Hi,what is aldactone exactly??

PRONOUNCED: al-DAK-tone
GENERIC NAME: Spironolactone

Why is this drug prescribed?
Aldactone flushes excess salt and water from the body and controls high blood pressure. It is used in the diagnosis and treatment of hyperaldosteronism, a condition in which the adrenal gland secretes too much aldosterone (a hormone that regulates the body's salt and potassium levels). It is also used in treating other conditions that require the elimination of excess fluid from the body. These conditions include congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disease, and unusually low potassium levels in the blood. When used for high blood pressure, Aldactone can be taken alone or with other high blood pressure medications.
Most important fact about this drug
If you have high blood pressure, you must take Aldactone regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Aldactone; and you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Aldactone does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

How should you take this medication?
Take Aldactone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping Aldactone suddenly could cause your condition to worsen. --If you miss a dose...Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time. --Storage instructions...Store at room temperature.

Recommended dosage
ADULTS Primary HyperaldosteronismInitial dosages of this medication are used to determine the presence of primary hyperaldosteronism (too much secretion of the adrenal hormone aldosterone). People can be tested with this medication over either a long or a short period of time. In the long test, you take 400 milligrams per day for 3 to 4 weeks. If your potassium levels and blood pressure are corrected with this dosage in this time period, your physician may assume you have this condition. In the short test, you receive 400 milligrams per day for 4 days. A laboratory test compares potassium levels while you are on Aldactone and after the medication is stopped. Your doctor may then make a diagnosis. After the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism is made and confirmed by more tests, the usual dose is 100 to 400 milligrams per day, prior to surgery. In those who are not good candidates for surgery, this drug is given over the long term at the lowest effective dose. Fluid Retention (Congestive Hear t Failure, Cirrhosis of the Liver, or Kidney Disorders) The usual starting dosage is 100 milligrams daily either in a single dose or divided into smaller doses. However, your doctor may have you take daily doses as low as 25 milligrams or as high as 200 milligrams. Your doctor may choose to adjust your dosage after an initial 5-day trial period or add another diuretic medication to this one. Essential Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) The usual starting dosage is 50 to 100 milligrams daily in a single dose or divided into smaller doses. This medication may be given with another diuretic or with other high blood pressure medications. It may be up to 2 weeks before the full effect of this medication is seen. Your doctor can then adjust the dosage according to your response. Hypokalemia (Potassium Loss) Your doctor may have you take daily dosages of 25 milligrams to 100 milligrams when potassium loss caused by the effects of a diuretic cannot be treated by a potassium supplement.

Aside from all the information about Aldactone (spiro for short) and its role in the treatment of hypertension that Mr. Right [img]http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/jester.gif[/img] posted it also is an androgen receptor blocker. The primary effect of spiro is to compete with androgens (testosterone) at their receptors thus reducing oil production and acne.

It is very effective even in low doses. I take 25 - 50 mg/day.

I can totally empathize...except I do not take Aldactone. My face was clear and then when I stopped taking birth control pills, after years of taking them, my face went crazy. I suffered for probably six months with horrible skin and then finally went on Yasmin to clear up. My face is basically clear now. Most women really only need to balance their hormones to take care of the problem.

It took me about 3-4 months to see results. I am currently taking 75mg, but will move up to 100mg in a few weeks. I THINK i had an initial breakout but it's hard to tell what caused what. But there was a point where my skin got really really bad and I was wondering if it was the spiro. I use Jane Iredale makeup ... which is the BEST! It's all natural and actually can be helpful with acne. Go to that website and read about it. As for cleansing, I simply use cetaphil and then dermalogica microfoliant like every three days.
Good luck everyone!!!
Stay with aldactone....don't give up too early.
My Derm. told me that in most cases when you see a pimple on the surface of your face, that started growing 3 months ago....HARD to believe, huh?