Generic Name: Aldactone (spironolactone)
Aldactone Reviews
For Acne "If you suffer from anxiety or depression, avoid this medication. Even at a low dose, it sent my anxiety through the roof, resulting in really dark thoughts. I’ll take bad skin over my mental health any day."
For Acne "I have been taking Aldactone for adult hormonal acne for almost 2 years, and I cannot even put into words the HUGE difference it has made. In my early 20s, I began getting horrible cystic acne all over my chin and entire jawline area. I had used every product available, including Proactiv, expensive designer department store lines, Retin-A, birth control, etc. NOTHING helped! I'd have 5-15 painful nodules at once, each lasting 2-3 weeks and most scarring. My self-esteem was ruined, I was ashamed. Finally, at age 28, I went to a dermatologist and started on Aldactone 100mg/day. I saw noticeable improvement within a week and was totally clear in one month! Increased to 150mg/day after 3 months and have had flawless skin since. Truly a LIFESAVER medicine."
For High Blood Pressure "This medicine treated high blood pressure, water retention, acne, female/male pattern hair loss, excessive unwanted facial hair, and is a potassium-sparing medicine. It is ideal for sufferers of insulin resistance or PCOS. Although it hasn't completely stopped the unwanted hair growth, it has been the only thing that has made a significant difference by slowing it down drastically. It has also slowed the hair loss down significantly, in which I am very pleased with."
For High Blood Pressure "I took this medication for four years, all the while becoming less and less interested in sex and unable to achieve an erection. Having gone through 4 cardiologists, not a one of them ever informed me that Aldactone is an anti-androgen, which blocks muscle and bodily binding of testosterone, necessary for it to take effect, and also lowers production of testosterone itself. I had to happen upon it on my own. The day I found out is the day I stopped taking it. Giving a male a medicine, which renders his testosterone ineffectual, may be good for those undergoing a sex change but not for those who are not. There is another potassium-sparing drug like Aldactone, without the sexual side effects, but it is more expensive."
For High Blood Pressure "I’ve had high blood pressure since my early forties. When I turned 50, my blood pressure became harder to control. I was on the max dosage of lisinopril, and I tried various others but the best my blood pressure would get is 140/88. I went to a cardiologist, and he prescribed Aldactone, along with 40mg of lisinopril. My blood pressure has been perfect at 120/70 since then. It’s been three years since I started it."
For Acne "I've been taking this medicine for about six months for acne, and it has done wonders for me. I saw full results after about 4 months. Other than frequently having to go to the bathroom (it's a diuretic), I've experienced no side effects. My skin is flawless, and all the insecurities I had about my skin—being anxious around the time of my period in anticipation of a breakout, not wanting to leave the house without makeup—are GONE. I've been on Accutane four or five times, and while my skin always did really well for the few months I was on it, sometime afterward I'd begin to get regular breakouts. Aldactone gives me predictably clear skin, I can take it indefinitely, AND it's cheap. If you have hormonal acne, please give this a shot!"
For Heart Failure "Didn't work for me. Muscle aches, itch, and most importantly, it dropped my blood pressure too low along with the other medication I am taking. Pressure was 87/54, normally I am 130/70. I was exhausted, tired, weak, and constantly falling asleep. This medication was not for me. Called the doctor, he told me to stop taking it, and this was at 1/2 pill dosage."
For Acne "Being almost 30 and having cystic acne, I began taking this as a last resort. I tried all skincare lines, found myself using Clarins, and my skin improved, but still I was oily and breaking out on my neck and cheeks. After a couple of weeks, I noticed I wasn't waking up with what seemed like a thick layer of oil on my face. I began to break out less and less. My dermatologist upped my dose, and now my painful cystic acne is gone, and my skin feels great. Although I find myself very parched at times, and you must watch your salt and alcohol intake. I like this medication."
For High Blood Pressure "This medicine did lower my blood pressure, but after being on it for about 2 months, I began to have trouble urinating. At first, I thought I was getting a bladder infection, but the symptoms would come and go, mainly occurring right after I took the pill. I decided to stop taking it for a while to see if the symptoms went away, and they did. I also had swelling of my hands, and I gained 5 pounds."
