Spironolactone has worked wonders for me. I have been on it for years. I started at 100 mg dose and it cured my cystic acne. I now take 25mg/day for maintenance:)
@@faewolf134 Hello I actually completely stopped the purging stage was too much for me and my acne was a lot worse then when I started I’ve been off for a month and my acne is still there but not as bad as it was when I was purging sorry I wasn’t much help but maybe try it you will have to go through the purging tho
What a bloody good explanation! I'm a huge fan of how you explained hyperkalaemia without even using the word ❤. For me, it's the fact that you explained that Spironolacrone is a diuretic, how it works as a diuretic, and then went on to explain how it works particularly for androgen blocking that got me to drink one while you were explaining (after over a month of having them in my cupboard and not taking them regularly). All I needed was to understand how this DIURETIC was relevant for MY needs. And you did that. Thank you so much! Please keep it up! ❤
Thank you for this! When my daughter was 15 she wanted to avoid Accutane, so her derm started her on Spironolactone, oral contraception, .5% Tret (and Doxycycline to start). It was the perfect cocktail for her and she’s acne free! She maintains w/ Spir, Tret & oral contraception now at 17.
I’m 62 and my dermatologist put me on spironolactone years ago. I started at 100 mg and now take 25 mg daily. I also use Adapalene in the evening. My skin is consistently clear and the painful mouth and jawline cysts are gone.
Same here. I'm 60 and have been on spironolactone for years. It's like a magic pill! I only wish I'd been on the drug as a teenager. I didn't go to a dermatologist until I was 29.
So happy I stumbled upon this video! I just start Spiro today through a prescription with Apostrophe. I am suffering with Hormonal Acne and Hyperpigmentation in my 40s. I am hoping it works. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏽
Hiiii Dr. Sam Ellis! I’m back to THANK YOU because this video changed the game for me 🙌🏼💓 Because I knew what to ask for (thanks to you), after probably 15 years of acne, my skin is finally cleared! Not perfect, but perfect to me!! Thank you!!
I LOVE my spironolactone! A few years ago I was under a ton of stress that I think contributed to a sudden break out of cystic acne on my chin and face. I was mortified and so worried it wouldn't go away. I never had great skin but this was bad. Went to a dermatologist and she put me on spiro along with tretinoin and clindamycin. Saved my face!!!! I've never had better skin in my entire life! It's like a baby's butt, I'm not even kidding. It's so smooth! I use cerave everything. I eat a lot of sweet potatoes and bananas and tested fine for potassium. I do have a little spotting sometimes between periods but it doesn't bother me. Makes me stay hydrated too and peeing is good for you! I think it acts as a bit of a chill pill for me as well, lowering my blood pressure slightly perhaps? Maybe that's just therapy though ; )
@@AnnaMovsesyan-ez4zk 100 mg/day. 50 a m. 50 p.m. 4 pills per day total. My dermatologist is pretty aggressive at treating things which is awesome. Been about 3 years and still great skin!
Great video!!!! Love you Dr Ellis❤️ I was on Spriolactone for a few weeks and then my Dermatologist took me off once the acne went away… and now the acne is back but not as aggressive.
I was on spironolactone for 2 years before I got pregnant, I never had any interference with my life or with anything I was currently taking. Ie. oral birth control. When I turned 22 it was like I went through puberty all over, in my adolescence I had zero issues with acne, it was not until my so called "child bearing years" that my hormones fluctuated. honestly, it took me 3 years of going through all all the tropicals, and I ³was told that spironolactone would eliminate the issue that was 2017, and still holds true to this day. That is the soul thing that eliminated my "hormonal" acne, before baby, and after. I have not experienced negative side effects, and regardless of birth control, it still works for me. I would recommend it to anyone .... as long as you are not currently pregnant.
When I turned 48, previously well controlled acne just simply exploded. I had never had a problem like it. It was so painful and itchy that it would wake me up at night. It was horrible and quite disfiguring. A derm took one look and put me on spironolactone and it was a game changer. I have no blemishes whatsoever now and must admit that I'm afraid to come off of it though I've thought of tapering it or doin every other day. Game. changer.
I love Apostrophe's topical Spironolactone. I have a Spironolactone/Clindamycin combo and it's worked very well for me. I also use a .05%/15% Tretinoin/Azelaic Acid with it. I've found it well worth using the service. I also see a dermatologist, but states Apostrophe about 7 months before seeing a derm.
Thank you Dr. Ellis! I just took the first step and joined Apostrophe. Now I wait to hear back with my treatment plan. Really looking forward to some good results! 🤞
Great video! I’m 29 and have struggled with hormonal acne since 24-25. Spironolactone was the only thing that made a difference. It’s a huge boost in confidence and my skin has never felt or looked better! Side effects I experienced were breast tenderness (to the extent of waking me up if I accidentally rolled onto my stomach at night) plus double menstrual cycles and a patch of malasma on my stomach after being outdoors. I do not take hormonal birth control, just for FYI. Reduced the dosage and all side effects subsided. Since it can’t be taken during pregnancy, I wonder if topical spironolactone would work someday in the future.
Thanks for sharing, I’ve been having the same side effects and didn’t even think of reducing my dosage. With reducing your dosage, was your acne still cleared up?
@@AdrianaBerlanga1207 Yes! I took it down to 50% and symptoms went away after a little time. I had a tiny breakout, so now I go back and forth between the 100% dosage and the 50% dosage, so I think that’s the sweet spot for me :) hopefully that’s helpful
How many mg are you on? My doctor just started me on 50 mg but did not mention any period side effects. I already have painful periods with a ton of pms!! Now I am second guessing this decision.
I was not told anything about double menses 😳😳. I will however be on the BC patch but all I was told was I may have irregular spotting which I don't want so hopefully that doesn't happen.
Oh man! I took spironolactone for a couple years for my acne, and by far the worst part of it was having to go in for the potassium-monitoring blood draw every 6 months. At this point I have my acne under control with retinoids and BHA, but congrats to the spirono-cuties out there who no longer have to deal with biannual needle draws!!!
Just started spironolactone two days ago for cyctic acne along the jawline after discontinuing birth control 10 months ago. Also using Winlevi and already improving. Not completely clear yet but it’s going in the right direction.
@@faewolf134 with consistent use daily, it works really well. I recommend talking to your dermatologist to see if it’s something that is right for anyone
@@zeevideos4918 it’s perfect. I still take it. I take it consistently every night otherwise my skin will be oily . I don’t take winlevi, however, it helped to control the oil when I was at my worst. Currently maintaining the spiro only.
I was on spironolactone 75mg and it stopped working. I asked my MD to increase the dose but instead she took me off because she said the mirena iud was contraindicated. I the ended up on accutane(generic version) but now the acne is back. I got 5 good clear years. I’m thinking of asking for spironolactone again and now I have the paraguard iud, which is hormone free. I’m 44, so having to deal with this again is so upsetting but I want to maybe try the topical spironolactone. Update: i tried Apostrophe, got the topical spironolactone/tretinoin/clindamycin cream and it has worked beautifully. Acne cleared in a little over a month. It comes in 3 month supply. I’m on my second supply and use it nightly. Love this recommendation!
44 and still need birth control 😮😮😮, also check out copper toxicity. Paragard wreaked havoc on me. Now I had a hysterectomy so no worries .. glad to leave that stress behind 😅
I tried mono cycling and doxycycline. Mono cycling only worked for a little while. Doxycycline gave me a lot of side effects, including swollen hands in sun sensitivity. It was not an option. A friend suggested spirolnac tone and it absolutely does the trick and I’ve been using it for two years. I couldn’t live without it! I would have the most painful cystic acne ever if I did not take this. By the way, I did not even have acne as a teenager. This all happened after the birth of my second child. I was 32 years old.
