Will I Lose Weight If I Stop Taking Spironolactone?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous clinical studies, spironolactone does not typically cause long-term, significant weight gain or loss. While it is a diuretic that helps your body shed excess water, the question, 'Will I lose weight if I stop taking spironolactone?', is more complex and depends on why you were taking it in the first place.

Quick Summary

Stopping spironolactone can cause fluid retention to return, potentially leading to weight regain. Any initial weight loss from the medication was likely temporary water weight, not body fat. The effect on weight can also depend on underlying conditions like PCOS or heart failure.

Key Points

Spironolactone causes temporary water weight loss: As a diuretic, the medication helps your body shed excess fluid, but this is not fat loss.
Stopping can cause weight regain: Discontinuing spironolactone will likely cause the body's fluid balance to normalize, leading to the regain of any water weight lost.
Weight loss is not a guarantee: Stopping the medication is not a strategy for long-term weight loss and may lead to an increase on the scale.
Underlying conditions are a factor: Weight changes can be tied to the condition being treated (like PCOS or heart failure), not just the medication itself.
Consult your doctor before stopping: Never discontinue a prescription medication without guidance from a healthcare provider, as it could pose health risks.
Lifestyle changes are key for fat loss: Sustainable fat loss requires consistent diet and exercise, not stopping a prescription medication.

The Truth About Spironolactone and Weight Loss

Spironolactone is a medication used to treat a variety of conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure, edema (fluid retention), and hormonal issues like acne and PCOS. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic, or "water pill," that works by helping your body eliminate excess water and sodium while retaining potassium. This diuretic effect is why some people experience a temporary reduction in weight, specifically water weight, while on the medication. However, this is not true fat loss.

The Likely Outcome: A Rebound of Water Weight

When you stop taking spironolactone, your body's fluid balance can shift again. For most people, this means that the diuretic effect ceases, and the body will naturally begin to retain fluid once more. This fluid buildup can cause a rebound increase in weight, meaning you will likely regain the temporary water weight you lost while on the medication. It's a common reason for someone to step on the scale after discontinuing spironolactone and be surprised by the change.

It is crucial to understand that losing fat requires a different approach involving diet and exercise. Spironolactone is not a weight-loss drug, and stopping it will not result in meaningful, long-term fat loss. For those with underlying conditions causing fluid retention, such as heart failure, discontinuing the medication may cause the fluid to build up again, which can be dangerous and is not a healthy way to manage weight.

The Complexities of Hormonal Effects

Beyond its diuretic properties, spironolactone also has anti-androgenic effects, meaning it blocks the actions of androgens (male hormones) in the body. This is particularly relevant for women using it to treat hormonal acne or conditions like PCOS. Androgens can influence metabolism and fat distribution. While on spironolactone, some individuals may see subtle changes related to these hormonal effects, and anecdotal reports suggest some people notice changes in body composition or weight gain after stopping. However, weight changes in individuals with PCOS are also heavily influenced by their underlying condition, which can cause insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances that affect weight independent of the medication. The interplay of these factors makes it difficult to definitively attribute weight changes solely to stopping spironolactone.

Potential Risks of Stopping Spironolactone

Discontinuing any prescription medication without consulting a healthcare provider is risky. Abruptly stopping spironolactone can cause serious health complications, depending on the reason it was prescribed.

For high blood pressure: Your blood pressure could rise again, putting you at risk for heart attack or stroke.
For fluid retention: The fluid could build up in your body, leading to swelling (edema) or shortness of breath.
For hormonal conditions: Symptoms like acne or excess hair growth are likely to return.

Your doctor can help you understand the risks and create a safe plan for tapering off the medication or exploring alternative treatments.

Spironolactone's Effects on Weight: A Comparison


Aspect	On Spironolactone	After Stopping Spironolactone
Mechanism	Blocks aldosterone, acting as a diuretic to excrete sodium and water.	Diuretic effect ceases, and the body's natural fluid balance returns.
Type of Weight Change	Mild, temporary water weight loss, especially in those with edema.	Likely weight regain as fluid retention returns to baseline.
Nature of Change	Temporary and not a form of fat loss.	Reversal of the diuretic effect, resulting in weight returning to a pre-medication state or being influenced by untreated conditions.
Hormonal Effects	Anti-androgenic properties may cause subtle shifts in body composition.	Hormonal balance returns to pre-medication levels; symptoms may re-emerge.
Overall Effect on Weight	Not a primary weight-loss tool; any scale change is likely due to fluid loss.	Unlikely to result in long-term weight loss and may lead to weight gain due to fluid retention.

What to Do If You're Concerned About Weight

If you're concerned about your weight while taking spironolactone, or you're considering stopping the medication, your best course of action is to discuss it with your healthcare provider. They can help you identify if the weight change is due to the medication or other factors, such as diet, lifestyle, or the underlying condition itself. For example, conditions like PCOS are well known to be associated with weight challenges, and managing them is a complex process that goes beyond a single medication. A doctor might recommend adjustments to your diet, exercise routine, or explore alternative treatments that are more aligned with your overall health goals.

Conclusion: Consult Your Doctor, Don't Expect Weight Loss

Ultimately, the idea that stopping spironolactone will cause you to lose weight is a misconception. Because the medication's primary effect on weight is through temporary fluid reduction, discontinuing it will likely result in the return of that water weight. The safest and most effective way to manage your weight and health is to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor about your concerns. They can help you develop a safe and effective plan that addresses both your medical needs and your weight management goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not stop taking spironolactone to lose weight. Any weight loss on the medication is typically temporary water weight, and stopping it will likely cause that fluid and weight to return. Never stop a prescription medication without first consulting your doctor.

Yes, it is very likely that you will regain weight, specifically water weight, if you stop taking spironolactone. The medication's diuretic effect will cease, and your body will begin to retain fluid again.

Spironolactone doesn't cause fat loss; it is a diuretic that helps your body excrete excess water and sodium. This results in a temporary reduction of water weight, which can be seen on the scale, but does not affect body fat.

Weight gain is not a common side effect of spironolactone. Anecdotal reports exist, but weight gain is often linked to the underlying condition being treated (like PCOS or heart failure) rather than the drug itself.

Yes, it is possible. As an anti-androgen, spironolactone affects hormones, and stopping it can lead to hormonal shifts. Some anecdotal reports suggest this could influence weight or body composition, though this is not a direct or proven effect.

Stopping spironolactone abruptly can be dangerous. It may lead to a rebound of fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure, depending on your health condition. You should always discuss a plan for discontinuation with your healthcare provider.

If you experience weight gain while on spironolactone, you should talk to your doctor. They can determine if it's related to the underlying health condition, your diet, or another factor. They may need to adjust your dosage or switch medications.