health and wellness | May 07, 2026

Is Spironolactone an antidepressant?

As a diuretic, spironolactone can increase urination and induce disturbances in fluid and electrolyte balance with increased potassium levels. Since spironolactone acts as a mild estrogenic drug, it may in some females who have anovulatory cycles, induce ovulation and possibly fertility.

.

In this manner, does spironolactone help with depression?

Of the individual symptoms, spironolactone significantly improved irritability, depression, feeling of swelling, breast tenderness and food craving in comparison to placebo. A lasting effect of spironolactone was observed in women started with spironolactone after cross over to placebo.

Secondly, what should you not take with spironolactone? Avoid taking salt substitutes that contain potassium or potassium supplements while taking spironolactone. Try to avoid foods high in potassium (such as avocados, bananas, coconut water, spinach, and sweet potato) because eating these foods may lead to potentially fatal hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).

Simply so, what does spironolactone do to your hormones?

Spironolactone, the generic name for Aldactone®, works by lowering androgen levels in the body. Androgens are hormones that both males and females have, but males have higher levels of them. Spironolactone works by lowering the level of androgens, which lessens hair growth and improves acne.

What drugs does spironolactone interact with?

Spironolactone can have a negative interaction with the following drugs:

  • Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
  • ACE inhibitors, such as benazepril (Lotensin)
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as azilsartan (Edarbi)
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • Cholestyramine (Questran, Cholybar)
  • Steroids such as prednisone.
Related Question Answers

Can spironolactone make you gain weight?

There are concerns that spironolactone can cause weight gain, but there isn't much evidence it does. For example, the package insert for the drug doesn't list weight gain as a side effect. Along with weight gain, many people worry that spironolactone will make their skin look worse when they first start taking it.

Does spironolactone make you tired?

YOU CAN FEEL MORE TIRED THAN USUAL "Spironolactone blocks the hormone aldosterone, which can lead to fatigue," Dr. "In addition, it can lower the blood pressure, and if this drop is sudden, you may feel tired."

Does spironolactone cause mood swings?

Mood changes In any case, it is possible that spironolactone might have the capacity to increase the risk of depressive symptoms. However, a 2017 hybrid systematic review found that the incidence of depression in women treated with spironolactone for acne was less than 1%.

Does spironolactone cause bloating?

Spironolactone can cause significant improvement in these symptoms by reducing fluid retention. As a result, some doctors prescribe spironolactone for women who develop bloating and weight gain from water retention due to PMS.

Can spironolactone help with anxiety?

Spironolactone is known to ameliorate mood and tension headache or migraine in women with premenstrual syndrome or clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. Similar changes in FIQ subscores were found for fatigue, morning tiredness, stiffness, anxiety, and depression.

Does spironolactone cause hair loss or growth?

Spironolactone slows down the production of androgens. These are male sex hormones, including testosterone. Reduced production of androgens can slow down the progression of hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia. This combination was associated with reduced shedding, increased hair growth, and thicker hair.

What happens when you stop taking spironolactone?

If you stop taking it suddenly: If you stop taking this drug, you may start retaining water. You may also have a sudden increase in your blood pressure. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Should you drink water with spironolactone?

These conditions may cause you to lose too much water or salt and may lead to low blood pressure. You can also lose water by sweating, so drink plenty of water during exercise or in hot weather. This medicine may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients.

Does spironolactone help hair growth?

Spironolactone stops hair shedding by inhibiting the effects of androgens (like testosterone) that combine with an enzyme to create a hormone that causes hair loss, explains study author Rodney Sinclair, a dermatologist in Australia. Minoxidil, on the other hand, works to widen the hair fibers and stimulate growth.

Does spironolactone affect menstrual cycle?

Spironolactone may make your period cycle (menstruation) irregular. Periods may stop altogether or spot bleeding may be experienced in between normal periods. Spironolactone may cause breast changes that are benign (harmless).

Does spironolactone block testosterone?

Spironolactone is also the most commonly used antiandrogen in the United States to block testosterone during gender hormone therapy and to encourage development of secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts.

Can spironolactone help with hormonal imbalance?

As Spironolactone helps to balance hormone levels, it may disrupt your menstrual cycle. "Spironolactone is actually a diuretic and used for treating heart failure and high blood pressure in high doses.

Does spironolactone dry out your skin?

Side effects were menstrual disturbances (72%), dry skin (39%), and a chloasma-like pigmentation disorder of the face (2 patients). Among the 23 patients taking an oral contraceptive, gynecologic side effects of spironolactone were diminished.

Does acne come back after spironolactone?

Your acne can come back after taking spironolactone It is prescribed to be taken daily but according to Dr Mahto, acne can return when it is discontinued.

Can spironolactone cause yeast infections?

Women should try this before turning to antibiotics. Spironolactone is typically used to ease high blood pressure and edema. The side effects associated with oral antibiotics include stomach pain, yeast infections, and sun sensitivity in the short term and things like inflammatory bowel disease in the long term.

What is the best time of day to take spironolactone?

How to use Spironolactone. Take this medication by mouth, as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, take it with food or milk. It is best to take your dose early in the day (before 6 p.m.) to prevent having to get up during the night to urinate.

How long can you take spironolactone?

CONCLUSIONS: After 200 person-years of exposure to spironolactone and 506 person-years of followup over 8 years, no serious illnesses thought to be attributed to spironolactone were reported. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe.

Does spironolactone cause leg cramps?

mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea; breast swelling or tenderness; dizziness, headache, mild drowsiness; leg cramps; or.

Is Spironolactone hard on your kidneys?

In fact, despite a large increase in prescribing within the NHS, hospital admission for kidney problems or high blood potassium levels actually fell. 'With this new study, GPs can now be reassured that starting with a low dose of Spironolactone and carefully monitoring blood chemistry in very safe.