Dr Ellis! Can you please do a video on birth control pills for hormonal acne!!! Never been on birth control but I was told it’ll help acne but I’m just afraid of getting weight! Can you please do a in depth video on birth control. No one talks about it on UA-cam:
I took spironolactone for years and it was incredible for my body acne. I have pcos so I have high testosterone levels. I had to stop taking it for a few years after gastric bypass because my hydration was an issue and it is a diuretic. But I am ready to go back on it and I’m so pumped for my body acne to clear up. Also great for the pcos excess hormonal hair.
I have been on spironolactone but I have difficulty taking it consistently. When I first started it a year ago, it was really working for me. I recently started it up again and I haven't seen results yet but I need to be patient. Downside is-- it makes my period really really long-- like 8-9 days. Annoying, but worth it.
My concern is that after reading all commments …most women have been under pills for years! So if you stop taking pills symptoms may return? Why is it that derms always prescribe birth control , iso and spiro …isn’t there any other way to get your skin and body regulated?
Not a dermatologist but I imagine you’d have to be eating extremely clean. I’ve switch to carnivore diet to get my autoimmune and acne under control. I was told this spironolactone pill would be a cure for my cystic acne but side effects don’t sit right with me.
As someone with cystic acne, no. Elimination or very specific diets MAY help some folks, but can be cost prohibitive or just not sustainable for various reasons. Usually persistent acne is comorbid with other factors, in my case, endometriosis or PMDD. I'm extremely vigilant about my skincare, and very careful about changing my pillowcase multiple times a week, as well as not touching my face and very sparingly using makeup. And my acne is still severe. If you have experience with science based, peer reviewed medicine and research, you know this is just sometimes the case and why Accutane is a thing.
I eat pretty healthy but have PCOS so to some extent, it can't be controlled by lifestyle only which is a shame because I hate taking medicine. I've been on 50mg Spironolactone for almost a month and it's helping manage acne and hair loss better than birth control
@@wooliewisp I apologize , English is not my mother language. I have gone dairy and gluten free diet ,also lowered sugar intake and I’ve noticed some improvement…I got PCOS so I still have few breakouts but I got it under control with skincare and monthly facials with my derm. I’m excercising and I’m drinking a Thorne supplement for women with insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances…but as soon as I step out of my routine I’ll get not only acne but my skin sensitivity worsen. It is a constant learning process but I no longer take metformin or contraceptives.
@@sharonvelardo5562 I'm really happy it's working for you! 🩷 It's just that for a lot of people, myself included, all of that may not be possible. Supplements, healthcare, having the privilege of eating a healthy diet, it can be expensive or too time consuming, or both. My PCOS does not care how well I eat/sleep/take care of myself, it still tries to ruin my life. 😂 All I mean to say is that there is nothing wrong with using medication if it works for you, and there's nothing wrong with lifestyle changes if they work for you. Often, it will take a combination of both for folks to find a happy medium. 😊 Good luck on your journey! 🩷🫶🏻
I just started this medication for acne and facial hair due to high levels of testosterone. I really hope it works because I'm sick and tired of having to shave my face every day and having acne everywhere 😭😭😭
I took spironolactone for my acne. It helped my acne but as someone who has low blood pressure, I would not be able to feel my hands and my feet even with the lowest dose. I am really sad that it did not work because I do all the " right things" for my skin (including seeing a derm)yet I still have really significant jaw acne.
I really wish it didn't have nausea and vomiting as a side effect. I have wanted to try spiro for ages but I have severe emetophobia so I just can't get myself to try it.
I am just a nauseous person in general (mostly stress-related, so it depends on my life circumstances), and I’ve been taking oral and topical spironolactone for ~ 5 months for hirsutism and acne. I actually don’t think it’s made my nausea or vomiting worse at all. So that side effect definitely doesn’t affect everyone! And if it does get to you, you can quit it asap. Hope you can get it to work for you, or find an alternative that does :)
I am just a nauseous person in general (mostly stress-related, so it depends on my life circumstances), and I’ve been taking oral and topical spironolactone for ~ 5 months for hirsutism and acne. I actually don’t think it’s made my nausea or vomiting worse at all. So that side effect definitely doesn’t affect everyone! And if it does get to you, you can quit it asap. Hope you can get it to work for you, or find an alternative that does :)
Hello, I'm a female athlete and my athletic performance is very important to me. So, testosterone as a hormone is still very important to me. If I'm prescribed spironolactone, will this affect my athletic performance or my sex drive? Thank you! Added note: if this does indeed effect women’s physical performance, I would then hope it be vocalized more
I was prescribed oral spironolactone a few months ago to help with acne that I struggled with for years and years. It made a huge difference in the skin and it even helped grow my hair. I was taking it alongside a broth control and the two started to make me really moody. About 3 months ago I discontinued it and my derm put me on Winlevi. I’m not sure what helped where and when or if together but the winlevi is a godsend now and the oral Spiro really helped I think to kick start everything.
I’ve been taking orally for 9 months now. I laid out in the sun in the early summer, and got a patch of malasma on my stomach. Now I keep it covered and protected with SPF plus use topical retinol and it’s almost completely faded. Good watch out!
Thank you so much for this video! Do you have any insider info on when Apostrophe will be available in North Carolina? I’m in the only state they don’t service yet, but I’m very interested in switching to them as soon as they are available here.
I’ve been on the pill, spironolactone and antibiotics for couple of months for my acne and I’m still getting it and it’s even worse. Also I have PCOS. What should I do? Should I go on Accutine?
Hi Doctor. I'm 30 / Male, I'm diagnosed with adult ADHD, my psychiatrist prescribed me to use at morning only. *Methylphenidate - 20 mg SR *Modafinil - 200 mg. I also suffer from male pattern baldness ( Androgenic Alopecia) , hence my dermatologist prescribed me to use only at night. *Dutasteride - 0.5 mg *Spironolactone - 100 mg Here's my 3 concerns and need ur kind intervention. 1) Does these 4 medicine interact with each other and invalidate or reduce the effectiveness of either drugs ? 2) Does the usage of Spironolactone on long term led to development of type 2 diabetes? 3) Does long term use of Spironolactone cause renal kidney impairment failure ( acute / chronic kidney disease ) I'm really afraid and concerned. Please help me on this. Thanks in advance doctor.
So my daughter has been on spironolactone (oral) on & off for 10 yrs. She now has painful torticollis which can be a side effect. So back to the drawing board. She is in late thirties.
Thank you so much. This is the best explanation I’ve heard. Although there is one question I’ve seen in message boards and that I am experiencing now: I’ve been on 200mg of Spiro for years for hormonal acne, and it turned my skin into perfect skin. I didn’t get even one blemish for years on this. Then, just after my pharmacy changed the manufacturer of the generic version I was using, I started breaking out on my chin. I’ve heard that the active ingredients for generics shouldn’t change, and they should have the same effect - but I’m also seeing other women experiencing this in message boards. Why would this happen if the active ingredient is the same? Is it best to just use Aldactone and Aldactone only and not use generics at all due to the manufacturer changes that occur randomly? It would be worth it to me to spend more to stick with the main Aldactone brand then to be at the mercy of the pharmacies changing generic brands.
@@DrSamEllis Thank you for your reply! I called the pharmacy and unfortunately my insurance doesn’t cover the brand name Aldactone, so it would be about $550 per month with the RX discount (original price $700). Unbelievable. I definitely can’t afford that. Although I found out through research that the Zydus brand isn’t working at all for some other women recently too (like me) and they noticed this with the generic brand change also. It’s as if they don’t have the active ingredient at all (or way too little of it). Luckily I found a pharmacy selling Amneal and Accord which I used for years with no issues, so I’m changing to that pharmacy. It’s so hard going through this again when my skin has been so clear for years. 😞 Hoping for the best with this switch. 🙏
So informative, thank you so much! I was not aware of the topical spironolactone being available through online prescription services. The current wait time for a dermatologist visit in my area is 6 months, so it’s great to know there might be other quicker available options.
