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Weight Gain As A Side Effect Of Certain Medicines
Many of us take over the counter medicines for headaches, toothaches, bad
backs, etc. Most of these have no side effects. Prescription medicines, on
the other hand, generally have some side effects. Restlessness,
sleeplessness, irritability and changes in sexual appetite are some of the
more common ones. Some medications may help your physical problem but also
cause you to gain weight. Whether the drug will make you want to eat more
depends on what effect it has on your brain. If you are gaining weight
without taking in extra calories or exercising less, your medications be the
reason why.
Anabolic steroids are designed to replace the natural hormone
testosterone, promote muscle mass, shorten recovery time after exercise or
muscle damage and increase the power of the muscles. A common side effect
for women is weight gain.
Some diabetes medications cause gain weight. As your blood sugar
becomes more stable, your body retains glucose, instead of losing it in your
urine. This promotes weight gain. Sulfonylureas (glyburide and glipizide),
meglitinides (Prandin), and insulin can cause weight gain. The
thiazolidinediones (glitazones), such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone,
promote fluid retention and make you gain weight. Metformin is similar to
the glitazones. You won’t gain weight, but you might experience gas,
bloating, or diarrhea. You can't take this drug if you have heart disease.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose and miglitol) don't cause
weight gain, but can cause bloating or diarrhea.
Many of us take anti-depressants to treat depression, seizures, and
sleep disorders. Selective Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as
Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil are associated with weight gain. Paxil has the
biggest impact on weight gain. Studies showed an average weight gain over
time of 15-20 pounds with Zoloft, Prozac, and Celexa. The reason that SSRIs
contribute to weight gain is not completely understood. Patients using SSRIs
often report symptoms of hypoglycemia (weakness, dizziness, frequent hunger,
and headaches) when they do not eat and they eat to eliminate these
symptoms. This eating adds extra calories and, eventually, extra weight.
SSRIs are used to treat patients because the alternative drugs, tricyclic
antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, cause more weight gain,
more anticholinergic symptoms, and more toxic adverse effects.
Some antipsychotics like Zyprexa,
Seroquel and Risperdal also cause weight gain. Scientists believe genetics
and biochemical changes in the brain caused by the medications are key
reasons for this
Some allergy medications are associated with weight gain. If you take
antihistamines on a regular basis, they may be contributing to your weight
gain, as some of them are known to increase appetite. You should ask your
physician about using fewer antihistamines, and/or using steroid-containing
nasal sprays instead. These don't cause weight gain and are generally more
effective, when used daily, for nasal allergy symptoms.
Hypertension medications may cause weight gain because they may cause
the body to retain fluids. Norvasc is one example. Water retention may be
countered by taking a diuretic (a water pill) or by reducing salt in the
diet.
Some pain medications are associated with weight gain because they
increase the appetite and cause your body to retain fluids. In controlled
clinical trials of lyrica, patients gained 7% or more over their baseline
weight. Weight gain was more dramatic in diabetic patients. Neurotin may
also cause retention of fluid.
Oral contraceptives may cause fluid retention and weight gain.
Loestrin (Microgestin) has these characteristics.
Many of the medications that we take every day to treat what ails us have
side effects. Weight gain is but one of them. Before taking any medication,
you should consult with your doctor about the side effects. Once you begin
taking the medicine, let your doctor know if you experience side effects.
Sometimes the doctor can alter your dose or prescribe another medication. Do
not do this on your own. Decreasing or eliminating a medication may be
harmful to your health.
References
Everyday Health. (2008). Medications
That Can Add Pounds. URL:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/type2/treating/tips/medication-pounds.aspx
Mayo Clinic.Com. (December 26, 2006). Taking performance-enhancing drugs:
Are you risking your health? Tools for Healthier Lives. URL
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/performance-enhancing-drugs/HQ01105
Pfizer. (no date). Lyrica. URL:
http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_lyrica.pdf
______. (August 2006) Norvasc. URL:
http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_norvasc.pdf
Riley, Gay. (no date). The Relationship between Weight Gain and Medications
for Depression and Seizures. NetNutritionist.Com. URL:
http://www.netnutritionist.com/fa.htm
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