I have been taking aldactone 50 mg a day for almost 3 months for acne. I have noticed some improvement, however, I thought I would have fewer breakouts. I have noticed that I've almost gained 10 pounds without changing anything in my daily diet and exercise routine? Will the extra pounds be lost once my body adjusts or will I continue to gain more weight the longer I take the drug? I want clear skin, but not at the cost of a nice figure I've worked hard on!
Spironolactone - Will weight gain with aldactone usage go away once the body adjusts?
Question posted by Dawn E on 9 April 2014
Last updated on 26 March 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
63 Answers Page 2
PrincessIndigo
10 July 2020
Another spironolactone "victim" here.
When I started Spiro, I was 133 lbs. Slowly, I crept up to 136 lbs. I didn't think much of it, but I was reading these forums and I was somewhat aware that people believed there was a correlation. Still, I have PMDD and the Spiro was helping to balance my mood swings, so I shrugged off the 3 lb gain and continued on. Suddenly, from November 2019 - March 2020, I gained 9 more lbs, putting me at 145 lbs. I stopped immediately, although stopping caused horrible emotions/changes in mood.
I work out constantly, eat the way I used to eat, and no changes. I even had a few days where I was sick and didn't consume more than 500 calories in a day. The weight didn't fluctuate. My gynecologist seemed skeptical of Spiro as the cause of weight gain and suggested a thyroid test. It came back in perfect condition! I've only heard one person on here say they eventually lost the weight, and that scares me. The weight is all in my stomach and thighs. I'm done with Spiro!
Missywest
10 July 2020
This thread is is very discouraging but also validates what I’m going through. I have always been tall and lean, with a natural “thigh gap” and toned physique without having to exercise very regularly. Yes, lucky me, but I also have had acne since I was 10 years old, so I started Spiro 5 months ago.
My body is a mess at the moment, I don’t even recognize it! Even when I’ve gained weight in the past due to lifestyle changes, I didn’t have dense, thick thighs and the bloated belly which I’m currently sporting. Done with this med permanently!!!
I’m wondering if there’s a supplement to undo the effects of spiro and help shed the pounds faster...
Urramariana
1 July 2020
Hey everyone!
So I took Spironolactone 50 mg daily for hormonal acne for about 4 months. I did gain weight and talk to my Dr about It and she told me it was not a side effect. I started talking this med at the beginning of the COVID-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 19 pandemic so I was home eating a lot and not doing any activities so I blame it on that. The odd thing is that the more I read here the more i see the similarities. My legs, thighs and belly are the biggest it has even been. Just odd that most people here also saw weight gain on the same areas. I also experienced decrease libido. I Stop the med 2 weeks ago because I had exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis for the second time in a 2 year period, and my dr doesn’t want me on it anymore since it dehydrates me and I could have Rhabdo again.
My question to all of you that stop taking it how did you feel emotionally once you stoped it?? When I was on it my face was much better and my mood was good, positive as I am normally but a bit more. Now that I stoped I feel kinda down, sad , not motivated , I want to be by myself kinda feeling . Has anyone experienced that once stopping the med ??
Also hoping a drop the extra pounds and bloating now that I’m not longer on it.
Beanyboo
26 June 2020
Hi there. I began taking spiro in March 2020 for cystic and hormonal acne. I echo everyone else’s sentiments who say they noticed sizable differences in their weight after taking spiro. I have a smaller frame. 5’3”, typically 110 lbs. I did not weigh myself while taking spiro, but within two months, my boobs grew one cup size and my arms, face, and back had gained weight and took on a swollen appearance. When it started weighing on my self-esteem, I stopped taking it and immediately threw it out. In the two weeks that it’s been since I stopped taking spiro, I’ve been doing 10 minute arm workouts and I’ve noticed a reduction in my weight. My body seems to respond really well to being off spiro and I am noticeably losing the fat that accumulated from the spiro (thank goodness).
I also want to add that I believe I am estrogen dominant. Even before taking spiro, I had estrogen dominant features. I’m assuming that since spiro blocks the production of testosterone, it causes your body to rely more on estrogen, thereby increasing the production of estrogen.
Maddie98
1 July 2020
I'm in the same boat. I started taking spiro (25mg) in late April. My dosage was bumped to 50mg a month later, and now I've almost reached the 3rd month. I had a period in May, and then had intermenstrual bleeding two weeks later! I also noticed the weight gain/swollenness happened rapidly. In the past couple weeks I noticed my upper arms are thickly and my stomach feels wider. My thighs rub together a bit more as well. I'm 4'11 and have been weighing around 100 lbs for almost a year. I haven't kept track of my weight, but I weighed myself today and I'm 110 lbs. I know I'm not imagining that this weight came on rapidly. I told my dermatologist, and she said weight gain usually doesn't happen with spiro. Honestly, I'm probably becoming estrogen dominant, too. Even before spiro, I had my hormone levels tested. I was told my testosterone was normal... but it was on the LOW side of normal. It makes sense why spiro affected us like this.
I wish the derm knew more about the med. This is disappointing. I should've just asked about Accutane. Then I would've already been about 3 months in!
