- Remedies that can put on weight fast
- How to know if it is the fault of the drugs
- What to do if there is suspicion
- How to prevent weight gain
Some medicines, such as antiallergic, corticosteroids and even contraceptives, can have the side effect of putting on weight up to 4 kg per month, especially when they have hormones or are used for several weeks or months.
Although the mechanism is not yet well known, weight gain usually occurs because the drugs influence the production of some hormones that can lead to increased appetite. However, there are also others that can facilitate fluid retention or reduce metabolism, making it easier to gain weight.
Others, like antidepressants, can put on weight only because they produce the expected effect. In this case, for example, by improving mood and giving more disposition, antidepressants also make the person feel more appetite and eat more.
Remedies that can put on weight fast
Not all drugs are known to cause weight gain, however, some of those that most often cause this effect include:
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Amitriptyline, Paroxetine or Nortriptyline; Antiallergics, such as Cetirizine or Fexofenadine; Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, Methylprednisolone or Hydrocortisone; Antipsychotics, such as Clozapine, Lithium, Olanzapine or Risperidone; Antipyretics, such as Valproate or Carbamazepine; High blood pressure medications, like Metoprolol or Atenolol; Remedies for diabetes, Glipizide or Gliburide; Contraceptive, such as Diane 35 and Yasmin.
However, there are also many people who can take these remedies without any change in weight and, therefore, one should not stop taking the medicine just for fear of gaining weight.
If there is an increase in weight related to the use of any of these remedies, it is advisable to consult the doctor who prescribed it again, to evaluate the possibility of replacing it with a similar one that presents a lower risk of getting fat.
Check out a more complete list of remedies that put on weight and why it happens.
How to know if it is the fault of the drugs
The easiest way to suspect that a drug is causing weight gain is when that increase starts right during the first month that you start taking a new drug.
However, there are also cases where the person only begins to put on weight some time after already taking a medicine. In these cases, if the weight gain exceeds 2 kg per month and the person is maintaining the same rhythm of exercise and diet as before, it is likely that they are gaining weight because of some medication, especially if fluid retention is happening.
Although the only way to confirm is to consult the doctor who prescribed the medication, it is also possible to read the package insert and assess whether weight gain or appetite is one of the side effects.
What to do if there is suspicion
If there is a suspicion that some medicine is gaining weight, it is advisable to consult the doctor before stopping the use of the medicine, because, in some situations, interrupting the treatment can be more harmful than the weight gain.
In almost all cases, the doctor may choose another remedy with a similar effect that has a lower risk of causing weight gain.
How to prevent weight gain
As in any other situation, the process of weight gain can only be stopped with the reduction of calories in the body, which can be achieved through physical exercise and a balanced diet. Thus, even if a medication may be gaining weight, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so that this increase is small or non-existent.
In addition, it is also very important to inform the doctor immediately or go to all revision consultations, so that the effect of the medicine is re-evaluated and the treatment is appropriate according to the needs of each person.
Here is an example of a diet that you should stick to during treatment with some medicine that can make you fat.