Tried doing apostrophe but they actually denied me and said I need to see a dermatologist which I can't do...which is why I tried Apostrophe. They don't make any sense to me. So far forhims has accepted me and I'm working with them now but they don't have spironolactone and I would prefer to be on that because it treats the cause of my issue rather than just treating the topical symptoms with a topical cream. Topicals do not fix the issue if I keep producing too much androgen lol it just seems to obvious to me.
I have been on 50mg twice a day for years. I am 51 and still getting occasional breakouts. Are there any harmful effects from being on this med long-term?
First, I was diagnosed with female pattern baldness at 25!! The Derm did NOT Rx Sprinolactone and I didn't start taking it until 10 years later. I finally found a Dr (Derm) to Rx it but only took 25mg one time per day. I'm now 57 and taking 50 BID, twice a day. It's working, I actually have a hairline!! I have been wearing hair toppers because I've gotten basal cell carcinoma on my scalp multiple times. I do have a question. Can I do topical AND take oral? Oh, I STILL have oily skin and pimples and my bra cup size is now H!! Good grief!!
Did spiro increase your breast size as I’m a g-h cup without it. If so, I might consider not trying it lol but I’ll ask my derm as I have jawline chin acne and I’m on tretinoin for 1 year now
Does spironolactone affect a woman’s ability to gain muscle mass? I really want to try it, but I’m also trying to gain muscle right now. I can’t find any studies about this, but you say in the video that it can affect more than just the androgen receptors in the skin. Help please!!!
@@elasia. Unfortunately no, and I’m not sure where to submit a question like this to receive an actual answer. I have tried googling it previously, but I couldn’t find any studies addressing this question for biological women. I was hoping a dermatologist would be able to make an informed guess, even if there aren’t studies about this exact question. If I ever find an answer, I’ll come back here and comment! I hope you are able to find a skin treatment that does not hinder your fitness goals 🤞
Same!!! I did not try the medication yet. But I got a new gadget. It is touchbeauty light therapy device. I love the blue light therapy, especially which would kill my acne!!! 😎
Thank you so much for all the info Dr. I stopped my birth control because it worsened my melasma but as predicted my acne came back with a vengeance. Just wondering if spironolactone can worsen melasma?
Can you please do a video on Winlevi as an alternative to spironolactone? I've been using it for a few weeks with mixed results and I'm having a really hard time trying to figure out how to incorporate into my skincare routine. I'm not sure if it can be layered with tretinoin, hydroquinone, AHA/BHAs, etc. Thanks!
I would be cautious with Winlevi - I used it for 4 months, and everything went fine, until it wasn't. I began to have a ton of tiny closed comedones that eventually turned into full blown acne, the worst I have had in 10 years. Come to find an ingredient in the cream is mineral oil! and its pretty high on the list. So beware, you might just be clogging your pores even more. I got off of it and it has taken 12 weeks to heal from the scars ... now back to my normal period breakout
@@RC-eh7yl I stopped for the same reason! I got the worst breakout I've had in years and still dealing with the scars and pigmentation. Wish I never would have tried it. 😕
Mine does too, but it’s only once a year. Idk if that’s up to date/the thing to do, but personally, I don’t mind. I’d rather check & know to be safe rather. than sorry. I was also a bit confused Bc potassium checks are included in your yearly primary bloodwork anyway so I feel like it’s easy thing to do.
Dr Ellis, can hirsutism occur with topical spironolactone? If it does, is it reversible when spironolactone is stopped? I heard about topical spironolactone delaying periods for some women - but it doesn't enter the bloodstream, so this shouldn't be happening, right?
Hi! Thank you for this video! Spiro did wonders for my acne in my mid twenties and I was able to wean off of it and the acne didn’t come back. I have suddenly developed type 2 rosacea now in my 30s, would going back on Spironolactone help? Thank you :)
I developed rosacea in my 30s and I went on the topical Spironolactone from Apostrophe and it worked wonders! It can take a little longer with just using the topical Spironolactone but I have IBD so I did not want to do any oral medications. It took about 10 months for the acne to fully clear, but I saw major results in the first 2-3 months.
Leena, that’s so great to hear! :) I’m going to my derm tomorrow and will ask if she thinks I might benefit from going back on it. Do you get any flushing from your rosacea? If so, did you notice if spiro helped with the redness at all or just the acne? Thanks for your response! :)
@@KatrintheDiva I do actually still get flushing, unfortunately. I've only done 2 out of 6 laser treatments so far though so I'm hoping at the end of the series I get less of it. I will say though that the topicalals have kept my skin very clear and my skin barrier healed so I really only flush with triggers now. I don't have much redness that sticks around beyond the triggers. Except for my nose but I blame that on less than ideally controlled allergies 😂
Great info, thank you. Two questions, can you take oral Spironolactone along with topical Winlevi? It took 150 mg of Spironolactone to remain consistently acne free because after a year or so it stopped working at 50 mg so it was increased to 100 mg and then that eventually stopped being effective,150 mg seems to be working but I’m afraid of it eventually becoming ineffective. Which leads to Q2 - is there a limit to the level of Spironolactone one can take?
For most patients doses of spiro top out at 200mg/day (though there are exceptions when one would go higher). There’s no danger in combining topical and oral therapy, and although I can speculate that there may be some added benefit, I can’t say for certain without the clinical data.
I had cystic acne when I was young and was on a three-month course of Accutane. I had no acne for many years after that. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late thirties and was on Spironolactone for several years. I became diabetic and developed some kidney issues, and I also had a TAH w/BSO, so the doc took me off it. Now I'm in my sixties and have had a recurrence of cystic acne and hyperpigmentation on the jawline. The dermatologist put me on Bactrim DS BID for a couple of years under good control but had recurrences whenever we tried to wean off. I finally got off for 1 1/2 years before it recurred again. Now I don't know what my treatment options are because I don't think they would put me back on Spironolactone and my current doc doesn't want me on Bactrim either.
Do anyone who tried the spironolactone for acne experienced changes in hair (does it helps with hair oiliness like accurate) many thanks in advance 🙏 Can I use it if I’m a lowered blood pressured and it’s normal for me since I’m skinny the doctor said ?
I am a man and I went through all the RP ointments and isotek. I was found to be hyperandrogen I still have male androgenic acne will flutamide or finasteride therapy be good to normalize hormones and male acne? Regards😉
Thank you for this video Dr Sam. Question: do you know if Nulastin has any of the prostaglandin disrupting ingredients that you listed in the Lash Serum video you did a year ago (? ) This video : My daughter is 29 an has had treatment resistant acne. Her acne is atypical if I dare to give that as a description because I’ve never seen acne quite like hers. It’s does cause scaring in a milder form than the possible more disfiguring type that has large cysts that eventually erupts on the surface . I digress though . She’s been afraid to try Acutane (sp?)
I took spironolactone many years ago but stopped since I had rash. Now that 47 I started to get cystic acne that is very painful. My dermatologist and I decided to try again but only start at 50 mg and watch for side effects. I'm hoping that this will help and I can get up to suggested dose. But it might just work at 50mg.
