Spironolactone and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2020

Spironolactone for Acne "If you suffer from anxiety or depression, avoid this medication. Even at a low dose, it sent my anxiety through the roof, resulting in really dark thoughts. I’ll take bad skin over my mental health any day."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2020

For Acne "It’s my 5th day on this medicine (spironolactone 100 mg), and today I’m pretty sure I had a panic attack. I’ve experienced huge anxiety to the point where I didn’t know what to do and how to calm myself down. I’d describe it like an overwhelming feeling. I rarely ever get anxiety or stressed, so I’m pretty sure that spironolactone was what caused it because I’ve never felt something similar to this. My heart was beating in a weird way, I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Please think twice before taking this, it’s really strong."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2020

For Alopecia "I'm quite ambivalent about spironolactone. I started taking it in October 2019 for alopecia, and at 100 mg it does its job. My hair loss stopped, and a lot of what I lost grew back. However, since I went up to 100 mg, I started having panic attacks and general anxiety, which I didn't experience before. When I lowered the dose to 50 mg, the anxiety disappeared, but so did my hair, so I stayed on 100 mg. I also have to watch my potassium intake, if I eat too much of it, I get arrhythmia. I still recommend trying it if you suffer from hair loss and if nothing else worked for you. It is a lifelong commitment, though."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2021

For Alopecia "Hair started thinning dramatically about three years ago. Tried PRP, DHT-blocking shampoos, and even had to use a hair fiber to leave my house because my part was so wide. While some of those things helped, I still needed to use the hair fibers to fill in my part to feel comfortable going out. I decided to try spiro about three months ago after my dermatologist suggested it. My hair is almost completely restored. My part looks normal, my bangs aren’t perfect but look considerably better, and I don’t have to wear the hair fibers anymore. I think after a few more months it will be completely back to the way it was a few years ago. It’s pretty amazing how well it worked. It did take a month to get used to it. I felt a bit anxious after starting it, but I feel fine now. I’m on 50 mg. Would definitely recommend for hair loss. For acne, I still break out, so not sure it’s helped with that just yet."

• mb8...
• August 18, 2019

For Hirsutism "Be very careful of spironolactone if you have any history of depression, anxiety, or just general stress. Before I started taking spironolactone for PCOS-related hirsutism, I had a tendency towards stress and mild anxiety but never a disorder - soon after I started on it, my anxiety increased to a level I had never experienced before, and I had my first panic attack while just walking down the street and began having panic attacks almost daily. I had a feeling that this new anxiety was linked to starting this medication, and a few months ago I found a study online in a medical journal that found that a single dose of spironolactone increases the release of cortisol (the stress hormone that floods your brain to cause panic attacks) by 100% within an hour of taking it. I immediately stopped taking the medication, and since then I feel much better, but still, I am left with lasting daily anxiety. I wish I had been warned about spironolactone's effects on cortisol levels because I would have never started taking it."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 23, 2021

For Acne "Spiro ruined my life. I had the worst side effects after my derm recommended increasing my dosage. I was at 150 mg when I experienced extreme anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, and fatigue. I went up to 200 mg in January 2021, and the panic attacks and trouble sleeping increased. I got off of it cold turkey, and soon enough, I was back to normal. All the side effects are gone. I will never take this again. I told my derm that this drug caused anxiety, and he said, 'that's the last thing it will do.' I'm very upset that he was not well informed of the side effects of this drug. I make sure to notify everyone not to take this. It is dangerous to your mental health."

• MVa...
• October 13, 2019

For Acne "Please reconsider before starting this. Helped my acne, side effects are not worth it. I had no idea how lucky I was before taking this, just to feel no pain. Now I am 10 months off of this drug, and I am still in pain every day. Was on it 6 months, 25 mg 2x a day. In Jan, started feeling side effects: brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, loss of libido. Then chest pains/intense anxiety. Asked my doctor if I could quit cold turkey? She said sure. Then...the next two weeks were so bad. Severe anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, shortness of breath, stomach pains, nausea, diarrhea, depression, irregular heartbeat, arm numbness, chest pain, all day every day. Ears ringing, sleep problems. Lost 25 lbs. Horrible. No doctors had any advice, answers, or wanted to help. Ever since then, the symptoms remain but SLOWLY get better over time. Today I am better but still have chest pain, ear ringing, and digestive issues every day. Please do research, know the effects it could have. I would take acne any day over this."

