In Reply to: Re: Spironolactone to treat excess hormone levels that cause acne posted by claudia on July 25, 1999 at 18:47:53:

: I have been on spironolactone for over 25 years(off &
: on--mostly on) I have been extremely pleased with the
: results on both acne and hair..I am currently taking 25mgs
: every other day..I have a son 23 and all his plumbing seems
: to be in working order..not to mention my seeming lack of any
: and all other possble side effects...
: :///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
: : : : When the acne started coming back a year and a half after the last Accutane treatment, I was
: : : : pretty desperate and started searching the internet, where I first heard about Spironolactone. My
: : : : dermatologist knew about it, but surprisingly, never suggested it to me (actually, I'm the first
: : : : patient he's prescribed it to). He was very relunctant to give it to me because of possible
: : : : negative side affects, which I have had some of, including a bad fainting spell after getting
: : : : dehydrated on the plane. Also, I constantly crave salty foods, but I try to drink a lot of water.
: : : : Since being on Spiro, I've also noticed that my mood swings have improved, but my doctor isn't
: : : : sure if that's a direct effect of the Spiro.

: : : : I'm also taking ortho tricyclen, which I started a year before the Spironolactone.

: : : : Right now, I might get one or two blackheads during my period, but they're so small as to be
: : : : unnoticeable. The rest of the time, I've been completely clear, especially the last two months.
: : : : I wish I'd gone on this drug earlier, because my life would have been completely different. I am
: : : : concerned, however, about the long term effects of this drug, especially whether it will continue
: : : : to be effective in curing my acne. If anyone has experience, I would appreciate your input.

: : : : Also, in case this info is of help to anyone, I had my hormone levels tested a few years ago and
: : : : nothing abnormal was detected. Yet, the Spiro has been very effective when nothing else,
: : : : including oral and topical antibiotics, birth control pills, Accutane, and glycolic peels, has been.

: : : **I have hirsutism which is a condition that causes excess growth of dark, coarse hairon women...I am tired of waxing all the time, so my Dr. has put me on 50mg a day of spiro and birth control pills (desogen to start although I have heard of ortho trycyclen). I am wondering about any other side effects(abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or deepening of the voice) you may have had using the spiro. I am kind of nervous and a little scared to tell you the truth. I don't have severe acne, but I do get pimples and breakouts on occassion. I wonder if I too will get the extra benefit of clear skin from this drug. I will start taking it on 06/12/99.**
: : Please tell whether the desogne plus spironolactone worked? I too am trying this but so far acene persists!
i have started severe hair loss and my doctor suggested spironolactone for it and i am worried about
the possible side effect of lowering of voice - i am a singer and that could be
a bad situation for me. Anyone experience lowering of voice on this
drug