Spironolactone for Acne User Reviews (Page 5)

• Bookish
• March 8, 2016

"I'm gonna' make this simple. I took spironolactone and lived happily ever after PERIOD. (God willing) OK fine, I'll elaborate. -Age: 35. -Chin acne sufferer. -Tried A-Z of meds/birth control pills. -Used Accutane as a teen. Worked until adulthood. -Taking spiro @ 25mg (half of one pill): No initial breakout. No spotting. No period issues. Instant clearing of skin and no joke. -Side effects: I pee a lot...so what? -Not on the bcp with it, just spiro by itself. FYI I took spiro a year ago before for 5 months @ 50mg a day with same great results but stopped because I had intense breast tenderness. Boohoo, I should have just lowered my dosage but I was stupid. -spiro worked for me but if it doesn't for you, don't give up."

• Kiki
• June 14, 2019

"I was prescribed 25mg spirolactone once a day for acne. I've taken Accutane 2 rounds over 10 years ago but I still have got horrible cysts on my face. My dermatologist said it was hormonal and that spirolactone would help me. After 2 weeks my face was so clear and acne free, my face/hair was no longer oily. But soon the happiness went away. By the beginning of the 2nd month my hair hair got so brittle/thin and losing over 300 hairs a day. I told my dermatologist who said its impossible because this med also helps grow hair. He took a full panel of blood work and the results said my testosterone levels were below normal. I was 4 and 8 was the minimum normal. Yes ladies we have testosterone in our bodies. He told me to stop the medication. My hair and face went back to being oily with acne but my hair is still gone. I lost over 75% of my hair and I don't know if it will grow back. I wear baseball caps to cover my almost bald head. It is so depressing because I had a full head of thick waist length hair."

• The...
• May 31, 2011

"I was prescribed spironolactone from my dermatologist as I was getting acne along with, black hairs on my chin and water retention. (75mg) - I noticed a difference after about a month - 2 months in and my skin hasn't looked this good in about 5 years. My acne was on my forehead, chest and back. I have added in a Benzoyl Peroxide body wash, twice a day as well. I was also advised to up my Vitamin A for about 3 months as it can be toxic - all these together have worked wonders. I have had NO side effects at all. Watch your potassium and salt in take and don't take ibuprofen either. I printed out a list of potassium high foods and you will be surprised how many there are. That's the reason why I haven't given this a 10. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2012

"Only used it for 2 weeks and people are already like..WOW...its crazy how much better your skin looks. I know I wont see the full effects for another few months, but I have noticed that my face is not nearly as oily. It's more normal now, before by the end of the day I used to be able to use 5 of those clean and clear oil absorbing sheets! My redness is gone down a lot too, my acne was crazy. No all over cystic but it looked like a rash, but wasn't rosacea. And now its getting better! Yay! I am excited."

• Spiro...
• September 14, 2015

"I started Spironolactone for Acne in April and started out taking 50mg a day and I will say for the first three months I thought it wasn't working (I was still getting a lot of cystic acne breakouts around my chin and mouth). But I figured I would give it some more time because my body may still be adjusting to the other medications I'm also using with it (derm also put me on orthotricyclen birth control to help with acne as well as Differin cream twice a week) I stuck it out and noticed a drastic change in the fourth month and I'm now on month 5 and have had no breakouts for a month straight! I also lost about 8 pounds since I started on the medicine! Which was a great bonus. I recommend sticking it out!! It takes time but it really works!"

• Mandy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2018

Aldactone (spironolactone) "This medication was prescribed to treat my hormonal acne. The side effects that I experienced outweighed any positives. I did observe my acne to subside, but my skin became so dry and parched doing so. My face looked sunken in, and aged. I'm only 27, and I do not smoke and only occasionally consume alcoholic beverages. My libido was nearly nonexistent. I was very dry in my genitals, and could not self lubricate for sex. My hair was also incredibly dry, and brittle, and I noticed hair thinning at my scalp. My hair was coming out noticeably more as well. I was having difficulty sleeping. I gained nearly 10 pounds since starting... I eat fairly healthy and balanced. I was only on Spiro for roughly 4 months. I've been off of it for only a few days, but I swear I already feel and look so much better. Ill take some pimples and oily (but healthy) facial skin."