• MVa...
• October 13, 2019

For Acne "Please reconsider before starting this. Helped my acne, side effects are not worth it. I had no idea how lucky I was before taking this, just to feel no pain. Now I am 10 months off of this drug, and I am still in pain every day. Was on it 6 months, 25 mg 2x a day. In Jan, started feeling side effects: brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, loss of libido. Then chest pains/intense anxiety. Asked my doctor if I could quit cold turkey? She said sure. Then...the next two weeks were so bad. Severe anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, shortness of breath, stomach pains, nausea, diarrhea, depression, irregular heartbeat, arm numbness, chest pain, all day every day. Ears ringing, sleep problems. Lost 25 lbs. Horrible. No doctors had any advice, answers, or wanted to help. Ever since then, the symptoms remain but SLOWLY get better over time. Today I am better but still have chest pain, ear ringing, and digestive issues every day. Please do research, know the effects it could have. I would take acne any day over this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2022

For Acne "Works great for adult female hormonal acne. But since starting, I've had an increase in anxiety. I have a history of anxiety disorder as well as OCD. It has caused so much anxiety that I'm struggling with an increase in OCD symptoms as well. I had been doing so well with anxiety and OCD beforehand. Not sure what to do now. Maybe just decrease the dose or maybe see a therapist."

• Cry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2021

For Alopecia "I only started taking spironolactone a week ago. After going to this doctor and that doctor, I was starting to feel a bit crazy, like what I was feeling and my symptoms were all in my head. It took a dermatologist to put everything together and diagnose me with PCOS. From the start, this medication has been a game changer!! I think I feel normal, I think this is actually what normal is like!! I feel so much relief in so many ways!! I’m not angry anymore, I’m not anxious, normal period, lower blood pressure, no more chronic dehydration, no more feeling like I have a fiery pit in the depths of my stomach that requires carbs and sugar 24/7, and I can only hope that my thinning hair will dissipate. I’m just amazed at the positive changes!! I’m so thankful to have an amazing dermatologist, and to finally have found one pill that solves so many issues!!!"

• Kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 11, 2021

For Alopecia "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE! I swear to God, taking this medicine was a huge mistake. I've been on 50 mg Spiro for 2 years for alopecia, and yes, it did help for that, but I also gained a whopping 30 lbs! My whole body shape/fat distribution changed, I have stubborn fat on my thighs, arms, and belly, and I am not able to get rid of it. My arm fat jiggles when I move my arms, I am so mortified. I read a ton of other experiences from women with the same issue, none of them were able to get their old body back even years after going off Spiro. I've been exercising religiously and eating clean, but I can't seem to drop a single pound. Apart from that, I also started having severe anxiety and panic attacks, as well as heart palpitations and fatigue. It did not clear up my skin, and honestly, I would rather keep searching for an alternative alopecia treatment than being this heavy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2020

For Acne "I have struggled with severe acne all over my back and chin/jawline areas and PCOS. When I started taking this medication, it really helped with my acne. However, there would be times after standing up after eating or getting out of bed I would fall over from being so lightheaded and dizzy. Also, my anxiety had skyrocketed. I have dealt with minor anxiety in the past, but after being on this medication, it is now so bad. But at least my acne is clearing up!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2019

For Acne "I'm in my late 20s, with an onset of cystic acne. I had stopped the BC combo pill (that I was taking for acne) due to lack of insurance coverage and decided (once insured again) to take a different route. I have been taking spironolactone for about 1 year (50 mg x2 daily). It has cleared up my acne fully... but at a cost of a barrage of side effects (excessive fatigue, constant peeing, irregular periods, anxiety, night terrors, mood swings, borderline low blood pressure). It's been exhausting combating the side effects and led me to stop the medication and go back to the BC combo pill. I do recommend the drug since it works but only in low doses (25 mg). Once I started doing 100 mg daily, the side effects just overwhelmed me."

