Aldactone/Spironolactone, anyone take it for acne?

I have a LONG history of acne.  I had very bad body acne at the ripe ol age of 12, and have had hormonal/cystic acne my whole life.  I am 38 and I still break out quite a bit.  Big pustules along the jaw line.  That is classic hormonal acne.  My dermatologist suggested trying Aldactone.  It's basically a water pill for high blood pressure, but taken in low dosages it flushes androgens from your system, clearing acne.  She tested my potassium levels before putting me on it, because it can cause high potassium. 

I have taken it for three days now and have had a pretty steady head ache since.  Otherwise I feel okay.

Has anyone had success/problems with this?

Anyone know of a reason a bypass patient shouldn't take it?

I have taken it for fluid retention issues (as needed) and haven't had any problems. I did, however, take it daily before RNY and never had any problems. Maybe you have a sensitivity to it. Have you checked the possible side effects?

I wonder if you're headache is related to dehydration? The medication actually promotes fluid release by the kidneys so you really need to drink more to maintian where you are unless you have another disease like hypertension. You may want to really push the fluids and see if you feel any better. Good luck and call your doc if you don't get better.

I would have to agree with the above poster. Drink lots of fluid.

Thanks!  I will try to push fluids.  On Saturday my urine was really dark, so I was probably headed twards dehydration. 

If your urine was really dark, and you have a bad headache, you were already dehydrated. Time for fluids.