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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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.
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May 19, 2008

Pros:

no side effects (that i've noticed), 100% clear skin for the first time in my life. Oil control, no need to blot during the day. Smoother textured skin.

Cons:

may have to take this forever or wondering if my body will be able to overcome it.

I've had acne since i was 13 (I am 30 now) and have tried everything, including accutane which sorta worked but was too severe and such a pain to be on. After going off accutane, the breakouts started again. I wish I was on aldactone sooner! I noticed the results immediately. i also no need for drying products. i will get a little white head or a pimple, but it's not like an out of control pimple situation. It is cheap ($10 a month with my insurance) and I have noticed no side effects. Though I have had more frequent periods (more than once a month a few months back) and as long as that is not life threatening, I would recommend this.
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May 18, 2008

Pros:

I love this drug. I used to have continuous breakouts of these small pimples all over my body and spironolactone has changed all of that. Before that, I tried every topical ointment and antibiotic known to man, and nothing ever seemed to help.

Cons:

None really. Sometimes I forget to take my pill since I take it twice a day (50 mg morning and night), but thats it.

Fantastic product. Wish I would've known about it sooner.
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May 17, 2008

Pros:

Less oil and clearer skin

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.
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May 17, 2008

Pros:

lost water weight, skin was producing less oil

Cons:

Had severe allergic reaction and ended up in the ER.

My dermatologist recommended this to me last fall after years of failed treatments - retin-a, differen, azelex, mino + tetracycline, clindamicyn, etc., and I hesitated for a bit but decided to try it out this spring after reading the reviews on the message boards. 10 days after starting Spiro, I started developing these red bumps on my arms. The next morning, I woke up itching all over - they had spread and were even on my lips, which were red and misshapen. Even worse, my throat was tight and I had difficulty breathing. I ended up in the ER for six hours and received an IV treatment of benadryl and prednisone. I also had to continue benadryl and prednisone for five days to help clear the reaction out of my system. I'm lucky it wasn't worse. I think the allergic reaction is rare as I haven't seen anything on these boards, and my dermatologist said that she's only had one patient in 20 years that had a reaction to the Spiro. But I just wanted to post it as an FYI.
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May 17, 2008

Pros:

much less oily, cysts have almost cleared up completely after 4 weeks

Cons:

light headed at the beginning (started with only 25mg), recently tripped and fell, mild twisted ankle, but almost passed out after. dr. said this was due to a very low BP.

Emotional

seems to be reducing oil significantly. cysts have cleared up...they became resistant to 200mg daily of doxycyline combined with trinessa (generic ortho tricyclen) and topical creams like duac/differin. i am still on the trinessa and have kept up with the topicals. it is great to be less oily and have clear skin, but 1. I feel like this drug is really no joke...we are playing with a med inicated to lower BP. also from what i have read it can cause serious birth defects, in my opinion just as bad as accutane. 2. So...has anyone been able to stop using sprio after a course of say 5 months and stay clear? Thanks!
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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.
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May 14, 2008
I am 39 and have been living with the fight of acne for 25 years. I have tried everything under the sun but nothing works. I switch doctors to try Accutane but he suggested Spironolactone because my hormones were somewhat elevated. I have been on Spironolactone for almost 2 months. I haven't seen much improvment as far as oil and was farirly clear for a few weeks. A few weeks ago I started breaking out really bad with cystic acne all over my chin and forehead. My doctor put me back on my antibiotic for a couple months until Spironolactone kicked in. I still haven't noticed much of a change in oil or the acne. Is this nromal or is this not going to work for me??????
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May 14, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin!

Cons:

Irregular cycles

It took about seven weeks (one month at 50 mg daily followed by an increase to 100 mg daily) but for the first time in many years my skin has made a tremendous improvement. If I get any blemishes at all, they last about two days a month. They're typically tiny and non-inflamed and only noticeable to me. But I consider my skin to be "normal" finally. It feels smoother and healthier than ever. The cycle irregularity doesn't really bother me, though I realize that could get frustrating for some.
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May 13, 2008

Pros:

100% CLEAR SKIN for the first time in 25 years! No kidding....

Cons:

increased frequency of urination, but this can be helped by decreasing the dose taken in the evening. I take 25mg at night, and 50mg in the mornings.

This is the first thing that has ever worked for me in over 25 years of going to different dermatologists. I have tried just about everything except accutane, I was afraid of that stuff! This works a miracle. Never did I think I would be able to go without make-up, but honestly, I can now, and nobody notices. It's WONDERFUL. I am so thankful that I switched docs. This is the first thing she suggested. Careful about potential pregnancies though. I've had my tubes tied, so it's no problem. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TREATMENT!
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