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It is well known that many medications have a long list of side effects. A common side effect of some of them is weight gain. Although this in itself may not be dangerous, depending on your health goals gaining excess kilograms can be significant.
Therefore it is important to be prepared, to understand why weight gain may occur, and that it may be something that needs to be addressed if you are taking certain medications.
Always consult your doctor
Whenever you start taking a new medication, ask the pharmacist for basic information, for example about possible side effects. If one of them is weight gain and you are not happy with that, ask your doctor whether you can take a lower dose or whether there are alternative medication options.
Whether you take medications to treat anxiety or depression, steroids or antihistamines, take a look at how some of them can affect your weight.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Some of these medications can increase appetite and lead to weight gain. WARNING: If you are taking antidepressants, do not stop taking them suddenly. Discuss it with your doctor first and develop a plan that best supports your mental health. If weight gain is making you want to stop your medication, you can consult your doctor about switching to a different class of antidepressants.
Corticosteroids
Oral corticosteroids treat a range of conditions, from asthma and arthritis to back pain and lupus. They have many side effects, including increased appetite, fluid retention, and altered metabolism. Pharmacists recommend taking corticosteroids with food. Oral steroids are usually prescribed for a short period (for example a one- or two-week course), which limits side effects. If they need to be taken long-term, it can be more difficult to control weight gain and you will have to adhere more strictly to diet and exercise.
Antihistamines
If you suffer from allergies, you have probably taken antihistamines. Studies have shown that people who regularly take some antihistamines have higher body weight and waist circumference than those who do not take them. Why? Histamine in the body actually turns off hunger signals. Antihistamines, on the other hand, may in some way disrupt these satiety signals. An alternative is nasal steroid sprays. They act differently than oral steroids and are generally not associated with weight gain.
Epilepsy medications
Some medications used to treat seizures can increase your appetite. Excess calories from eating more food can eventually lead to weight gain. If you are a patient taking any of these drugs, it is important to know that weight gain may be a consequence. If you believe the medications you are taking are not suitable for you, consult your doctor about switching to other drugs that are associated with weight loss or are weight-neutral.
Medications for hypertension
Beta-blockers are commonly used to treat hypertension. Some of them are more likely to cause weight gain. The reason is not clear, but beta-blockers can cause fatigue, especially when you first start the drug. They slow the heart rate and can reduce exercise tolerance. Fatigue and discomfort during exercise can cause you to be more sedentary, which can lead to weight gain.
A study published in the journal Gastroenterology showed that beta-blockers can actually lower metabolism. Scientists therefore recommend that beta-blockers not be prescribed as a first-line drug for people who are overweight or prone to obesity. In any case, you should always consult your doctor about the side effects of your medications.
Insulin
If you take insulin to treat diabetes, bear in mind that it can promote weight gain. This hormone helps the body absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Glucose is a good thing: the cells in the body use it to function efficiently. Once the sugar is absorbed from the blood and enters the cells, if the body does not use it to produce energy it is converted into fat. If you eat too much, especially foods high in sugar, you will gain weight.
Antipsychotics
These medications can be used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They impair glucose function and increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which exposes patients to a greater risk of developing metabolic disorders.
Source: newsitamea.gr