Mding98
25 June 2020
I had been on Spironolactone for more than 4 yrs. Gained over 15 lbs. Weight doesn't come off after stopping for 3 months even with strict diet and workout. I wish I knew.☹
jlucio1
24 April 2020
I'm so upset too. I started to take this Med just over 2.5 years ago on 100mg and then was lowered to 50mg a year ago. And yes my skin cleared up but I put on 20lbs. I'm so pissed as neither of the 2 Dermatologists I used said it could or world.
My breasts had got much bigger and I couldn't afford bigger so I decided to stop 2 weeks ago after a friend told me that's a side affect.
Only now after finding this blog I read it can cause weight gain And most likely breasts growing is really weight gain? Omg I wish I read this 2 years ago and I wouldn't have started it.
But.. I feel more bloated in my belly since I stopped might be just a coincidence but that's why I looked up the Med and found this thread.
Any one have any help or idea on if this weight gain is easy/hard to lose once you stop?
I will never take a Med again without knowing it inside out. Live and learn
SK38
24 April 2020
I went off of spironolactone about 4 weeks ago after I finally put two and two together about weight gain and a large belly that I don't even recognize. I'm at my heaviest ever after being on spironolactone for 3 years. I stopped taking it and felt bloated and gassy too. I also put on about 5 more pounds but being in quarantine is not helping. However, I do exercise about 4 times a week but still nothing is helping with my weight gain. So this past week I went on a pretty restricted diet and I feel a lot better. It is just a 7 day thing to kick start some weight loss (I haven't gotten on the scale yet) but my stomach feels flatter and I dont feel as bloated or gassy. I'm hoping this is a start in the right direction.
As far as my skin goes- I started using tretinoin right around the time I stopped spironolactone. I've had some breakouts that I assumed are part of the purging process with tretinoin but so far no large cystic acne.
My theory is that between the spironolactone, an androgen blocker, and also being on the birth control pill, that I may have too much estrogen causing me to have an "estrogen belly." I am hoping as my testosterone levels pick up, weight loss will come easier? But I dont know? My next step is to go off of birth control in a few months (which was something I was planning on doing anyway). I feel your pain and frustration.
dlainemaine
9 March 2020
This thread has officially freaked me out. I’ve been on spiro for 4 years for cystic acne, it perfectly cleared up my skin in a matter of weeks. Over the last 18 months I’ve gained 30 lbs from 125-155. I am incredibly athletic, I run, lift, ski, spin, yoga almost every day of the week and eat clean (GF, DF) and have been SO frustrated about this unexplained weight gain. It’s weird since I was on spiro for years and never gained a poind but these last 18 months have been terrible watching my body change and grow before my eyes. I am insanely bloated, all of my clothes are uncomfortable, and my drs insist it’s not from Spiro. This is the first thread where I found people who share my theory!
Throwing them away immediately and hope to start the recovery and weight loss process to get my life back. Has anyone found any good suggestions to assist with the weight loss after spiro?
Really wish my dr shared this with me when I started complaining about the insane bloat and weight gain last year.
SK38
24 April 2020
Curious if you have had any luck losing weight since stopping? I stopped around mid -March and felt extremely bloated and gassy. I also put on about 5 more pounds but recently put myself on a very restricted diet and am feeling much better and stomach is getting flatter.
I was on spiro for 3 years and over the past 6-9 months my stomach just got to a place that I do not even recognize my body. I am at my heaviest weight ever and I exercise regularly. After I put two and two together about spiro and weight gain/ belly, i stopped.
SK38
24 April 2020
Curious if you have had any luck losing weight since stopping? I stopped around mid -March and felt extremely bloated and gassy. I also put on about 5 more pounds but recently put myself on a very restricted diet and am feeling much better and stomach is getting flatter.
I was on spiro for 3 years and over the past 6-9 months my stomach just got to a place that I do not even recognize my body. I am at my heaviest weight ever and I exercise regularly. After I put two and two together about spiro and weight gain/ belly, i stopped.
shanidp
4 March 2020
I started taking spironolactone 25 mg daily for 5 weeks now, for hormonal hair loss and acne. I am a bit afraid from all the responses here about the weight gain since I did notice a bit of weight gain the past weeks. i dont know if to stop the medication or not cause I'm losing so much hair I am getting bold but the weight is also horrible dont know what to do and my endocrinologist doesn't understand. Any help?
Rkoac1
28 Jan 2020
EFFECT ON A MALE - Ive been 62-64kg (140 pounds) my entire life from high school to 42 years old. I could eat junk food and everything, but not put on any weight no matter how hard I tried. In walks spironolactone 25mg daily. At first it gave me very sensitive nipples and I began to get swelling in my breasts. You could brush against my breasts and I would be in pain! I also encountered a weird moisture almost sticky head of the penis that smelt a bit fishy for weeks. It was dicusting and I pleaded with my doctor for me to stop taking it. My cardiologist also said it was good for the heart and dispelling any fluid retention. Therefore I continued to take it and those symptoms disappeared within a couple of months.
