The following side effects are expected to occur with the use of spironolactone. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away:
How Common (based on clinical studies)
Irregular menstrual periods and other menstrual disturbances | Up to 80% of all users |
Breast pain or tenderness | Up to 38.95% of all users |
Dry skin | Up to 38.9% of all users |
Increased urination | Up to 29% of all users |
Increase in blood potassium levels | Up to 24.7% of all users |
Breast enlargement | Up to 24.1% of all users |
Nausea and/or vomiting | Up to 20.4% of all users |
Tiredness or drowsiness | Up to 15% of all users |
Changes in sex drive | Up to 15% of all users |
Headache | Up to 13% of all users |
Decrease in blood pressure | Up to 7.4% of all users |
Skin pigmentation | Up to 3.7% of users |
Abdominal pain, discomfort, or cramps | Up to 2.65% of all users |
Swelling in lower legs and feet due to fluid collection | Up to 2.2% of all users |
Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding | Unknown |
Voice changes (usually deepening) | Unknown |
Increased unwanted hair growth | Unknown |
Feelings of restlessness | Unknown |
Diarrhea or watery stools | Unknown |
Spironolactone may cause some side effects that are serious. If you experience any of the following, get in touch with your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- A sudden appearance of swelling and rash (known as hives)
- Severe itching
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Fainting episodes
- Vomiting blood
- Extreme tiredness or low energy levels
- Pain, cramps, or weakness in muscles
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Blood in stools
- Rash on any part of the body
- Sudden inability to move the arms and legs
- Severe nausea
- Abnormal bruising or bleeding
- Confusion
- Yellow discoloration of eyes or skin
- Numbness, pain, tingling, or burning sensations in the hands or feet
- Signs of dehydration: persistent headache, dizziness, feeling unsteady, dry mouth, and increased thirst
- Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
- Decrease in urination
Spironolactone may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms when using spironolactone.
References
- Uptodate; spironolactone. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/spironolactone-drug-information?source=search_result&search=spironolactone&selectedTitle=1~150. Last cited 10 October, 2024.
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