Hi Dr. Ellis! I am very thankful that you provide education on youtube about skin and hair care. Thank you for all you do! I wanted to provide my experience with spironolactone, because I observed an impact to my hormones during time of treatment that you had not mentioned above. I decided to go on spironolactone because a lot of evidence pointed to my acne being hormonal and inflammation driven. I did like spiro for a while, until I didn't. My acne was still breaking through at my dosage and I started think that it still wasn't good enough so I went from 50mg to 100mg. However within 3 months my libido dropped and my acne did not improve, and I was becoming depressed from my sexual issues in my relationship. I was also taking the same birth control as I had started on in my teens (at this time I was 25) and was being told maybe I should try a different birth control (I was reluctant for a long time because I had stated it never impacted my libido or acne in the past, so why switch now?) To make a long story short, I eventually got off spiro and changed birth controls and that worked best for me - it was like night and day - my acne greatly reduced. I feel it is sooo good for so many people but I found my experience in the minority. For all those watching this I hope it works for you!
I need help. Here I am 64 years old and the cystic acne that I took Accutane for is back! Starting 2 years ago, but recently became much worse due to severe stress. So I have been on spironolactone for a year and the 50 mg dose stopped working. So increased dose to 100 mg, and that worked but became less effective now. My skin has no more oil yet I still break out. Scalp oil production stopped too. And when I forget to take spironolactone for even just a day, the acne gets noticeably worse. How can it get worse after just a day? Why do I break out even with zero oil production? The spironolactone stopped oil production. What should I do? Increase it again? I don't want to worry about dehydration with it since it is a water pill. I want to take vitamins but they all have potassium. I want to better my diet but vegetables have a ton of potassium. Could I stay at 100 mg then add topical spironolactone? Or stay at 100 mg and add retin-A? I can't do Accutane again due to high cholesterol. Right? I'm just too old. Accutane gave me a permanent red face after the treatment. I still use a civic mask because I feel self conscious over my pimples. I thought that was all over with. How can I be breaking out at my age? They are making scars, even the small ones, indented scars because my skin doesn't heal well now. I can't see a derm for a couple of months. My g.p. is prescribing the spironolactone. This is bad.
I started 100 mg spironolactone once a day for acne about 2 months ago, and my acne has only gotten extremely worse since l've been taking it. Especially around my chime and jawline. It looks 10x worse than it did before I started the pill, so I'm not sure if I should stop taking the pill? Is it normal for it to get this much worse after that much time with no improvement?
I just got a prescription of spiro/100mgs at bed time. I’ve struggled with acne on and off my whole life. At 45 I got the most painful disfiguring acne on my neck, jawline, and spots all over my body. I got bloodwork done and learned that I had estrogen toxicity. My numbers were almost 800. This was perplexing to my doctor. I was sent to a specialist. They also had a hard time with this one with no good answers or treatment plan for me. I had to dive into my own research and listen to my body. I changed everything, I took a lot of food out of my diet, implemented other good sources of nutrition, and changed my cardio workouts. My skin has improved through my new adjustments but needed a dermatologist to take me to the finish line on my skin. I was also prescribed Tretinoin topical cream. The only concern I have with taking the Spironolactone is; Will this mess with my estrogen levels? With the high estrogen, I experienced debilitating, anxiety, dizziness, and had a hard time concentrating. I am better now so I’m nervous to take anything that will put me back there again. Any thoughts? Thank you so much! I am open to using your services, I’m in need of an exceptional dermatologist.
I watched this video when it first came out, and didn't know I would be prescribed this haha back at this to refresh my memory cuz I was watched this vid for my entertainment and now I am here for serious reasons 😅
Very helpful information! I’m now interested in this as a course of acne treatment. I recently learned I have PCOS and looking at the bloodwork, I have higher testosterone. Which explains my acne woes, even on hormonal bc. Especially because I have to be on a lower dose of estrogen! I’m not sure if I’d rather try topical or oral…might have to watch this a few more times to absorb more info😆
3 months after I had the Mirena (IUD) inserted I started getting comedogenic acne/ blackheads on cheeks and chin. Are there anyone with a IUD who used spironolactone and found it worked?
I’m on merina. For like 9 yrs never had acne. It expired. Had a new one placed in and now bamm acne. I am 4 weeks into Sprionolactone Oral and tretition. So far it got better than worse 😭 seems like sweating at the gym is flaring it up
Spironolactone has worked wonders for me. I have been on it for years. I started at 100 mg dose and it cured my cystic acne. I now take 25mg/day for maintenance:)
Hey how long did it take to work? I’ve been taking it for 2 months and my acne is worst
@@lymphaticaesthetics806 how are you now it’s been a month
@@lymphaticaesthetics806 plz answer
@@faewolf134 Hello I actually completely stopped the purging stage was too much for me and my acne was a lot worse then when I started I’ve been off for a month and my acne is still there but not as bad as it was when I was purging sorry I wasn’t much help but maybe try it you will have to go through the purging tho
Did it effect having children?
What a bloody good explanation! I'm a huge fan of how you explained hyperkalaemia without even using the word ❤. For me, it's the fact that you explained that Spironolacrone is a diuretic, how it works as a diuretic, and then went on to explain how it works particularly for androgen blocking that got me to drink one while you were explaining (after over a month of having them in my cupboard and not taking them regularly). All I needed was to understand how this DIURETIC was relevant for MY needs. And you did that. Thank you so much! Please keep it up! ❤
Thank you for this! When my daughter was 15 she wanted to avoid Accutane, so her derm started her on Spironolactone, oral contraception, .5% Tret (and Doxycycline to start). It was the perfect cocktail for her and she’s acne free! She maintains w/ Spir, Tret & oral contraception now at 17.
I’m 62 and my dermatologist put me on spironolactone years ago. I started at 100 mg and now take 25 mg daily. I also use Adapalene in the evening. My skin is consistently clear and the painful mouth and jawline cysts are gone.
Same here. I'm 60 and have been on spironolactone for years. It's like a magic pill! I only wish I'd been on the drug as a teenager. I didn't go to a dermatologist until I was 29.
@@lindaraezer3013did you need to alter your diet as to not eat too much potassium
Oral spironolactone completely cleared my very persistent acne. I love it!
Did u breakout? How many days u have to wait until see any results?
Did you still get acne during your cycle?
So happy I stumbled upon this video! I just start Spiro today through a prescription with Apostrophe. I am suffering with Hormonal Acne and Hyperpigmentation in my 40s. I am hoping it works. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏽
I'm about to start on this. Just curious what your results were 1 year on?
Just got prescribed oral spironolactone yesterday, so this video came at the perfect time! Thank you!
Same here..
Did it work for you?
How are you now
My skin is feeling so smooth! Thank you Spironolactone.
How long have you been on it?
@@jackieortiz316 since 2022
Hiiii Dr. Sam Ellis! I’m back to THANK YOU because this video changed the game for me 🙌🏼💓 Because I knew what to ask for (thanks to you), after probably 15 years of acne, my skin is finally cleared! Not perfect, but perfect to me!! Thank you!!
What mg did you ask for?
I LOVE my spironolactone! A few years ago I was under a ton of stress that I think contributed to a sudden break out of cystic acne on my chin and face. I was mortified and so worried it wouldn't go away. I never had great skin but this was bad. Went to a dermatologist and she put me on spiro along with tretinoin and clindamycin. Saved my face!!!! I've never had better skin in my entire life! It's like a baby's butt, I'm not even kidding. It's so smooth! I use cerave everything. I eat a lot of sweet potatoes and bananas and tested fine for potassium. I do have a little spotting sometimes between periods but it doesn't bother me. Makes me stay hydrated too and peeing is good for you! I think it acts as a bit of a chill pill for me as well, lowering my blood pressure slightly perhaps? Maybe that's just therapy though ; )
What mg?
Can you say how mg.and daily dose of thet drugs? Thanks in advance😊
@@AnnaMovsesyan-ez4zk 100 mg/day. 50 a m. 50 p.m. 4 pills per day total. My dermatologist is pretty aggressive at treating things which is awesome. Been about 3 years and still great skin!
Did your tretinoin made u purge??
