Accutane vs Aldactone
 | Accutane |  | Aldactone |  |
| This medication is used to treat severe cystic acne (also known as nodular acne) that has not responded to other treatment (e.g., benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin applied to the skin or tetracycline or minocycline taken by mouth). It belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids. It works by decreasing facial oil (sebum) production. High amounts of sebum can lead to severe acne. If left untreated, severe acne may cause permanent scarring. | Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is also used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (e.g., congestive heart failure) by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms such as breathing problems. This medication is also used to treat low potassium levels and conditions in which the body is making too much of a natural chemical (aldosterone). Spironolactone is known as a "water pill" (potassium-sparing diuretic). | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Accutane review I took Accutane 30 years ago when I was in my early 20's. I had gone to more than one dermatologist and had tried several oral and topical antibiotics, but when I stopped using them, the cysts came back and my skin was always worse than it was to start with. While I was on Accutane, my skin was an unholy mess. My face really broke out and then turned into a dry, flaking, peeling mess. (I can remember being approached by strangers who assumed I had been burned in fire.) But after I stopped taking it, my skin was flawless. Now, thirty years later, my skin is still clear and I have minimal scarring. Cystic acne runs in my family, and several of my mother's sisters are scarred to the point of disfigurement and still have breakouts. I struggled with acne from the time I hit puberty (age 13) until age 24. I had managed to get it under control during my college years but when I hit 24 my face broke out like crazy and nothing I did would make the acne go away. I finally broke down and went to a dermatologist who put me on accutane for 7 months. I'm currently on the last month of my accutane and so far it has been a blessing. My face is completely cleared up and I break out maybe once a month vs a couple times a day before I started accutane. The biggest side effects I've had are dry/chapped lips and sensitivity to products. I've been using aquafor daily and switched to Mario Badescu products that don't irritate my skin. In month 5 of the treatment I began experiencing dry skin and nose dryness (although no nose bleeding). I bought bio oil to rub on my skin for the dryness (and has helped a lot with acne scars) and put aquafor on the inside of my nose. While all of the side effects are annoying, they are totally worth the beautiful skin I now have. I highly recommend this product. | Add Aldactone review I was prescribed this for acne that followed me from adolesence into adulthood. I'm now 42 and have been on aldactone for almost 2 years. My skin cleared within a month and I have cut back to just one a day. My concern is that my naturally fine hair, now seems to be getting thinner. I wonder if this is due to the medication. Has anyone else had this issue? I think I may break from it for a few months to see if there's a change. On drug 3 months odd for acne only (doctor prescribed). Have seen no improvement. Today I had a juice in the morning pre tablet with some spinach added at the end. I went for my walk and felt really nauseous then vomited twice on my walk - the second time down to the bile. As meds increase potassium and spinach is high in potassium - suspect this casued the problem. As my acne is mild though so as no improvemebt, I like spinaqch, and Ive read the lists of side effects - I think I'll stop and put up with the acne | |||
