Spironolactone and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ryl...
• February 1, 2016

For Acne "I've been on this medication for two weeks, and now I'm experiencing cystic acne and a horrible, horrible, massive breakout on my face, back, chest, shoulders, and even neck! I have never had this bad of acne, and I'm getting worried. My doctor told me that this medication would not do the whole worse-before-better thing, so what's going on? Please, if anyone knows anything, please help."

• Ryl...
• February 1, 2016

For Acne "I've been on this medication for two weeks, and now I'm experiencing cystic acne and a horrible, horrible, massive breakout on my face, back, chest, shoulders, and even neck! I have never had this bad of acne, and I'm getting worried. My doctor told me that this medication would not do the whole worse-before-better thing, so what's going on? Please, if anyone knows anything, please help."

• C B...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2016

For Acne "I grew up with great skin until I was in my 20s. It started out small but got to be a much bigger issue as the years went on, turning into large and wide cysts that only came back as soon as they healed, on a 2-week endless cycle. I started seeing a dermatologist and soon tried many things such as antibiotics and topical meds, which only worked for a few months before needing to switch the meds up again. This was a real low point, and I realized how much this was affecting my life. Finally tried Spiro. I almost gave up on trying to find something that worked for me until about 4+ months in on taking 75 mg 2x per day. Saved my life! I get a few breakouts and pimples, but very tolerable and nothing like I was experiencing."

• C B...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2016

For Acne "I grew up with great skin until I was in my 20s. It started out small but got to be a much bigger issue as the years went on, turning into large and wide cysts that only came back as soon as they healed, on a 2-week endless cycle. I started seeing a dermatologist and soon tried many things such as antibiotics and topical meds, which only worked for a few months before needing to switch the meds up again. This was a real low point, and I realized how much this was affecting my life. Finally tried Spiro. I almost gave up on trying to find something that worked for me until about 4+ months in on taking 75 mg 2x per day. Saved my life! I get a few breakouts and pimples, but very tolerable and nothing like I was experiencing."

• Nat...
• December 16, 2014

For Acne "Breakouts of 2-4 cystic acne pimples on chin and around the mouth have improved but not stopped altogether. They are much smaller, less noticeable, less at a time, and don't take as long to heal. I don't know if they're even considered cystic anymore. I have become less oily as well. Used to be able to fill 2 oil-blotting sheets after 7 hours, now fill half a sheet (so I'm still oily but not as bad). This has definitely greatly improved my skin, but there is still room for improvement, and my skin is by no means perfect. I've been on this for 4 months, and right now I think I have my worst breakout since going on it: 1 small cystic, 2 average pimples, and approximately 2 of those baby bumps."

• Ano...
• July 6, 2013

For Acne "I have had acne since I was 11 years old. It is mild and only on my face, but it has always been very, very stubborn. I went on rounds of minocycline with very little relief. When I went on birth control, the acne cleared about 70%, and all that was left were stubborn breakouts on my chin and around my jawline. I didn't want to start college with poor skin, so I went to a new dermatologist who told me the acne was hormonal and started me on spironolactone (50 mg/day) and Differin (a topical). I experienced the initial breakout. I developed new pimples for about two days, but then called my doctor and got doxycycline (200 mg/day). All in all, it lasted about a week. Three weeks in, my skin is beautiful. It glows and is so soft. Ask your doctor!"

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2023

For Gender Dysphoria "I need a blood test to make sure I'm not building up too much potassium (but need those anyways for hormones). The increased need to urinate isn't too bad, and they have a funny smell to them. But I'm very satisfied with the testosterone-blocking effects. I have experienced partial restoration of my hairline, thinning body hair, and breast development (mostly hormones at work there). It also has the bonus effect of helping with the acne caused by taking hormones."

• Gtr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2014

For Acne "I would say I had a good experience with Aldactone. My skin did clear, although I do remember having a little bit of a breakout now and then. I started taking the medicine about 6 months before my wedding (I was age 29 then), and I stopped a couple of months after the wedding. My skin looked very good, and the breakouts diminished. I don't think I experienced any bad cystic-type acne then. I used the highest dosage of Retin A (just a tiny bit) at night also along with a Cetaphil moisturizer. Since I was getting married, I was very cautious about weight gain, and I don't think I gained weight from the medication, although I was going to the gym regularly and doing weight regimens. I think I'm going on it again. I will also go on Epiduo."