Great video!!!! Love you Dr Ellis❤️
I was on Spriolactone for a few weeks and then my Dermatologist took me off once the acne went away… and now the acne is back but not as aggressive.
I just went to Apostrophe for spironolactone this morning. Fingers crossed.
Spironalctone is a complete game changer! 😊
this is such an amazing video thank you for being so great at explaining! starting spironolactone today!
I was on spironolactone for 2 years before I got pregnant, I never had any interference with my life or with anything I was currently taking. Ie. oral birth control. When I turned 22 it was like I went through puberty all over, in my adolescence I had zero issues with acne, it was not until my so called "child bearing years" that my hormones fluctuated. honestly, it took me 3 years of going through all all the tropicals, and I ³was told that spironolactone would eliminate the issue that was 2017, and still holds true to this day. That is the soul thing that eliminated my "hormonal" acne, before baby, and after. I have not experienced negative side effects, and regardless of birth control, it still works for me. I would recommend it to anyone .... as long as you are not currently pregnant.
Hey! Sorry this is so old but did you take spironolactone while breastfeeding? Wanting to try it but afraid it will decrease my supply
When I turned 48, previously well controlled acne just simply exploded. I had never had a problem like it. It was so painful and itchy that it would wake me up at night. It was horrible and quite disfiguring. A derm took one look and put me on spironolactone and it was a game changer. I have no blemishes whatsoever now and must admit that I'm afraid to come off of it though I've thought of tapering it or doin every other day. Game. changer.
Wow! Thank you for this video! This new topical medication has been a game changer for me!!
You love to teach and you are so excellent at it. From a registered nurse
Oral Spiro was the only thing that cured my cystic jawline acne. I've been clear for months now.
Any side effects I’ll ask my dr about it as I still have jawline and chin acne while on tretinoin for a year 😊
I love Apostrophe's topical Spironolactone. I have a Spironolactone/Clindamycin combo and it's worked very well for me. I also use a .05%/15% Tretinoin/Azelaic Acid with it. I've found it well worth using the service. I also see a dermatologist, but states Apostrophe about 7 months before seeing a derm.
😊
Ooooooo😊😊😊oo
Hi, how long did it take u to see results? I am in same plan with apostrophe 6 months ago and I don’t see results yet 😢
Hi! How do you use the tretinoin with it? Do you alternate between days?
Thank you Dr. Ellis! I just took the first step and joined Apostrophe. Now I wait to hear back with my treatment plan. Really looking forward to some good results! 🤞
How did apostrophe work for you?
Possible breast enlargement as a side effect? Sign me up 🙌🏾😆
😂
Damn I’m already a g to h cup I’ll stick to tretinoin lol
More booba pls ☝🏻😊
Great video! I’m 29 and have struggled with hormonal acne since 24-25. Spironolactone was the only thing that made a difference. It’s a huge boost in confidence and my skin has never felt or looked better! Side effects I experienced were breast tenderness (to the extent of waking me up if I accidentally rolled onto my stomach at night) plus double menstrual cycles and a patch of malasma on my stomach after being outdoors. I do not take hormonal birth control, just for FYI. Reduced the dosage and all side effects subsided. Since it can’t be taken during pregnancy, I wonder if topical spironolactone would work someday in the future.
Thanks for sharing, I’ve been having the same side effects and didn’t even think of reducing my dosage. With reducing your dosage, was your acne still cleared up?
@@AdrianaBerlanga1207 Yes! I took it down to 50% and symptoms went away after a little time. I had a tiny breakout, so now I go back and forth between the 100% dosage and the 50% dosage, so I think that’s the sweet spot for me :) hopefully that’s helpful
How many mg are you on? My doctor just started me on 50 mg but did not mention any period side effects. I already have painful periods with a ton of pms!! Now I am second guessing this decision.
@@Joannabanana1989 how is it going for you? I also have painful periods
I was not told anything about double menses 😳😳. I will however be on the BC patch but all I was told was I may have irregular spotting which I don't want so hopefully that doesn't happen.
Oh man! I took spironolactone for a couple years for my acne, and by far the worst part of it was having to go in for the potassium-monitoring blood draw every 6 months. At this point I have my acne under control with retinoids and BHA, but congrats to the spirono-cuties out there who no longer have to deal with biannual needle draws!!!
What side effects did you have taking it?
um what?! 😳😳... I'm mad they didn't tell me about this.
Having blood checked every 6 months is something everyone should do anyways, doesn’t seem like a downside
Just started spironolactone two days ago for cyctic acne along the jawline after discontinuing birth control 10 months ago. Also using Winlevi and already improving. Not completely clear yet but it’s going in the right direction.
How are you now
Plz reply
@@faewolf134 with consistent use daily, it works really well. I recommend talking to your dermatologist to see if it’s something that is right for anyone
@@angieshelhow’s your skin now??? Pls let me know
@@zeevideos4918 it’s perfect. I still take it. I take it consistently every night otherwise my skin will be oily . I don’t take winlevi, however, it helped to control the oil when I was at my worst. Currently maintaining the spiro only.
I was on spironolactone 75mg and it stopped working. I asked my MD to increase the dose but instead she took me off because she said the mirena iud was contraindicated. I the ended up on accutane(generic version) but now the acne is back. I got 5 good clear years. I’m thinking of asking for spironolactone again and now I have the paraguard iud, which is hormone free. I’m 44, so having to deal with this again is so upsetting but I want to maybe try the topical spironolactone.
Update: i tried Apostrophe, got the topical spironolactone/tretinoin/clindamycin cream and it has worked beautifully. Acne cleared in a little over a month. It comes in 3 month supply. I’m on my second supply and use it nightly. Love this recommendation!
44 and still need birth control 😮😮😮, also check out copper toxicity. Paragard wreaked havoc on me. Now I had a hysterectomy so no worries .. glad to leave that stress behind 😅
I already take it from aphostrophe for about 6 months now and I love it. Otherwise, painful deep acne lower jaw and neck too
I tried mono cycling and doxycycline. Mono cycling only worked for a little while. Doxycycline gave me a lot of side effects, including swollen hands in sun sensitivity. It was not an option. A friend suggested spirolnac tone and it absolutely does the trick and I’ve been using it for two years. I couldn’t live without it! I would have the most painful cystic acne ever if I did not take this. By the way, I did not even have acne as a teenager. This all happened after the birth of my second child. I was 32 years old.
Same here. Are you still taking them now? My doctor just prescribed me the spironolactone today!
Dr Ellis! Can you please do a video on birth control pills for hormonal acne!!! Never been on birth control but I was told it’ll help acne but I’m just afraid of getting weight! Can you please do a in depth video on birth control. No one talks about it on UA-cam:
I took spironolactone for years and it was incredible for my body acne. I have pcos so I have high testosterone levels. I had to stop taking it for a few years after gastric bypass because my hydration was an issue and it is a diuretic. But I am ready to go back on it and I’m so pumped for my body acne to clear up. Also great for the pcos excess hormonal hair.
This was very informative since this is the first time I'm going to try it. Thank you so much!
I was just prescribed this, I really hope it helps my skin! I’m in my mid thirties and my skin has become so BAD, I have more acne than my teenager.
This is me , you’re not alone . Idk how my skin randomly turned
Omg I’m 42 and I have so much acne ! I can’t stand it. My Dr. Prescribed this pill I’m going to start taking it hopefully it will help.
I just got the apostrophe spiro again and bought your prequel cleanser and vitamin c!
I have been on spironolactone but I have difficulty taking it consistently. When I first started it a year ago, it was really working for me. I recently started it up again and I haven't seen results yet but I need to be patient. Downside is-- it makes my period really really long-- like 8-9 days. Annoying, but worth it.
Omg
8-9 days 😮😮😮
Try drinking celery juice every morning
This is really interesting! I take this medication for blood pressure issues so it's fascinating to learn how else it is used.
