When Your Weight Gain Is Caused by Medicine
Some medicines can cause certain people to put on weight. This type of weight gain depends on a number of factors; such as type of medicine, your age, your sleep patterns, and other medical conditions you may already have. Medicine-related weight gain is not uncommon, especially with certain types of medicines. For example, many steroids can cause weight gain. So can medicines that treat mental health problems, such as depression and schizophrenia. Men and women of all ages can have medicine-related weight gain.
What causes medicine-related weight gain?
“There are different ways that a medication may lead to weight gains,” said Winston Lai DO, a family medicine doctor at PIH Health Wilshire medical office building. “Some medicines might stimulate your appetite, causing you to eat more and gain extra weight. Some medicines might affect your body’s metabolism. This causes your body to burn calories at a slower rate. Some medicines might cause you to retain water, making you weigh more even if you don't put on extra fat. Other medicines might affect how your body stores and absorbs sugars and other nutrients.”
If a medicine causes you to be tired or have shortness of breath, you might be less likely to exercise. This can cause you to gain weight. For certain medicines, researchers aren’t exactly sure what triggers the weight gain.
Medicines that may cause weight gain include:
- Medicines for diabetes, such as insulin, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas
- Antipsychotic medicines such as haloperidol, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and lithium
- Antidepressant medicines like amitriptyline, imipramine, paroxetine, escitalopram, citalopram, mirtazapine, and sertraline
- Epilepsy medicines like valproate, divalproex, carbamazepine, and gabapentin
- Steroid hormone medicines like prednisone or birth control pills
- Blood pressure-reducing medicines like beta-blockers such as propranolol and metoprolol
It’s important to note that not all medicines of these types cause weight gain. For example, the diabetes medicine metformin might make you lose weight instead of gain it. Topiramate (a medicine used for seizures and migraines) also can help a person lose weight.
How is medicine-related weight gain diagnosed?
Your primary care doctor will note your change in weight with records from past medical appointments. Your doctor may ask you about changes in your eating or exercise habits. Your doctor will also do a physical exam to make sure your weight gain isn’t the result of something else, like retaining fluids or pregnancy.
Not all weight gain is caused by taking medicine, of course. Your healthcare provider will look at your medicine list to see whether you are taking any that can cause weight gain. If you started gaining weight when you began one of these medicines, then there is a chance that the medicine is at least partly to blame.
How is medicine-related weight gain treated?
According to Dr. Lai, “Treatment will depend on the situation. In some cases, your doctor will recommend switching to another medicine that’s not as likely to cause weight gain. This is especially likely if you have gained a lot of weight and your health is affected.”
In other cases, it may not be possible to stop taking the medicine that is causing your weight gain. There might not be another medicine available that can effectively treat your symptoms. For example, people with certain mental health problems might do well with only 1 or 2 medicines. In that case, you might be able to switch to a lower dose of the medicine.
If you are concerned that a medicine is causing you to gain weight, make an appointment to talk with your doctor. Dr. Lai emphasizes, “Never stop taking a medicine without talking with your doctor first.”
During the visit, you can discuss all of your treatment choices. Together you can make sure the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks from weight gain.
If you need to keep taking a medicine, you still have choices. Your doctor may advise that you see a dietitian and possibly a psychologist to help you learn to make better eating choices. Getting more exercise can also help treat weight gain. Limiting your portion sizes and eating more slowly at meals can also help.
To find a PIH Health primary care physician, visit PIHHealth.org/Physicians.