For Hirsutism "I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) two years ago and was prescribed Aldactone 50 mg and Metformin 500 mg two times a day. I was never regular in taking the medicine and skipped it for months in a row. Problems started 5-6 months back when my body hair, sideburns, upper lip, and chin hair started increasing. Last month I plucked out almost 80 really thick hairs out of my chin, and I had a stupid five o'clock shadow on my upper lip after shaving. I was desperate and started taking the meds properly. Trust me, people, it's not even a month, and the thickness of unwanted hair has become half and grows really slowly. All you have to do is have faith and never miss a tablet. It really can do wonders in your life."
For Alopecia "Worst decision taking Aldactone for alopecia. Took for 10 months and it left my hair worse, it is brittle, dehydrated. I have severe mood swings. Thought it worked initially, but then stopped. I would really make sure you are willing to take risks with this before starting. Dread shed occurs in the beginning and when you stop. Exhaust other measures like vitamin C, iron, L-lysine, B12, selenium. Get your ferritin checked."
For Alopecia "I started taking spiractin 50 mg 10 months ago for alopecia and saw instant results. In 2 weeks, my hair stopped shedding, and I grew back all the hair I had lost in the past 2 years. However, it just stopped working 4 months ago, and now I’m shedding over 200 hairs a day. My dermatologist doubled the dose to 100 mg 2 months ago, but unfortunately it’s made zero impact :("
For Edema "I took chlorthalidone and amlodipine for several years for high blood pressure (HBP). The latter caused unsightly leg edema. Nine days ago, the chlorthalidone was replaced by spironolactone, and potassium supplements were stopped. My BP remains OK, and since the change, the edema has decreased noticeably."
For Acne "I am almost 46, and for 30 years, I have tried everything for chronic hormonal acne (antibiotics, Accutane, all the skincare lines, Retin-A). This medication has been a miracle for me. I still get little blackheads / small pimples around my menses, but they are barely noticeable. I continue with my Retin-A treatment, which helps with that. I haven't noticed any side effects. I do watch my potassium intake (no bananas)."
For Acne "I began this Aldactone 50 mg 2 weeks ago. 8 days later, I had a cyst rupture on my ovary. (I had a partial hysterectomy 6 months ago.) Not certain if the medicines were a part, that will have to wait to be seen. I immediately felt the oil dry and the cyst go away. One of the best things is I feel like the redness is gone as well. I love that since 7th grade till my 38th year, years of Accutane a million times, odd antibiotics, birth control, topicals, and I FINALLY FEEL FREE of my ugly red skin."
For Heart Failure "Aldactone didn't work for me. I didn't know I had Congestive heart failure (CHF) until one day I couldn't walk 20 feet without being out of breath. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was sitting at 170/117. I was given Aldactone to take, along with other medications, which lowered my blood pressure to 90/63. Unfortunately, it caused me to faint every time I tried to stand up and my doctor stopped the medication."
For Primary Hyperaldosteronism "The effect on blood pressure normalization is almost magic. However, after many years of use, the drop in testosterone has been significant. The drop in libido and desire caused a relationship to fail, and the low testosterone aggravated a weight gain problem. By utilizing topical testosterone supplements, libido is much improved, and weight loss is possible again."
For Acne "This medication was prescribed to treat my hormonal acne. The side effects that I experienced outweighed any positives. I did observe my acne to subside, but my skin became so dry and parched doing so. My face looked sunken in, and aged. I'm only 27, and I do not smoke and only occasionally consume alcoholic beverages. My libido was nearly nonexistent. I was very dry in my genitals, and could not self lubricate for sex. My hair was also incredibly dry, and brittle, and I noticed hair thinning at my scalp. My hair was coming out noticeably more as well. I was having difficulty sleeping. I gained nearly 10 pounds since starting... I eat fairly healthy and balanced. I was only on Spiro for roughly 4 months. I've been off of it for only a few days, but I swear I already feel and look so much better. Ill take some pimples and oily (but healthy) facial skin."
For Alopecia "It has helped me to grow hair back on my head and assist in breast growth."
For Alopecia "Taking 100 mg aldactone daily for two weeks and more hair shedding noticeable. They say it is not approved for hair growth. Should I stop. I was given this for hair loss due to hypothyroidism"
For Acne "Great! Works wonders for oily skin and hormonal acne. A bonus is that it helped make me 10 lbs lighter."
For Edema "No side effects and a lot easier on my metabolism than Lasix."
For Edema "It has fewer side effects than other medications."
For Heart Failure "No more swollen feet and ankles."
For High Blood Pressure "Seemed better at salt removal. My side effects were it lowered my testosterone and lowered my thyroid levels"
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