• gre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 27, 2019

For Acne "I'll say that spironolactone helped my acne. Very much so. I still would get pimples, but not like I do when I don't take it. I will say this: I am 35 and have taken this medicine off and on for over 10 years. I truly believe it causes serious side effects: dizzy, headaches, mood swings, bad anxiety, horrible cramps, stomach pain, acid reflux. I could keep going. I even have this heart thing that I get sometimes: really fast flutters. I've gotten sick really bad a few times since I've been on it, and I never put two and two together until now. When I'm off of it, all those problems go away. I will never take this again, and I pray none of this is permanent. I have six children and want to be okay for them."

• Ms ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2020

"On spironolactone for PCOS, and even at the lowest dosage, I developed mild anxiety. My nature of work requires that I maintain a collective presence at all times, therefore, I ended up discontinuing treatment. I could not handle the side effects."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2021

For Gender Dysphoria "As much as I want to stop the effects of testosterone on my body, the constant dizziness, lingering nausea, anxiety, and brain fog made me stop this drug immediately. I stopped only after 4 days because it was too overwhelming and started messing with my life more than the gender dysphoria. I'm also very sensitive to all pharmaceutical drugs, so I'm not too shocked by my reaction. Just very unfortunate."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2022

For Acne "I’ve been taking 100 mg of spironolactone for PCOS for 5 months now. I’m so thankful I pushed through the first 2 months of taking it. I know everyone has their own unique experiences and side effects, and in the beginning of taking it, I sincerely believed it was causing massive amounts of my hair to fall out because my hair was falling out. I continued to take it every day despite serious anxiety and fear that all of my hair was going to fall out. I’m so glad I kept taking it! After the first 2 months, I noticed my hair fall out drastically decrease. I was barely losing hair when brushing and washing it. I noticed new hair growth after about 3-4 months, and I continue to see new hair growth on the crown of my head. I can go a couple of days without washing my hair, and it doesn’t get oily like it used to. My hair feels and looks much healthier and fuller. My acne has cleared up dramatically, I barely wear any makeup now. I feel so much better inside and out."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2022

For Acne "I’ve been taking 100 mg of spironolactone for PCOS for 5 months now. I’m so thankful I pushed through the first 2 months of taking it. I know everyone has their own unique experiences and side effects, and in the beginning of taking it, I sincerely believed it was causing massive amounts of my hair to fall out because my hair was falling out. I continued to take it every day despite serious anxiety and fear that all of my hair was going to fall out. I’m so glad I kept taking it! After the first 2 months, I noticed my hair fall out drastically decrease. I was barely losing hair when brushing and washing it. I noticed new hair growth after about 3-4 months, and I continue to see new hair growth on the crown of my head. I can go a couple of days without washing my hair, and it doesn’t get oily like it used to. My hair feels and looks much healthier and fuller. My acne has cleared up dramatically, I barely wear any makeup now. I feel so much better inside and out."

• MC8...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2021

For Acne "38 y.o. female taking it for hormonal acne. Started at 50 mg. First week, no symptoms. Skin felt a bit dry, and I feel dizzy at times. Second week, minor eye twitch, drier skin, dizziness. Third week, persistent eye twitch, heart palpitations, feeling anxiety building up + the eye twitching = insomnia. The eye twitching was coupled with severe dry eyes. (Do note that my background has dry eyes due to two rounds of Accutane I took 11 years ago). Face was dry, so no acne, but the side effects were too much to bear for me. Went on a lower dosage to 25 mg per day, no effect, went back up to 50 mg a few days before my period was coming because I had 2 cysts on my chin, and the same side effects came back. The eye twitching and dry eyes were the most unbearable part. So, going totally off this drug. It's definitely not for me. Unfortunate, as I have seen so many good reviews on here for hormonal acne."

• Bad...
• May 22, 2017

For Acne "My experience with this drug was extremely negative. I gained about 30 pounds, became anxious and depressed, was extremely tired and sluggish, and ate at least 4 meals/day. I became a very sad and narrow-minded person and strayed from my parents and friends. It didn't help my acne at all, so please look for any other alternative before taking this. It's not worth it, and there are so many better alternatives to this."