin. This combination has almost completely eliminated my acne, and faded the dark spots on my skin (I'm African-American, and we get dark spots from acne scars). Before, I used the Duac mixed with Retin-A Micro pump, and it continually dried my skin out without reducing the acne. I'm so happy my doctor prescribed this medicine! Also, the women in my family tend to have thicker body hair (I had to shave my legs every day). After a month use, I noticed that my body hair is much much finer and thinner. What a bonus!
November 16, 2007
Pros:
Spironolactone works great. After having acne in my teens, then in my thirties with the deep "undergrounds" sprironolactone cleared my skin beautifully. I couldn't believe it after I used laser treatment, years of actibiotics and topical creams.
Cons:
The downside, it caused severe breast tenderness. But I found if I took 500 mg of vitamin e along with the pill, I experienced no breast tenderness at all.
I think it is really short of a miracle. I have been taking it four a few years now. Intially I began with 25 mg have worked up to 100 mg then down to 25 mg. I don't know how long one can take this medication.
November 9, 2007
Pros:
Cleared up my skin better than antibiotics and topicals. It does make you pee a lot, but this goes away after a few months.
Cons:
none
Does anyone have a dermatologist in NYC they would recommend who prescribes them Spiro? I have had a great experience with this medication, but most of the doctors I have seen do not like to prescribe it, since it's off-label for acne.
August 28, 2007
Pros:
Face looks much clearer than it did six weeks ago.
Cons:
none. Just takes awhile to work.
After trying everything it seems like, even laser treatments and chemical peels, it seems like I'm finally getting my acne under control.
Earlier this year I got extremely stressed out from school and something I was going through and it created me hormones to go way out of wack. In turn, it made my face start breaking out horribly! I had never had this big of a problem until now. My doctor put me on 100mg once a day and its been about 3 1/2 weeks so far. I am seeing improvement and am excited to see it get even better in the next several weeks. I'm taking Yaz right now also and I'm about to switch because my estrogen levels were low, so hopefully that will help even more!
If you are struggling with hormonal acne, please listen and try this stuff. This is the first medication that I have seen definate results from! Good luck!
August 5, 2007
Pros:
All pros! No complaints! Has completey changed my life (or the condition of my face!).
Cons:
None. It is all worth it to have good skin.
I started using Spironolactone in early March and by April my skin had dramatically improved. When I was about 34 I started getting painful breakouts (zits) on my cheeks and chin area. Never before had I had acne in this area. When I was a teen I had it more in my t-zone, but it was never severe- just average. But then in my mid-30s this cycstic-like painful acne began. And with age, scars do not heal as quickly- so my face was either red welts or the remaining scars. But with the introduction of spironolactone in my life that has all changed. I cannot say enough good things about it. Give it a try if your doctor suggests it to you-- it has worked wonders for me!!
May 4, 2007
Pros:
Cleared up skin completely, no breakouts, lost weight!!!
Cons:
NONE!!
My derm put me on this for about 9 months or so leading up to my wedding, because I was adamant about having clear skin on my wedding day. My skin was perfect!! Not a single breakout while I was on it. Plus, I lost about 10 pounds from the diuretic effect - an added bonus!!
April 9, 2007
Pros:
Affordable
Cons:
Headache, fatigue
I feel so desperate writing this. After reading this site and trying different things, I finally went on Spiro and have been taking it for 2 weeks. I know it hasn't been long enough to get better, but my face got so much worse. Could someone please tell me whether this is normal? I am getting really painful, deep, huge cysts I haven't gotten before along my chin. My derm didn't mention the possibility of my acne getting worse at first, and so many of you never mentioned it, so I don't know what to think... I would really appreciate some advice.
Pros:
water weight loss