Medications · FAQ
Can I take spironolactone during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Short answer
Spironolactone is not used during pregnancy because its anti-androgen effects may pose a risk to fetal development. Tell your physician if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or could become pregnant. Breastfeeding needs a separate review of your health, your baby's health, and available alternatives before treatment.
Spironolactone is not used during pregnancy because blocking androgen effects may affect fetal sex development. If you are pregnant or think you might be, contact your prescriber promptly before taking another dose. If you take it for a heart or blood pressure condition, you also need a timely plan for managing that condition.
If you could become pregnant, discuss reliable pregnancy prevention before starting. Spironolactone is not birth control, even if it changes your periods. Missed or irregular periods do not prove that pregnancy is impossible. If you are planning pregnancy, ask your physician when to stop treatment and what alternatives may fit your needs. Do not choose a stop date on your own.
Breastfeeding is a different decision from pregnancy. A breakdown product of spironolactone can enter breast milk in small amounts. Your physician should review the need for treatment, your baby's age and health, and other medicines you take. Tell them if your baby was born early or has a medical condition.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.