Spironolactone - Will weight gain with aldactone usage go away once the body adjusts?

I wish someone would answer the question about whether they lost weight when stopping. It’s very frustrating.

I started spironolactone 100mg back in September. I noticed weight gain almost immediately, especially in my belly area & my face, plus my breasts grew. Then, my periods were coming much later than ever. I called my derm and decreased to 50mg and still gaining weight. I’m up 10+lbs in 2.5 months, despite no changes in my diet or exercise (I work out almost every day).

Has anyone lost weight after stopping spiro? Please tell me there is some hope. This is beyond awful. I can’t lose the weight despite starving myself.

I was on spiro for almost 6 months for my acne and gained 25lbs while nothing in my eating/exercise habits had changed. If anything, they improved because I thought I was gaining weight from not eating clean enough. I have been off it for 2 months now after realizing it was the meds that caused my weight gain but I have been struggling to lose any of the weight. I went to my gyno and had my thyroid tested but he said the results came back looking normal. Has anyone been able to shed the weight quickly after stopping this horrible medication???

So it's been almost 3 yrs since I've been off this horrible med. I had gained 40 lbs while taking it. Once I stopped it the wt gain stopped but weight would not come off. I've never been this big in my life even when I was pregnant! Anyway I was able to lose 20 lbs within the past 3 yrs. I need to lose the last 20. It's hard to lose though, maybe because I just reached into my 30's is a possibility? But I've noticed that I get nasty water retention and bloated-ness worse than before. I've always had that sort of problem but not as bad as the med got introduced into my system. Anyway, weight loss is possible but it just takes a while to kick start it. Also I don't break out anymore, well I just get very few here and there, and it's been 3 yrs without taking the med. Not sure if the med did something to my body for it not to break out as I used to or maybe because I'm getting older and finally growing out of it. Who knows

I’ve been on spironolactone for over 2 years now. I thought I was going crazy, but it seems I’ve been a victim of the weight gain as well. I workout 5 times a week and eat well. Prior to starting this medicine I had lost 80 pounds, weighed 160, and was very toned & lean. Since then I have increased my workout routine to much harder exercise(s) and I’m up 20 pounds and have noticed a significant increase of fat in my abdomen, thighs, and breasts just like a of you mentioned. No matter how much I workout or how little I eat I cannot see a difference. Just took my pills for the day prior to reading these comments. They’re now going straight into the garbage.

I have been taking spironolactone for about 4 months now. Understanding that this drug could cause hormonal changes I took 25mgs daily. No more than that ! I haven't had any problems with weight gain. Actually I lost about 8 lbs. I tried everything in the gym to lose the weight but couldn't. As soon as I started taking this drug I dropped weight like crazy. I even stopped sweating as much. I didn't use to sweat so bad but I could soak my clothing with 25 mins of cardio. It has also helped my acne. I tried to discontinue it cold turkey and I am noticing some increase In hair loss. Hair loss is one of the reasons I started taking this.

Unfortunately for me, I am now underweight because of spironolactone. I had lost almost 10 lbs because of this drug and now I am extremely conscious about the way I look. Lost a lot of weight on my arms and legs. My derm prescribed 25mg back in July 2018, then went up to 50mg and there was a significant improvement in my face overall. My derm then thought it would be a great idea it to have me go to 100mg. When I started the 100 mg, my period became irregular, breasts felt sore and I was always feeling very nauseous and light-headed. It really cleared up my cystic acne but it wasn't worth it going through all of that. I stopped taking spiro in February 2019. Now that I have completely discontinued the drug, my cystic acne is back to haunt me and I'm desperately trying to get back to my normal weight. It has been a challenge but I would never get back to spiro ever.

I took Spiro for 6 months at age 28 for cystic acne. The acne cleared up but I gained 15 pounds. I had never before been over 130, even when I rarely exercised. It took 2 years before the weight finally started to come off (I ate well and regularly exercised during this time as well) and for the past 3 years, my weight has remained stable.

I am so discouraged to read these responses! I have taken spiro for 3 years and had beautifully clear skin, for about a year I've suspected it's been to blame for my weight gain (about 15-20lbs over 3 years) brought it to my derms attention, she said no, not a side effect. My primary however said she just read a study of it causing weight gain, and ruining peoples hormones, and to stop taking it immediately. So now i am worried after reading these comments that i won't be able to take the weight off, I am considering going to an endocrinologist to try and re-balance my hormones, has anyone had success with this, it looks like some people have mentioned testosterone therapy and that possibly after some time the weight WILL come off, anyone have experience with this?

Yes I experienced the same thing on this drug. Less peeing and stomach bloating with weight gain. My boobs grew two whole sizes. My guess is too much estrogen. Like others said if it blocks testosterone,it probably causes estrogen dominance. It may also have a slight effect on thyroid and kidneys.

This is the worst drug - yes your skin will get better but the side effects are terrible. Most of all while it doesn’t “add” anything it blocks testosterone thereby making your body produce more estrogen and you WILL gain fat in your belly, hips, thighs. And no telling how long if you will be able to adjust your hormones back to how your body was - especially if you are older.

Read FLOliving for a list of homeopathic supplements that address hormonal acne.

Avoid taking this drug and look for a more natural way. Spironolactone has many side effects... DO NOT take it!

I have been off of spironolactone for 1 year and 4 mos. I run, lift , low carb and nothing has made me drop the 20lbs I gained. I went to a hormone specialist and She ran a battery of hormones and stated spiro blocks androgens/testosterone and my testosterone was like a 8. It should be about 40. I am now on testosterone therapy and I feel so much better. No bloating. She said the weight should come off. Will ck back in 6 months to update