• 789...
• August 30, 2016

For Acne "I'm 18 (almost 19), and I just started college two weeks ago. Ever since I was about 14 years old, I've suffered from mild-severe acne. I've tried every topical cream known to man, and none seemed to clear up my acne. I started taking birth control to level out my hormones, but it barely did anything. About 2 1/2 weeks ago, I went to my dermatologist begging her to put me on something stronger. I was prescribed spironolactone. I went home and researched everything and saw that an initial breakout is most likely to happen. About a week into taking the medication, I had a severe breakout on my chin and cheeks. After a week, it started to clear up. I'm not fully in the clear, but I see improvement, which I'm excited for!"

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

For Acne "I have been on spironolactone 25 mg 1x a day for 1 week, then up to 2x a day for just 4 days now. I have noticed that I've been peeing a little bit more than normal, and I am exhausted, and I feel nauseated for the most part. I'm going to hang in there and keep taking it unless it gets to the point I can't stand it. My face must already be going through the dreaded purge everyone talks about because I have several cystic pimples, closed comedones, and painful, itchy pustules as well. I am also on tretinoin 0.025% every night and clindamycin during the day (which makes my skin very oily, so I decided to only use it when my skin felt dry). She also gave me a selenium sulfate face wash to use once a day. I will update once a month has passed to let you all know of any changes. I'm going to hang in there and see if this medicine works for me. I'm hoping and praying it does."

• Amy...
• January 11, 2016

For Acne "I've been taking Spiro 50 mg for 6 months for acne, and I'm thrilled. I'm 45 and have had problems with acne (mainly on my chin) for a decade. The doctor told me it would take 6 weeks to start working. What he didn't mention is that it might get worse first. Three weeks in, I wanted to bury my head in the sand (so I wouldn't start it right before a major event!). At 6 weeks, it was helping but still not great. The doctor suggested we go to 100 mg, but I wanted to give the 50 mg a chance. By 8-9 weeks, it was great! I still occasionally get a pimple, but it's small and doesn't last long (unlike the large, painful cysts I used to get!). Note: generic: Mutual Pharm. When the pharmacy switched to Qualitest, I started breaking out again... but they changed back! :)"

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2016

For Acne "HAVE YOU FOUND THE REASON BEHIND YOUR ACNE?!??? Turning 28. Almost 5 months ago, I got off the birth control pill. A few weeks after getting off the pill, my acne got terrible! I went to my dermatologist, and he put me on 50 mg of spironolactone. It's been almost 3 months. My acne has gotten a little worse. But I have read it gets worse before it gets better. I was so fed up with my acne I went to my gyno to get my blood hormone tested. She came back saying I have high testosterone, which is causing the acne! So after that result, I went in for a vaginal ultrasound and I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Symptoms are hair loss, acne, unwanted facial hair, obesity/weight gain, and high testosterone. GET TESTED FOR EVERYTHING!"

• Acn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2019

For Acne "I am 35 years old and with the worst skin of my life after spironolactone. I never had terrible skin but always have fought off breakouts and seemed to always have 1 blemish. I started the Beauty Counter acne line last November, and it made my skin terrible. I went to the dermatologist, and he put me on 50 mg of spironolactone, and I immediately started to break out everywhere and in places I never break out. I went back 2 months later and was upped to 100 mg. My skin continued to be terrible and much worse than before starting the medication. After 7 months, I am giving up on spironolactone and left with lots of scarring and new acne from the last 7 months."

• Acn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2019

For Acne "I am 35 years old and with the worst skin of my life after spironolactone. I never had terrible skin but always have fought off breakouts and seemed to always have 1 blemish. I started the Beauty Counter acne line last November, and it made my skin terrible. I went to the dermatologist, and he put me on 50 mg of spironolactone, and I immediately started to break out everywhere and in places I never break out. I went back 2 months later and was upped to 100 mg. My skin continued to be terrible and much worse than before starting the medication. After 7 months, I am giving up on spironolactone and left with lots of scarring and new acne from the last 7 months."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2021

For Acne "Be prepared that this drug does take a long time to work. For me, it took about 7 months to see the results that I was hoping for, but the first 3 months, my skin got so much worse, leaving behind scars. It gradually got better, but do not take this drug unless you are prepared to wait 6 months to see results, which was very hard mentally on me. I often read the comments on this website to give me hope that it would finally start working, so I wanted to share my experience as well. To be clear though, I am not completely free of acne, but there is a substantial reduction in what I was seeing before. I was on Accutane twice, and after 2 years of being off of it and increased stress my sophomore year of college, I started to get cystic acne again. Spironolactone does not work as well as Accutane, but I think that it is a really good option for anyone who took Accutane and the results didn't last because you can take Spiro for as long as you want."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2013

For Acne "I was diagnosed with borderline polycystic ovarian syndrome when I was younger, having bad side effects on my body, including severe acne. When I was 16, I went on a course of Accutane, and it worked amazingly. I had small breakouts now and then, but nothing that compared to what it used to be. I now am 24 and was prescribed spironolactone because symptoms of PCOS were arising, and the endocrinologist and dermatologist suggested going on this medication to reduce hair growth, and so far, I'm disappointed. I know that it takes a couple of months for a medicine to fully take effect, but my acne has become so severe along my chin area, and I pray that this is just initial and it will go away."