My concern is that after reading all commments …most women have been under pills for years! So if you stop taking pills symptoms may return? Why is it that derms always prescribe birth control , iso and spiro …isn’t there any other way to get your skin and body regulated?
Not a dermatologist but I imagine you’d have to be eating extremely clean. I’ve switch to carnivore diet to get my autoimmune and acne under control. I was told this spironolactone pill would be a cure for my cystic acne but side effects don’t sit right with me.
As someone with cystic acne, no. Elimination or very specific diets MAY help some folks, but can be cost prohibitive or just not sustainable for various reasons. Usually persistent acne is comorbid with other factors, in my case, endometriosis or PMDD. I'm extremely vigilant about my skincare, and very careful about changing my pillowcase multiple times a week, as well as not touching my face and very sparingly using makeup. And my acne is still severe. If you have experience with science based, peer reviewed medicine and research, you know this is just sometimes the case and why Accutane is a thing.
I eat pretty healthy but have PCOS so to some extent, it can't be controlled by lifestyle only which is a shame because I hate taking medicine. I've been on 50mg Spironolactone for almost a month and it's helping manage acne and hair loss better than birth control
@@wooliewisp I apologize , English is not my mother language. I have gone dairy and gluten free diet ,also lowered sugar intake and I’ve noticed some improvement…I got PCOS so I still have few breakouts but I got it under control with skincare and monthly facials with my derm. I’m excercising and I’m drinking a Thorne supplement for women with insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances…but as soon as I step out of my routine I’ll get not only acne but my skin sensitivity worsen. It is a constant learning process but I no longer take metformin or contraceptives.
@@sharonvelardo5562 I'm really happy it's working for you! 🩷 It's just that for a lot of people, myself included, all of that may not be possible. Supplements, healthcare, having the privilege of eating a healthy diet, it can be expensive or too time consuming, or both. My PCOS does not care how well I eat/sleep/take care of myself, it still tries to ruin my life. 😂 All I mean to say is that there is nothing wrong with using medication if it works for you, and there's nothing wrong with lifestyle changes if they work for you. Often, it will take a combination of both for folks to find a happy medium. 😊 Good luck on your journey! 🩷🫶🏻
Will spironolactone make it harder for females to build muscle at the gym with resistance training? Since it can lower testosterone.
Would love an answer to this!
Same! I’m very curious also.
I just started this medication for acne and facial hair due to high levels of testosterone. I really hope it works because I'm sick and tired of having to shave my face every day and having acne everywhere 😭😭😭
Did it work?
Has anyone in the comments struggled with libido/arousal when on this medication?
I took spironolactone for my acne. It helped my acne but as someone who has low blood pressure, I would not be able to feel my hands and my feet even with the lowest dose. I am really sad that it did not work because I do all the " right things" for my skin (including seeing a derm)yet I still have really significant jaw acne.
I also had significant chest tightness and heart palpitations while taking the medication.
I couldn’t take it for more time I was throwing up daily 🤢
maybe looked into DIM? jaw acne is generally hormonal from what i've gathered and the DIM really helped me clear up my jaw acne. hope it helps :)
Please try Celery juice daily for a month.!
I really wish it didn't have nausea and vomiting as a side effect. I have wanted to try spiro for ages but I have severe emetophobia so I just can't get myself to try it.
I am just a nauseous person in general (mostly stress-related, so it depends on my life circumstances), and I’ve been taking oral and topical spironolactone for ~ 5 months for hirsutism and acne. I actually don’t think it’s made my nausea or vomiting worse at all. So that side effect definitely doesn’t affect everyone! And if it does get to you, you can quit it asap. Hope you can get it to work for you, or find an alternative that does :)
I am just a nauseous person in general (mostly stress-related, so it depends on my life circumstances), and I’ve been taking oral and topical spironolactone for ~ 5 months for hirsutism and acne. I actually don’t think it’s made my nausea or vomiting worse at all. So that side effect definitely doesn’t affect everyone! And if it does get to you, you can quit it asap. Hope you can get it to work for you, or find an alternative that does :)
Hello, I'm a female athlete and my athletic performance is very important to me. So, testosterone as a hormone is still very important to me. If I'm prescribed spironolactone, will this affect my athletic performance or my sex drive? Thank you!
Added note: if this does indeed effect women’s physical performance, I would then hope it be vocalized more
This is very helpful, Thank you Dr.Sam Do you treat the patient online too?
I was prescribed oral spironolactone a few months ago to help with acne that I struggled with for years and years. It made a huge difference in the skin and it even helped grow my hair. I was taking it alongside a broth control and the two started to make me really moody. About 3 months ago I discontinued it and my derm put me on Winlevi. I’m not sure what helped where and when or if together but the winlevi is a godsend now and the oral Spiro really helped I think to kick start everything.
Hi doc, great video, as usual. I have a question: Since spiro affects hormones, can it cause/trigger melasma?Thanks!
I’ve been taking orally for 9 months now. I laid out in the sun in the early summer, and got a patch of malasma on my stomach. Now I keep it covered and protected with SPF plus use topical retinol and it’s almost completely faded. Good watch out!
i have started using it for couple days. n i will let you know the result after a month.☺
How are you now ? Did you notice any improvements ?
@@saidaa.l5188 actually it works pretty well.
Thank you so much for this video! Do you have any insider info on when Apostrophe will be available in North Carolina? I’m in the only state they don’t service yet, but I’m very interested in switching to them as soon as they are available here.
Is this something to avoid if you have a history of breast cancer?
Hey Dr Ellis! Have you heard of a combo of 15% Azelaic Acid and Spironolactone to treat hirsutism for women with PCOS?
So helpful ❤
I appreciate your videos, and the way you describe stuff is a lot easier for me to understand because I suffer from add
Thanks ❤
I’ve been on the pill, spironolactone and antibiotics for couple of months for my acne and I’m still getting it and it’s even worse. Also I have PCOS. What should I do? Should I go on Accutine?
Wow
Hi Doctor. I'm 30 / Male, I'm diagnosed with adult ADHD, my psychiatrist prescribed me to use at morning only.
*Methylphenidate - 20 mg SR
*Modafinil - 200 mg.
I also suffer from male pattern baldness ( Androgenic Alopecia) , hence my dermatologist prescribed me to use only at night.
*Dutasteride - 0.5 mg
*Spironolactone - 100 mg
Here's my 3 concerns and need ur kind intervention.
1) Does these 4 medicine interact with each other and invalidate or reduce the effectiveness of either drugs ?
2) Does the usage of Spironolactone on long term led to development of type 2 diabetes?
3) Does long term use of Spironolactone cause renal kidney impairment failure ( acute / chronic kidney disease )
I'm really afraid and concerned. Please help me on this.
Thanks in advance doctor.
What about when we have to get off of the oral spironolactone? Will the acne come back full force? Will it mess up hormones?
I wanna know too
So my daughter has been on spironolactone (oral) on & off for 10 yrs. She now has painful torticollis which can be a side effect. So back to the drawing board. She is in late thirties.
Thank you so much. This is the best explanation I’ve heard. Although there is one question I’ve seen in message boards and that I am experiencing now: I’ve been on 200mg of Spiro for years for hormonal acne, and it turned my skin into perfect skin. I didn’t get even one blemish for years on this. Then, just after my pharmacy changed the manufacturer of the generic version I was using, I started breaking out on my chin. I’ve heard that the active ingredients for generics shouldn’t change, and they should have the same effect - but I’m also seeing other women experiencing this in message boards. Why would this happen if the active ingredient is the same? Is it best to just use Aldactone and Aldactone only and not use generics at all due to the manufacturer changes that occur randomly? It would be worth it to me to spend more to stick with the main Aldactone brand then to be at the mercy of the pharmacies changing generic brands.