I noticed I started developing, for the first time in my entire life, a bit of bloating and a round belly. I would track my weight daily and saw it climb little by little without any change to my lifestyle or diet. I then began eating healthier but the weight kept coming. This experience was new to me! I had NEVER been able to gain weight my entire life. Within 12 months on 25mg Spiro daily, I shot up from 62-64kg (140lb) to 73-75kg (165lb). That was a massive 12-13kg (27lb) gain in one year.
My tummy had turned into a round ball. I had rolls of belly fat on it and developed "love handles" on the side of my waist. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes for the extra gain. Even now I'm still on Spiro and averaging a gain of 1kg (2lb) a month!!! This is from a man who through his entire life was called too skinny, a rake, a walking stick!!
Sure my acne and mild fluid retention symptoms have cured but at the expense of gaining weight and continuing to gain weight whilst on this Spiro!!
I'm over it as it is unhealthy and not good for the heart. My belly looks like Im a starving malnutritioned child in Africa!! And its not flab... it feels firmish and tough like an enlarged muscle and not as squishy or flappy as excess fatty lard.
After reading everyones comments you have confirmed what I have suspected all along. Spiro is the cause of it. Im going to get off this crap before I hit 80kg (176lb).
Thankyou.
Jenb77
15 Jan 2020
Stop taking it now. The weight gain and mood changes are not worth the clear skin. I got off because I was gaining weight and feeling lethargic and blue. As soon as I got off it’s like I got my brain back and I stopped being so bloated. Weight slowly coming off but you could legitimately not pay me to ever take it again.
jpie78
15 Jan 2020
Started taking spiro in January and by August had gained About 7% of my body weight (8 pounds), all in my belly and hips. I didn’t put it together for a while because everyone said it couldn’t cause weight gain but I just knew there had to be a correlation. I’ve been following this thread for many months hoping someone would say the weight would come off and worrying like crazy that I’d be stuck with it. I stopped taking sept 1, did the whole 30 diet for the month of September and maybe lost one pound. Was also working out like crazy with no result. Was so frustrated. Went back to eating my regular diet, doing nothing special, and I’m so happy to report the weight started to come off in December and is now all gone. Hang in there, it comes off it just takes some time to get out of your system. Seriously someone needs to file a complaint with the FDA, very upsetting!
eaeaton
6 Dec 2019
I stopped taking the meds about 18mo ago. I took them for about a year and went from 145 to 185. Since I have been off them my weight has still slowly increased and I now weigh 198. Like most of you I am also at the end of my rope as the last time I even came close to this weight was when I was full term pregnant right before giving birth. I have an appointment to see an endocrinologist in February. For the people who have lost the weight, was it just one day you noticed your body going back to normal? I literally have been trying to lose the weight I started gaining for over 2 years. I just want to see a light at the end of this tunnel. For all of these complaints there should be a lawsuit for undisclosed information for side effects. There’s no way they did a human study and didn’t see weight gain as a factor. This is ridiculous.
Amylynn123
12 Dec 2019
Many people take the meds and don’t have a problem which is why it was never looked into. I am having blood taken to check my levels, but I believe there is nothing that can be done about this weight gain. No one has been able to lose the weight. It makes no sense to anyone that the body wouldn’t just readjust itself once off, but it doesn’t.
Jenb77
29 Nov 2019
Wow! I am so glad I found this thread. IT probably saved me from gaining 30 more pounds. I have been taking spiro for 3 months. Skin looks amazing but I have gained 8 pounds. My stomach which was always flat is big now and my thighs grew as well. I just thought all of a sudden middle age caught up with me. Bloated and swollen all the time. Sex drive to zero. I am throwing these pills away now.
Amylynn123
30 Nov 2019
Keep me posted as to your weight loss. I haven’t lost a pound since I have stopped it three weeks ago...
jmcgee112
16 July 2020
Did you find anything to help with getting your sex drive back. I have been off it for close to a year I think. I still haven't lost the weight, and I have vaginal dryness, which I never had a problem with before.
Amylynn123
28 Nov 2019
Thank you for your response. I have never had a problem losing weight and now this. How long til you started to lose weight? How long have you been off the drug?
jeckerd
28 Nov 2019
I stopped taking it July 2018, so a about a year and a half ago. It took maybe six months until I started seeing steady weight loss. It went slowly. I lost more very quickly after I stopped taking my hormonal birth control six months ago. Now, I have mostly stopped weighing myself. I focus on eating healthy and lifting heavy weights, like squats and deadlifts, and that has helped me to build muscle in my legs and lose the fat around my hips and waist that accumulated when I was taking Spiro.
Amylynn123
30 Nov 2019
Thank you!!
jmcgee112
16 July 2020
Yes thank you for your response!
jeckerd
28 Nov 2019
I can't remember when I answered this question. But I'm updating so the person who commented today can have some peace of mind. I gained 20 pounds over the three years I took Spiro. I have lost 15 pounds of it. I stopped taking my birth control pills and went vegan. I lift weights. Don't starve yourself. Lift weights and eat like a normal person and be patient.
Related topics
aldactone, weight loss (obesity/overweight), acne, spironolactone, weight
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