• myold...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2017

"Because I wanted results and I wanted them fast. I turned to all of the natural products to cure acne like apple cider vinegar and rose water and tea tree oil etc. Honestly I can for sure tell you I was making my skin worse. I was like heavily exfoliating every night and then putting hella oils on my skin and I didn't even know I was ruining it. My skin got super bad around finals and then didn't really get much better until spring break but then it bounced back and was worse than ever. It was the worst it's ever been at the beginning of summer so I went to the derm finally and got this stuff and no joke I haven't seen a zit on my face in so long it's just scars and my skin is like glowy just honestly try this it works 10/10 fam."

• Syn-S...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2015

"I have been getting cystic acne on my right cheek since I turned 30. My face was like an oil slick. I tried everything, from topical creams, to using natural stuff (herbs and vitamins), taking myself off all dairy products (boy was that expensive) changing laundry detergents and pillow cases everyday...it was RIDICULOUS!! I finally begged my Dr. to give me accutane and he refused. He sent me off to a dermatologist to assess the situation. I am an adult acne sufferer. She told me that accutane is prescribed more to the younger people with acne and that what I was suffering from was adult acne. She prescribed Doxycycline and Spironolactone. Cleared up within a week I suffered for 5 years with this and just can't believe the results!!"

• Emma
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2019

"I started spironolactone two years ago for hormonal acne along my jawline and neck. I also had excessively oily skin and some random dark hairs growing on my chest and around my breasts. I started on 25mg, then 50mg, then up to 100mg (sometimes I go back down to 50mg for maintenance for a few months and increase back up to 100mg if symptoms start to reappear. My doctor approved this). It took a long time to start working, at least three months before I saw any change, with full results at around six months. I've had very little side effects that I can tell. I still have slightly oily skin, large pores, some very mild acne once a month and I still get a few dark hairs on my breasts sometimes. I'm ok with this as I know oily skin ages slower. However, I rarely get any hormonal acne on my jawline and I don't get any dark hair on my chest anymore (maybe one hair appears every six months that I just pluck) so I'm really happy with this medication. I'm only on 50mg at the moment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2022

"Works great for adult female hormonal acne. But since starting I've had increase in anxiety. I have history or anxiety disorder as well as OCD. Has caused so much anxiety that I'm struggling with an increase in OCD symptoms as well. I had been doing so good with anxiety and OCD before hand. Not sure what to do now. Maybe just decrease dose or maybe see a therapist"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2015

"I have never written a review for anything, however I felt it imperative that I comment here on what Spironolactone has done for me, with the hope that it will help others. I read the reviews here before going on Spiro and all the positive comments were my incentive for trying it. I truly felt like all hope was lost. Spiro has been the ONLY thing that has worked on my extreme, disfiguring cystic acne. For 2 years, I tried everything under the sun (proactiv, 2 different antibiotics, topical ointments, gels, creams...) None of it helped and a lot of it made my skin worse. (The antibiotics made me so naseous that I was vomiting, unable to drive, even fell over.) I have had NO side effects which is unheard of for me. Started working after 1week"

• AP2017
• December 16, 2019

"I had really bad hormonal acne that started in my early 20s. I tried facials, chemical peels, maca powder, fish oil pills & every other "natural" remedy you could think of. Nothing worked or made it worse. I was told to stop eating dairy, which I did for 2 years. Started lo-esterin birth control. I also tried benzoyl peroxide creams, retinol creams,etc. Helped but still had rampant upswings of acne right after my period. Went up on the estrogen level of my BC, had the same issue. At this point, I was willing to do ANYTHING. My PCP suggested one final option before going to the derm & that was spirolactone. I didn't see results until about 2-3 months after taking it. My skin is clear now! My side effects were urinating frequently, nausea and leg cramping. It always helped if I ate something to avoid nausea, and I started drinking A LOT more water which helped with the cramps. Overall, I'm so happy I tried this medication out and am much more confident than I was in the past few years of my life"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2015

