Aldactone (spironolactone) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other conditions. As with other drugs, Aldactone can cause side effects, such as drowsiness, rash, and headache.

Aldactone can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Aldactone in clinical trials:

  • headache
  • drowsiness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • abdominal cramps

Mild side effects can occur with Aldactone use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Aldactone’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Aldactone include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Aldactone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Aldactone may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Aldactone’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Aldactone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • serious skin reactions, which may include symptoms such as:
    • rash that blisters or peels
    • red, pink, or purple patches
  • electrolyte problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • dizziness
    • headache
    • confusion
  • hyperkalemia*
  • gynecomastia*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Aldactone can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Aldactone, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Aldactone may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Aldactone cause different side effects in males and females?

Most of the side effects of Aldactone are similar in males and females. However, some can vary.

Aldactone can commonly cause menstrual irregularities in females, including bleeding after menopause or periods that are longer or shorter than usual.

Breast tenderness can occur in both men and women. But in men, Aldactone can cause gynecomastia. This is a swelling of the breast tissue that causes the breasts to become unusually large. This side effect will typically go away after you stop taking the drug.

If you have questions about the side effects that Aldactone may cause, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Aldactone be used to treat acne? Does the drug cause certain side effects if taken for this use?

Aldactone isn’t FDA-approved to treat acne. However, it’s sometimes prescribed off-label to treat acne in certain females. Off-label is when a drug is prescribed for a different condition or dosage than it is approved for.

Aldactone should only be used to treat acne in certain females, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology. It’s not recommended to treat acne in men because of the side effects of gynecomastia (breast enlargement).

The side effects reported in clinical trials of Aldactone are for its FDA-approved uses. However, the side effects of Aldactone when used off-label for acne are expected to be similar.

Talk with your doctor for more information about taking Aldactone to treat acne.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Aldactone may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Aldactone.

Hyperkalemia

Aldactone can cause some people to develop hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels), which was commonly reported in the drug’s clinical trials. High potassium levels are usually mild but can become dangerously high in some people.

Older adults or people with kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, are more likely to develop high potassium levels. Taking certain drugs along with Aldactone, such as ACE inhibitors or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can also increase the risk of high potassium levels.

Most people don’t experience symptoms of high potassium levels. Very high potassium levels may cause symptoms that include:

  • muscle weakness
  • muscle pain or cramps
  • nausea and vomiting
  • fatigue
  • abnormal heartbeat
  • chest pain

What you can do

Your doctor will likely want to monitor your potassium levels during treatment. While taking Aldactone, you should avoid taking any potassium supplements and limit food containing high levels of potassium. Some foods that have high potassium include:

  • salt substitutes
  • potatoes with skin
  • Swiss chard
  • bananas
  • canned tomato products
  • yogurt

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can increase the chances of hyperkalemia. Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medications and supplements you are taking.

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any symptoms of high potassium levels. They will likely want to check your potassium levels. If you develop high potassium levels, your doctor may recommend decreasing your dose.

Gynecomastia

Some males can develop gynecomastia when taking Aldactone. This is a swelling of the breast tissue, which causes your breasts to look unusually large. Swelling can happen in one or both breasts. This was commonly reported in males taking Aldactone in clinical trials.

Gynecomastia can happen at any time during treatment. The risk is increased when taking higher doses of the drug. Symptoms of gynecomastia may include:

  • lumps around the nipple
  • swelling and tenderness in the breast area

What you can do

Gynecomastia is usually reversible and will go away when you stop taking Aldactone. If this side effect is bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you switch to a different drug.

If you experience unusual and persistent swelling, pain, or nipple discharge, talk with your doctor right away.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Aldactone.

Other precautions

Before taking Aldactone, discuss your health history with your doctor. Aldactone may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.