Unfortunately generics do not have to be exact equivalents so for some staying on the brand name medication is more efficacious.
@@DrSamEllis Thank you for your reply! I called the pharmacy and unfortunately my insurance doesn’t cover the brand name Aldactone, so it would be about $550 per month with the RX discount (original price $700). Unbelievable. I definitely can’t afford that. Although I found out through research that the Zydus brand isn’t working at all for some other women recently too (like me) and they noticed this with the generic brand change also. It’s as if they don’t have the active ingredient at all (or way too little of it). Luckily I found a pharmacy selling Amneal and Accord which I used for years with no issues, so I’m changing to that pharmacy. It’s so hard going through this again when my skin has been so clear for years. 😞 Hoping for the best with this switch. 🙏
So informative, thank you so much! I was not aware of the topical spironolactone being available through online prescription services. The current wait time for a dermatologist visit in my area is 6 months, so it’s great to know there might be other quicker available options.
Well it has improved my acne but also reduced my muscularity. I’m a 40 female. What can I do to counteract muscle loss
Tried doing apostrophe but they actually denied me and said I need to see a dermatologist which I can't do...which is why I tried Apostrophe. They don't make any sense to me. So far forhims has accepted me and I'm working with them now but they don't have spironolactone and I would prefer to be on that because it treats the cause of my issue rather than just treating the topical symptoms with a topical cream. Topicals do not fix the issue if I keep producing too much androgen lol it just seems to obvious to me.
love your blouse!
My doctor told me that spiro is also a small dose antibiotic. Is that true? And how does that impact your body long-term?
I wanna know long term effects too and if there’s any breast increase etc
I have been on 50mg twice a day for years. I am 51 and still getting occasional breakouts. Are there any harmful effects from being on this med long-term?
I need to know this too
Kill your natural testosterone which gives you your sex drive. Can also cause you brain fog from low T.
First, I was diagnosed with female pattern baldness at 25!! The Derm did NOT Rx Sprinolactone and I didn't start taking it until 10 years later. I finally found a Dr (Derm) to Rx it but only took 25mg one time per day. I'm now 57 and taking 50 BID, twice a day. It's working, I actually have a hairline!! I have been wearing hair toppers because I've gotten basal cell carcinoma on my scalp multiple times. I do have a question. Can I do topical AND take oral? Oh, I STILL have oily skin and pimples and my bra cup size is now H!! Good grief!!
Did spiro increase your breast size as I’m a g-h cup without it. If so, I might consider not trying it lol but I’ll ask my derm as I have jawline chin acne and I’m on tretinoin for 1 year now
Does spironolactone affect a woman’s ability to gain muscle mass? I really want to try it, but I’m also trying to gain muscle right now. I can’t find any studies about this, but you say in the video that it can affect more than just the androgen receptors in the skin. Help please!!!
Hey, did you ever get an answer on this? I’m wondering the same thing
@@elasia. Unfortunately no, and I’m not sure where to submit a question like this to receive an actual answer. I have tried googling it previously, but I couldn’t find any studies addressing this question for biological women. I was hoping a dermatologist would be able to make an informed guess, even if there aren’t studies about this exact question.
If I ever find an answer, I’ll come back here and comment! I hope you are able to find a skin treatment that does not hinder your fitness goals 🤞
I've been so curious about this medication, but cautious because it affects the hormones. Thank you for sharing your expertise on this!
Same!!! I did not try the medication yet. But I got a new gadget. It is touchbeauty light therapy device. I love the blue light therapy, especially which would kill my acne!!! 😎
@@jenniferkwok2897 I kind of want a light therapy device too! I'm just not sure if I would stay committed to using it consistently lol
@@BriseisMusic Ahhh It should be patient. 🤣🤣
Just started last week,
Thank you so much for all the info Dr. I stopped my birth control because it worsened my melasma but as predicted my acne came back with a vengeance. Just wondering if spironolactone can worsen melasma?
Can you please do a video on Winlevi as an alternative to spironolactone? I've been using it for a few weeks with mixed results and I'm having a really hard time trying to figure out how to incorporate into my skincare routine. I'm not sure if it can be layered with tretinoin, hydroquinone, AHA/BHAs, etc. Thanks!
I would be cautious with Winlevi - I used it for 4 months, and everything went fine, until it wasn't. I began to have a ton of tiny closed comedones that eventually turned into full blown acne, the worst I have had in 10 years. Come to find an ingredient in the cream is mineral oil! and its pretty high on the list. So beware, you might just be clogging your pores even more. I got off of it and it has taken 12 weeks to heal from the scars ... now back to my normal period breakout
@@RC-eh7yl I stopped for the same reason! I got the worst breakout I've had in years and still dealing with the scars and pigmentation. Wish I never would have tried it. 😕
My derm is still monitoring my potassium levels
Mine does too, but it’s only once a year. Idk if that’s up to date/the thing to do, but personally, I don’t mind. I’d rather check & know to be safe rather. than sorry. I was also a bit confused Bc potassium checks are included in your yearly primary bloodwork anyway so I feel like it’s easy thing to do.
Dr Ellis, can hirsutism occur with topical spironolactone? If it does, is it reversible when spironolactone is stopped? I heard about topical spironolactone delaying periods for some women - but it doesn't enter the bloodstream, so this shouldn't be happening, right?
Hi! Thank you for this video!
Spiro did wonders for my acne in my mid twenties and I was able to wean off of it and the acne didn’t come back. I have suddenly developed type 2 rosacea now in my 30s, would going back on Spironolactone help? Thank you :)
I developed rosacea in my 30s and I went on the topical Spironolactone from Apostrophe and it worked wonders! It can take a little longer with just using the topical Spironolactone but I have IBD so I did not want to do any oral medications. It took about 10 months for the acne to fully clear, but I saw major results in the first 2-3 months.
Leena, that’s so great to hear! :) I’m going to my derm tomorrow and will ask if she thinks I might benefit from going back on it. Do you get any flushing from your rosacea? If so, did you notice if spiro helped with the redness at all or just the acne? Thanks for your response! :)
F 🙏🏼
@@KatrintheDiva I do actually still get flushing, unfortunately. I've only done 2 out of 6 laser treatments so far though so I'm hoping at the end of the series I get less of it. I will say though that the topicalals have kept my skin very clear and my skin barrier healed so I really only flush with triggers now. I don't have much redness that sticks around beyond the triggers. Except for my nose but I blame that on less than ideally controlled allergies 😂
What if I have stubborn forehead acne and super oily t-zone? Would oral spiro work?
I have heard controversy on oral spironolactone causing breast cancer. Is it true?
what about for men?
Great info, thank you. Two questions, can you take oral Spironolactone along with topical Winlevi? It took 150 mg of Spironolactone to remain consistently acne free because after a year or so it stopped working at 50 mg so it was increased to 100 mg and then that eventually stopped being effective,150 mg seems to be working but I’m afraid of it eventually becoming ineffective. Which leads to Q2 - is there a limit to the level of Spironolactone one can take?
For most patients doses of spiro top out at 200mg/day (though there are exceptions when one would go higher). There’s no danger in combining topical and oral therapy, and although I can speculate that there may be some added benefit, I can’t say for certain without the clinical data.
@@DrSamEllis thank you so very much for your very speedy response, it is greatly appreciated.
Does it make your hair grow
How long does it take to see results??? Anyone ?
Hi Doc, I have a question that is this medication affect your kidney, and blood pressure negatively?
I am on oral spironolactone and birth control and seeing great results. Is there any benefit for adding the addition of topical spironolactone?
That's good bc I'm about to start the same thing. When did you start seeing the results?