"Throughout my life I've had acne and tried many different treatments. Some of them worked and some of them didn't. Spironolactone is one that definitely works. I was prescribed this medication in conjunction with doxycycline, clindamycin lotion and tretoin cream. My skin has cleared up so much, and I am so pleased. I have been taking all the medication for about 3 months and the spironolactone for the past 2 months. 50 mg every night. My dermatologist recently uped my dosage to 100mg every night because my skin still isn't 100%. This drug works great! I would definetly recommend taking this medication for acne. I'm so happy that my skin is clearing up and I do not have to be so self conscious over it. now to get rid of these darn scars !!!"

• acne
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2022

"My doctor started me on 100mg for mild hormonal acne, and it wrecked my skin. My skin is now 100x worse than it was before, and I'm considering accutane in my late 20's. This is really uncommon, but I figured it was worth putting out there just for reassurance if it happens to someone else."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2013

"I'm 30 years old. I started having really bad skin about 2 years ago from maybe stress in my life. But, I tried EVERYTHING to get rid of it and it just got worse. I finally went to a dermatologist and she put me on spironolactone. My skin started getting better in about two weeks. I LOVED it. I've been taking it for about 6 months and I get compliments from Makeup artist and models (I'm a hairstylist) about how good my skin is. Another plus for me is my breasts went from a small B to a C! I decided to stop taking it for a week and my breasts went small again and my skin is getting a little oily. So I'm going back on. I only take one a day."

• Anaii
• May 6, 2015

"It completely cleared my face of stubborn, cystic acne. However, I gained 40 lbs over two years, had no energy, and could sleep for 13 hours a night. I still work out regularly and watch what I eat. It seems the weight gain is happening more to people in their 30s-40s..."

• happy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2012

"I have been seeing my dermatologist for 3 years and I have tried every common antibiotic and topical cream to no avail. I have been on spironolactone (in conjunction with Benzaclin gel, Cetaphil wash twice a day and tetracycline, which I have been on for a year and a half) for the past month and it has been a God-send. I recently turned 20 and my acne had never been worse. It changed from pustules to cystic nodules that would take weeks to fight back and hours spent crying in front of the mirror. I would refuse to leave the house and my boyfriend and mother became increasingly concerned. Since beginning this medicine my skin has cleared and I couldn't be happier! I would definitely recommend this medicine."

• Thank...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2020

"This is probably gonna be my last review of spirolactone but only because I can’t find any other fantastic things to say that I haven’t already! I have been on spirolactone 100mg daily for acne for nearly a year now (started at 25 then gradually increased over the span of 8 months) and I don’t have any acne breakouts any longer. I used to receive some right around my period after 6 months in spirolactone along my jawline but now there’s nothing. Now I’m using exfoliating serums to combat redness and dark spots! I don’t even experience the frequent urination anymore. Sometimes I do get a bit dizzy if I stand up too quickly but that’s never been a real determining factor to me because it’s so mild. Please stick with it if your symptoms aren’t concerning! This medication saved my confidence!! The purge is worth it! Don’t give up!"

• BellaB
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2020

"I asked my doctor for a prescription after reading positive things on an acne message board. I always thought my acne was hormonal, but the birth control Pill never worked for me. I started breaking out when I was about 18 and tried everything to no avail. Fast forward 15 years, prescribed Spironolactone 25 mg moved up to 50 mg right away, noticed a break out after 3 months and increased to 100mg and have stayed with that dose for about 8 months now. It's been exactly a year and my skin looks incredible. I'm just so thankful for this and wish I would have heard about this before. I haven't really had any side effects, in the beginning a little drowsy at times, but no issue with that anymore. I think this is great for hormonal acne and if you think its your hormones, definitely give this a try."