• Cul...
• May 31, 2015

For Acne "I have had acne on my face, not my back, since I started menstruating. I'm 19. I tried everything. My gynecologist put me on spironolactone 100 mg. I've been on it since January (5 months), and my face, not my back, got much worse. I got even more hair on my arms (the doctor said that would go away), and I would stop losing hair on my head (didn't happen). After five months, I gained 25 pounds! So be careful using this drug...."

• Ned...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2022

For Hirsutism "I was prescribed spironolactone by a really good endocrinologist for my hirsutism. I experience hirsutism only on my chest and stomach pretty badly. I did not notice the medication helping in any way. In fact, I developed acne, and my doctor explained it as purging. I kept taking it in hopes it would work. I never had acne before in my life, by the way. I was taking it for 5 months until I cut off the doctor and said I can't take it anymore. I am now 3 months off the pill, and my acne is increasingly getting worse. Now I am left with 2 problems. I wish I never started it."

• rhd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2017

For Acne "I have been on 50 mg for a week now. My skin is less oily, and I have fewer whiteheads. My skin broke out a little more the first three days than it normally does, but nothing bad. I was worried to take this, but it seems to be helping with my hormonal acne around my chin and cheeks."

• Kan...
• August 9, 2021

For Acne "Spiro for over 6 months, and I really regret it. I had mild acne beforehand. I’m 33 and 49 kg. 50 mg did nothing, then upped to 75 mg and my skin exploded. It’s not a ‘purge’, it doesn’t get out spots that would have come anyway, it creates new ones by affecting your hormones. It was HORRENDOUS. I struggled to sleep without icing my face. Increased the dose to 100 mg, it got worse. Six months in, the derm told me to stop because it wasn’t working. People have strong opinions on Spiro, keep telling you to wait. I get that if skin isn’t doing anything, however, I struggle to articulate just how bad mine was for half a year. Sadly, skin has not yet returned to how it was before the Spiro. I spent a lot of time and money to make my skin FAR WORSE. If I could go back in time, I would never, ever touch the drug. But honestly, you’ll know what’s right and working for your own body. Don’t be discouraged, just bear in mind it doesn’t help everyone."

• Kae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2020

For Acne "The thing is, it never fully cleared up my skin. I've been on Spiro for 2 years now and was still experiencing horrible cystic acne flare-ups around my menses. I stopped the medication currently, and I'm now breaking out in tons of whiteheads all over my chin, with cystic acne to boot. I would rather have a more permanent solution and am looking to start Accutane."

• Kae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2020

For Acne "The thing is, it never fully cleared up my skin. I've been on Spiro for 2 years now and was still experiencing horrible cystic acne flare-ups around my menses. I stopped the medication currently, and I'm now breaking out in tons of whiteheads all over my chin, with cystic acne to boot. I would rather have a more permanent solution and am looking to start Accutane."

• lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2016

For Acne "I saw a dermatologist for mild, persistent acne. I'm a nineteen-year-old female, and I've been having persistent acne problems for about a year now. My derm gave me the spiro. I was not sure I really needed it, but I started taking it. The first few weeks, smooth sailing. Then, BAM, worst breakout of my entire life. My skin was red, irritated, bumpy, and dry. My acne has become hard and cystic. I knew that there would be a 'purging phase,' so I tried to have patience. I was on it for about two months, but I'm fed up. This drug has given me hyperpigmentation I will have to deal with for months. The only reason I didn't give this drug a 1 is that it did decrease my oil production a bit. Not worth it. I will be starting Accutane soon."

• boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2013

For Acne "I am not having luck with this. I took 50 mg for one month and now 100 mg for 2 months, and my acne is worsening and is so painful. My chin has been taken over by an army of pus intruders, and my eyebrows have become a landing spot for meteors. I am taking this along with Seasonique birth control. I have had my period for 5 weeks straight, and my hormones are crazy! I'm really hoping if I keep taking it, things will get better, but I'm starting to lose hope."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2019

For Acne "My derm put me on 25 mg spironolactone 2x/day along with 0.25 tretinoin for acne. I’m experiencing more breakouts, but I hear that’s common when you first start, so I’m trying to keep hope alive. I also have 3 Theraclear treatments every week, so I’m hoping that will calm the breakouts from just starting spiro. I think I’ll split the dose, 25 mg in the morning and 25 mg at night, to see if that helps!"