Been taking it for 3 months now but I’m still getting pimples
I had cystic acne when I was young and was on a three-month course of Accutane. I had no acne for many years after that. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late thirties and was on Spironolactone for several years. I became diabetic and developed some kidney issues, and I also had a TAH w/BSO, so the doc took me off it. Now I'm in my sixties and have had a recurrence of cystic acne and hyperpigmentation on the jawline. The dermatologist put me on Bactrim DS BID for a couple of years under good control but had recurrences whenever we tried to wean off. I finally got off for 1 1/2 years before it recurred again. Now I don't know what my treatment options are because I don't think they would put me back on Spironolactone and my current doc doesn't want me on Bactrim either.
Cant try accutane again? I hope you are able to come up with a solution!! ❤❤❤
Do anyone who tried the spironolactone for acne experienced changes in hair (does it helps with hair oiliness like accurate) many thanks in advance 🙏 Can I use it if I’m a lowered blood pressured and it’s normal for me since I’m skinny the doctor said ?
Which acid did you recommend to help with hyperpigmentation?
Tranexamic acid
I have had acne and pimples on my face for over a year now, please doctor recommend something for me
I am a man and I went through all the RP ointments and isotek. I was found to be hyperandrogen I still have male androgenic acne will flutamide or finasteride therapy be good to normalize hormones and male acne?
Regards😉
I'm taking Spironolactone and was wondering if is it okay to do chemical peels?
Thank you for this video Dr Sam.
Question: do you know if Nulastin has any of the prostaglandin disrupting ingredients that you listed in the Lash Serum video you did a year ago (? )
This video : My daughter is 29 an has had treatment resistant acne. Her acne is atypical if I dare to give that as a description because I’ve never seen acne quite like hers. It’s does cause scaring in a milder form than the possible more disfiguring type that has large cysts that eventually erupts on the surface . I digress though . She’s been afraid to try Acutane (sp?)
I took spironolactone many years ago but stopped since I had rash. Now that 47 I started to get cystic acne that is very painful. My dermatologist and I decided to try again but only start at 50 mg and watch for side effects. I'm hoping that this will help and I can get up to suggested dose. But it might just work at 50mg.
Hi Dr. Ellis! I am very thankful that you provide education on youtube about skin and hair care. Thank you for all you do!
I wanted to provide my experience with spironolactone, because I observed an impact to my hormones during time of treatment that you had not mentioned above.
I decided to go on spironolactone because a lot of evidence pointed to my acne being hormonal and inflammation driven. I did like spiro for a while, until I didn't. My acne was still breaking through at my dosage and I started think that it still wasn't good enough so I went from 50mg to 100mg. However within 3 months my libido dropped and my acne did not improve, and I was becoming depressed from my sexual issues in my relationship. I was also taking the same birth control as I had started on in my teens (at this time I was 25) and was being told maybe I should try a different birth control (I was reluctant for a long time because I had stated it never impacted my libido or acne in the past, so why switch now?) To make a long story short, I eventually got off spiro and changed birth controls and that worked best for me - it was like night and day - my acne greatly reduced.
I feel it is sooo good for so many people but I found my experience in the minority.
For all those watching this I hope it works for you!
Did you experience the extra menstrual periods?
So sad that this is not an available option in Norway :( I have been using tretinoin and Yaz for some years, but I still get that stubborn chin-acne
You can get Spironolactone in Norway on prescription from a dermatologist 😌
I’m on tret for 1 year and still have chin jawline acne I’ll see my derm at some stage and ask him what he recommends.
Try salycilic and benzoyl peroxide cleansers. I have red acne pustules between breasts so I’m experimenting with sa and benzoyl peroxide cleansers
Yes you can, I just got it from my gynecologist 😀
I used 50mg BID and got my period every two weeks!
I need help. Here I am 64 years old and the cystic acne that I took Accutane for is back! Starting 2 years ago, but recently became much worse due to severe stress. So I have been on spironolactone for a year and the 50 mg dose stopped working. So increased dose to 100 mg, and that worked but became less effective now. My skin has no more oil yet I still break out. Scalp oil production stopped too. And when I forget to take spironolactone for even just a day, the acne gets noticeably worse. How can it get worse after just a day? Why do I break out even with zero oil production? The spironolactone stopped oil production. What should I do? Increase it again? I don't want to worry about dehydration with it since it is a water pill. I want to take vitamins but they all have potassium. I want to better my diet but vegetables have a ton of potassium. Could I stay at 100 mg then add topical spironolactone? Or stay at 100 mg and add retin-A? I can't do Accutane again due to high cholesterol. Right? I'm just too old. Accutane gave me a permanent red face after the treatment. I still use a civic mask because I feel self conscious over my pimples. I thought that was all over with. How can I be breaking out at my age? They are making scars, even the small ones, indented scars because my skin doesn't heal well now. I can't see a derm for a couple of months. My g.p. is prescribing the spironolactone. This is bad.
I started 100 mg spironolactone once a day for acne about 2 months ago, and my acne has only gotten extremely worse since l've been taking it.
Especially around my chime and jawline. It looks 10x worse than it did before I started the pill, so I'm not sure if I should stop taking the pill? Is it normal for it to get this much worse after that much time with no improvement?
How about now?
I just got a prescription of spiro/100mgs at bed time. I’ve struggled with acne on and off my whole life. At 45 I got the most painful disfiguring acne on my neck, jawline, and spots all over my body. I got bloodwork done and learned that I had estrogen toxicity. My numbers were almost 800. This was perplexing to my doctor. I was sent to a specialist. They also had a hard time with this one with no good answers or treatment plan for me. I had to dive into my own research and listen to my body. I changed everything, I took a lot of food out of my diet, implemented other good sources of nutrition, and changed my cardio workouts. My skin has improved through my new adjustments but needed a dermatologist to take me to the finish line on my skin. I was also prescribed Tretinoin topical cream. The only concern I have with taking the Spironolactone is; Will this mess with my estrogen levels? With the high estrogen, I experienced debilitating, anxiety, dizziness, and had a hard time concentrating. I am better now so I’m nervous to take anything that will put me back there again. Any thoughts? Thank you so much! I am open to using your services, I’m in need of an exceptional dermatologist.
What about eating potassium on 100mg? Should I avoid any foods?
We generally don’t advise any particular dietary changes, but we also wouldn’t want someone taking a potassium supplement.
@@DrSamEllis thank you that’s helpful because everything on the internet is confusing!
Can i take spironolactone and glutathione at the same time?
Oral and iv glutathione?
Thanks
I watched this video when it first came out, and didn't know I would be prescribed this haha back at this to refresh my memory cuz I was watched this vid for my entertainment and now I am here for serious reasons 😅
I'm on the copper IUD. can I still take a birth control for my hormonal acne?
Since the copper one is considered non hormonal you probably could but I would ask your general dr first.
Very helpful information! I’m now interested in this as a course of acne treatment. I recently learned I have PCOS and looking at the bloodwork, I have higher testosterone. Which explains my acne woes, even on hormonal bc. Especially because I have to be on a lower dose of estrogen! I’m not sure if I’d rather try topical or oral…might have to watch this a few more times to absorb more info😆
I’ve taken it for PCOS for 15 years. I didn’t even know it was why my acne cleared up. 😂
@@tatersprecious5827 😂 that’s promising!
@@raeana_mariWhich birth control do you use?
@@andjelabacic5186 Loestrin Fe/it’s generic counterparts
3 months after I had the Mirena (IUD) inserted I started getting comedogenic acne/ blackheads on cheeks and chin. Are there anyone with a IUD who used spironolactone and found it worked?
I have the kyleena IUD and the spironolactone helped me so much ‼️
I’m on merina. For like 9 yrs never had acne. It expired. Had a new one placed in and now bamm acne. I am 4 weeks into Sprionolactone Oral and tretition. So far it got better than worse 😭 seems like sweating at the gym is flaring it up