• Anony...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 31, 2013

"When I was a teenager I had *mild* cystic acne---mild meaning I would only get one or two cysts a month, but the ones I did get were huge, red, painful, ugly, and often left a scar. Years later, approaching the age of 30 and having exhausted every treatment under the sun, it was not getting any better. My dermatologist suggested Spironolactone (100mg/day)... My skin got worse for the first few weeks, almost like my body was expelling everything... but I stuck with it and it's been a MIRACLE!! My skin is smooth and acne-free. The only side effect is I'm groggy for a few hours so I take it at night. Don't give up on it if things get worse initially, it is a hormonal treatment and might take a while for your body to adjust. I LOVE it!!"

• Anon...
• April 11, 2013

"I started getting severe cystic acne after I turned 22 and have battled it for years. I tried absolutely everything, the problem was definitely hormonal, so it makes sense to target hormones, no oil or bacteria. I take 50mg 2x a day and LOVE spironolactone. The first few days were a little weird but the side effects go away after 2-3 days. Just stay hydrated, the medicine is really very mild. My hormonal cystic acne improved almost immediately but then did have a milk breakout at 2 months. Now 3 months in and it is truly wonderful!! Keep with it! It works wonders on hormonal acne. I now have no cystic acne or acne otherwise. If your acne is hormonal this is the treatment! I also love not having to feel bloated all the time (no water weight)."

• Kirstie...
• December 8, 2013

"I have been on this three month and one week. Boy am I frustrated. I am on 100mgs a day. I thought things were getting better yet here I am with cysts pimples and red marks. I'm also on Solodyn for almost 2 months and using Tazorac and I picked up benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. I just want to feel normal and pretty and not have huge painful ones just pop up on my neck and jaw line. Even when they go away I'm left with red marks. I've begged my Dermatologist to raise my spironolactone but he won't. I'm so confused on what to do. And I just thought I'd have better skin by now. Without make up all I want to do is hide and cry. And the pain from the big ones. I am 26 with a four year old and should be enjoying life and instead I feel depressed and defeated."

• rosey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2022

"This medication made me feel the most tired that I have ever felt in my entire life. I was only on 25mg for 3-4 weeks. Felt like I was hungover and in a daze. My body aches of fatigue and I could hardly get off the couch. Napped on and off all day. Mental health took a nosedive because I was so tired. I have never experienced such fatigue, and I have been on many meds that cause this level of drowsiness (including antipsychotics and literal sleep meds). I was also so thirsty and had to pee all of the time (aka getting up like 3-5x a night, getting bad sleep as a result) no matter how much I drank it would not quench my thirst. Not sure what a higher dose would've done for my acne but I would try Accutane before this..."

• bluew...
• August 23, 2010

"I've been on this medicine off and on for almost a year now. After I am on it for a few weeks, my joints start to hurt really bad. I think it is because of the diuretic nature of the drug. It doesn't stop the black heads. It also makes me get up in the night to pee. My Dermatologist says he has never heard of the joint pain being a problem and refused to believe its the spironolactone causing it. But after starting and stopping the medicine three times, I am sure it's the cause."

• Tash
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

"UPDATE: Been on the Spiro for 2 weeks now and the side effects are awful! I feel so tired most of the time with absolutely zero energy. I was hoping this medication would be right for me and that I could stick with it but I don't know about that anymore. I am nauseous most of the day and I'm actually supposed to take 50 mg b.i.d (twice daily) but I just can't. So it looks like I will be going on accutane in the near future. I have noticed breast tenderness and they do feel fuller but I can't handle the "no energy" part. It works for some people I guess but definitely not for me. I'm sure it takes a while to see results too, like I said, I'm 2 weeks in and my face is worse now than before. Good luck to the rest of you. I hope it works for you."