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 9, 2008
Cons:
Very dehydrating. Also, after being on it for 6 months I broke out in a hive-like rash on my arms and legs. The doctors advised that I discontinue spiro because they were not sure what caused the rash. The rash cleared up within 1 week of stopping.
I loved it while I was on it. I am bummed that I can't take it anymore because I loved not having to worry about oily skin or acne while I was on it. It is probably best that I stopped it when I did though because when researching Spiro I discovered many studies that claim that it causes tumors in rats and that it is actually banned in England. I have started Yasmin because it is similar to Spiro. So far my skin is less oily and acne free.
July 23, 2008
Pros:
Nothing has cleared my skin like this has, ive been on it for a while now, well over a year, and although i do still get a couple pimples and cysts every now and then it is nothing compared to what i used to get.
Cons:
The only con i have noticed is the frequent peeing.
Definately worth the try, i get a lot of compliments on my skin and that is a miracle for me. I tired everything short of acutane, that was my next step if this did not work, but you have to give the med some time to work, just like most of the meds out there.
July 16, 2008
Pros:
Got rid of my acne all over my face in one week. Oil production way down.
Cons:
It makes me pee a lot, so I only take it once a week now instead of every day. Works great like that.
I started getting cystic acne in my 30's, started this two years ago, am now 39 and continue to use it. I don't take the 50mg twice daily becuase I would pee every second, I dropped down to once per week, and it works great, keeps it all under control.
July 15, 2008
Pros:
cheap..no side effects,less oil, clear skin...it works!
Cons:
nothing. initial breakout on the second week.
The day I started taking it I could notice a difference in my oil production. It takes a while to work but after a month I already noticed that I was spending less time fixating on my acne, spending less time trying to pile on foundation to cover my spots. I admit, the first week of taking it, I felt extremely fatigued and felt some nausea (I am sensitive to medication) but after a week or two all the symptoms were gone..no side effects! Actually, bigger breasts and weight loss but I'm not complaining! I still get one or two pimples but they heal fast and the rest of my face is smooth (I am only on month 3). Safe for long term use! its the best!
June 21, 2008
Pros:
Amazing to hormonal acne. My derm prescribed this when I lived in San Antonio but since I've lived in IL, no doc has wanted to prescribe it. I used it for about a year and then moved, and then ran out. It works! Be patient.
Cons:
Urination, skipped periods.
This was the only medication that worked for me (and I tried many tetracycline products). I never broke out. It took about six months to really work but after that, even before my period, my skin was clear. I also used topical lotions (Klaron, a sulfur based gel) and Tazorac. These three items worked great. Tazorac did make me peel and then I used it every other day and mixed a pea size with my moisturizer (Peter Thomas Roth).
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.
May 4, 2008
Pros:
clear skin, less body and facial hair growth
Cons:
excessive peeing =( thurst, occasional dry eys
works great on oily and acne prone skin, just takes a few weeks to work but well worth the wait.
April 4, 2008
Pros:
My hair is not oily anymore, my skin is starting to clear, i have lost some weight
Cons:
I had a HORRIBLE breakout at the beginning and i am just now getting over that. My fave hurt so bad from all the acne. i had it on my arms, stomach, and chest. My mouth is constantly dry and i always feel like i need to be drinking something.
It seems to be working, im just hoping it will be the miracle drug for my skin. i have even taken accutane (for about a year) before and it worked while i was on it but not very long after. If you can get past the thirsty part of it i think it will be great!
April 1, 2008
Pros:
Clears up acne faster and better than anything else I've tried!!!
Cons:
Haven't noticed any although I hear slight to moderate dehydration and dizziness are the common ones.
As with most everyone else that has posted, I tried everything (other than Accutane) prior to trying this medication. It has been just over a month and I am really starting to see a difference now! My doctor said she has never had the medication fail and the absolute longest it took for any patient to see results was ~6 months... she said average is ~3 months. Now to figure out what to do about the scarring...
December 29, 2007
Pros:
Skin is slightly less oily.
Cons:
Still getting some cystic acne on chin and upper lip...a little more than usual.Thinking of getting an antibiotic.
So far, I love it. I have very high hopes after reading so much on the topic and speaking with my Derm, who also happens to be my boss! (I am a Medical Esthetician)I have had cystic acne & oily skin since my teens, I am now in my late 30's. I have tried everything over the years except for Spirono. At this point, I'm taking 100mg/day and will be increased in a couple of mths to 150mg.
I currently use Cetaphil to cleanse, Duac as a spot treatment in the day, and Tazorac in the evening. I have been getting Glycolic peels since the early 90's. I believe this has helped my skin stay even toned and young looking. Even after I have a breakout, the peel helps the blemish go away faster and keeps the skin tone even. I highly recommend peels to every one of my clients. Despite my battle with acne, I constantly get compliments on my skin! To Jenny, Sydney I would recomment having having a series of microdermabrasion treatments or laser treatments depending on the severity of the scarring.
Pros:
Spiro cleared my cystic acne within 2 weeks. I started with 25mg twice a day and moved up to 50mg twice a day after 1 week. My skin was very clear and I went from having very oily skin to normal skin. I loved it!!!