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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February 14, 2009

Pros:

So far so good. I havent been on it long enough yet though

Cons:

Little lightheadedness at first, peeing like seabiscuit, tired

Ive been on spironolactone for almost a week. So i havent been on it long enough yet to see any results. Im taking 100 mg of spironolactone, 100 mg of monodox (doxycycline), and levoclen-4 facewash (brevoxyl-4, benzyl peroxide). Ive been going to doctors for this since i was about 12 and im now 20, still struggling. I must say though...after 2 days it seemed like my whole back cleared up!! it was amazing haha. But im really hoping this works. Im worried about side effects...very worried actually. but i havent really had any yet so im hoping its ok. my doctor didnt say anything about blood tests or anything, im going to check my blood pressure at school. i read in the side effects to keep your potassium intake low...i think thats the hardest so far. but other than peeing atleast every hour and ive been more tired...its been good =]
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January 28, 2009

Pros:

Cheap
Internally changes hormonal balance, working from the inside out

Cons:

Length of time it takes for effectiveness

I have been on this for approximately three weeks, and the first week was fine, alot of the acne started to fade, but now my breakout is uncontrollable. I am having large cystic pimples on my forehead, which I never had before. It is red and fluidy. However, it has cleared up my left side of my face and that part is completely clear. I know that it has been only 3 weeks, but my forehead is scaring me. Did anyone have the same issues as me when they started taking spiro? I am on 100 mg and take doxcycline too. I also take fish oil, ACV, and drink lots of water. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts haesook77@[link removed]
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January 23, 2009

Pros:

I've been using for one week...and have noticed a difference already.

Cons:

Urinate more frequently, and it seems that as soon as I eat...I have to ease toward the ladies room for a few minutes :( I also have experienced dizziness and I'm a little tired, but not exhausted...also a dry scalp and breast tenderness.

I am on 100mg a day and it seems to be working. I never had acne until now, and I am 25. Its all hormonal, that's what the Derm said....I tried ProActiv, and countless others for the past six months with no success. I have cyst like acne and it is very painful. Since I began taking this a little over a week ago, I have noticed VERY dry skin...but my moisturizer is taking care of it. If you take this med and it doesn't work, try Clyndimicin. It seems to work wonders for others that I know...I have also noticed my sun spots fading.. I am satisfied so far, but can't wait to see my skin actually clear up. I believe this will work and am willing to give it a fair chance.
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January 20, 2009

Pros:

Well, it hasn't made my skin worse yet! (Knock on wood?) They say it takes time, so I am waiting patiently!

Cons:

You need to stay consistent with how much water you're drinking, it's so easy to get dehydrated. The only con I can complain about is the fact that it's severely drying my eyes to the point where it's hard to wear contacts.

I have PCOS and I'm taking Spiro for my acne and facial hair. Everyone warns that it may take a few months to work. So far, nothing has really changed acne-wise, I always have at least one or two flared up pimples on my face. I've noticed that my scars are getting lighter and my skin is beginning to get really dried up and I'm having to use my moisturizer more often. Breasts have been beginning to noticeably grow since I began taking the full 100mg once instead of 50 twice a day... Two things: 1. The "peeing often" went away in about a week. 2. I heard that men should not take this because it blocks androgen and can cause breast growth (something that I absolutely love about this, but I don't think men would appreciate it as much...)
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January 8, 2009

Pros:

makes skin less oily

Cons:

headaches, dizziness, slow thought process, tiredness

I've been on Minocycline, which is an antibiotic, for the past year and a half and my dermatologist wanted to get me off it. He prescribed Spiro about a month ago and all I can say is that I've been having somewhat severe side effects. He told me that there were no side effects but I've just been feeling horrible lately. I'll get really tired and dizzy and I won't be able to think clearly at times. I'll keep taking it in hope that the side effects loosen up within the next few weeks.
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January 7, 2009

Pros:

This does not work right away!! I have lost weight as well.

Cons:

do use the restroom frequently

I have been using spironlactone for over a month and not have seen any improvement in my skin. I read other reviews and they said it can take 2-4 months before you can see a difference in your skin. I am not sure if it gets worse before it gets better, but my skin is breaking out bad now, like back when I was a teenager. I think I just need to give it a little more time. Just wanted to give others a heads up...that this does not work right away.
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October 25, 2008

Pros:

Does clear up your skin, but takes about two months. Still get cystic acne on occasion. Boobs have gotten a little bigger, and it kinda helps with cramps. skin not as oily, almost a little to dry.

Cons:

Its like i have a baby bladder now, you will pee all the time.Boobs may be bigger, but they hurt like a b!*@h! when i first started the meds i got a little shaky, like i had to much coffee.

My skin is not where i want it to be yet, but i know these things take time. There is no such thing as a miracle acne pill, i just have to remember that. But i can see results, and others have noticed as well. I have been taking 50 mg a day for two months, and was just raised to 100 mg a day. So i'll just have to see how it all works out. Good luck to all of you taking or thinking about taking Spiro.
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October 8, 2008

Pros:

it seemed to work after the first few months, i was on 100mg once a day, but after about 9 months my acne came back almost as bad as it was before.

Cons:

i didn't notice any side effects, i always had to pee alot though

for me it was effective for awhile, but even after my acne got worse after the first 9/10 months my derm. upped my dose to 100mg twice a day(which seems super high), and that didn't even seem to have any effect. i am scared to go off it now though, in case my skin goes haywire. i also worry about the side effects even though i don't feel any different.
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October 2, 2008

Pros:

haven't had enough time yet! I've heard it takes a while to notice good results.

Cons:

irregular periods, a little dizziness due to dehydration

I'm 19. I've broken out since middle school but nothing serious. It wasn't until I turned 19 that my acne became moderate -severe. I started getting cysts, and as soon as they would heal, more would flare up. Not to mention they would leave marks. I went to my dermatologist and he took one look at me and knew it was hormonal. I started Spironolactone at 25mg twice daily a month ago. I noticed a change in my hormones but it seemed like I was breaking out just as bad as when I started. I went back to the dermatologist today (6 weeks later) and he has now increased my dose to 75mg twice daily. I'm hoping I just need to give it more time! I'll keep updating. Additional note- My dermatologists strongly suggested I get off ALL dairy and any foods containing 'whey' and 'casein' He said there is a STRONG link between hormonal acne and dairy products that many people don't know about. He also said there is a STRONG link between dairy and cancers such as Breast & Prostate.
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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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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.
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