Some people may face the problem of weight gain despite following a healthy diet, which may cause them to feel confused or anxious. However, specialists indicate that 10-15% of weight problems may be related to the use of certain types of medications. The effect of medications on weight varies from one individual to another; some people may experience a significant weight gain as a result of taking a certain medication, while others may not experience any gain when taking the same medication. Weight gain associated with medications depends on several factors, such as age, the type of medication used, and other health problems the patient suffers from. Through the Dalili Medical website, we will review a list of the most important of these factors.

**How ​​do medications lead to weight gain?**

 

Medications that may cause weight gain vary, and the mechanisms that lead to this differ. Among these mechanisms are:

- Some medications increase appetite, which leads to eating larger amounts of food and thus gaining weight.

- There are medications that affect the body's metabolic processes, which reduces or slows the body's ability to burn calories.

- Some medications affect how the body absorbs and stores sugars and other nutrients.

- Medications that cause fatigue and shortness of breath may reduce people's ability to exercise, leading to reduced activity and increased chances of weight gain.

- Some medications cause fluid retention in the body, which causes weight gain even in the absence of fat gain.

- There are medications that cause weight gain through unknown mechanisms.

**How ​​can weight gain associated with medications be detected?**

 

Weight gain resulting from medications is usually detected by monitoring changes in weight during medical visits, in addition to inquiring about any changes in appetite and eating habits, as well as physical activity. A physical examination is also performed to ensure that the weight gain is not due to other conditions such as fluid retention or pregnancy, and the patient's medical history and medications are taken into account.

**Does OCD treatment cause weight gain?**

Most psychiatric medications are associated with weight gain, but the percentages vary from one medication to another. A study showed that clomipramine caused 34.8% of people with OCD to gain weight, compared to sertraline and fluoxetine, which caused less weight gain (4.5% and

8.7%, respectively).

**Does weight loss occur after stopping psychiatric medications?**

 

 

Weight usually begins to decrease gradually when psychiatric medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics are stopped. However, if you are having difficulty losing weight or it continues to do so, it is advisable to see a doctor who can guide you towards a suitable diet and exercise plan, or may prescribe some medications to help.

What are the potential risks of using medications that lead to weight gain?

 

The risks of weight gain due to taking some prescribed medications are accompanied by the general risks associated with weight gain. It is important to note that not all weight gain is a cause for concern. If your weight was below normal or even within the ideal weight range before starting treatment, and you gain one kilogram as a result of taking the medication, this may not be a cause for concern. However, weight gain can be a source of serious complications if it exceeds acceptable limits. For example, if you are overweight and your doctor prescribes a medication that may lead to weight gain, this may not be the best option, especially if the side effects of the medication outweigh its benefits, or if you have a history of complications associated with weight gain. In this case, prescribing this medication may not be medically appropriate. Let's review some of the risks associated with weight gain:

- High blood pressure.

- Heart disease.

- Liver disease.

- Stroke.

- Type 2 diabetes.

- Sleep apnea syndrome.

Of course, some of these complications occur as a result of continued weight gain for a long time. In many cases, these complications do not appear if the patient takes steps to control his weight, such as following a healthy diet and exercising. There are also laws in some countries that require manufacturers of medications known to increase weight to bear the costs of treating complications resulting from weight gain, or to provide financial compensation to the patient or his family.

**Common medications that cause weight gain:**

. **Antidepressants:**- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by blocking receptors in the brain from absorbing serotonin, increasing the availability of this feel-good chemical to send messages between nerve cells. Although they have a positive effect on mood, they also affect appetite.

- If the patient is overweight, a suitable option may be to switch to antidepressants known to cause less weight gain, such as bupropion.

**. Birth control pills:**- Some birth control methods may lead to weight gain, because they contain a dose of the hormone progesterone, which increases appetite.

- The good news is that there are many options available for birth control, as some women have found that using a low dose of estrogen pills or a non-hormonal IUD does not affect their weight.

**. Beta blockers** and angiotensin-receptor blockers:

- These medications are used to treat blood pressure and may also help prevent migraines, but they can slow your metabolism, which can contribute to weight gain.

- Diuretics are usually the first choice for treating blood pressure. If your doctor prescribes these medications, it means that diuretics have not been effective enough, indicating that there are not enough options for your condition. So the solution remains to modify your lifestyle by improving your dietDietary, such as following a low-sugar vegetarian diet, in addition to exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.

**. Steroids**: These medications cause insomnia, increased appetite, and fluid retention.

- It is preferable to consult your doctor to determine the appropriate dose and the maximum duration during which the medication can be taken. To avoid insomnia resulting from the use of these medications, which may contribute to increasing the amount of food consumed at night, it is recommended to follow methods to improve sleep quality, such as avoiding watching TV in the late hours.

**. Antihistamines**: If you are one of the people who take antihistamines daily to avoid seasonal allergies or pet allergies, excessive use of these medications in the long term may lead to weight gain, especially in women.

- Although researchers do not know the exact reason behind this, they believe that it is related to disrupting the production of histamine in the body, which may lead to us feeling hungry.

- It is better to look for alternatives to prevent and treat allergies. For example, if you have a stuffy or runny nose, you can use a decongestant nasal spray instead of taking pills

**Epilepsy medications**Some medications used to treat epilepsy and seizures, as well as to prevent migraines, can lead to weight gain, as they help increase appetite. These medications include:

- Valproic acid.

- Carbamazepine.

- Gabapentin.

**Diabetes medications**Some medications used to treat diabetes can lead to weight gain, including the following categories:

- **Insulin**: Insulin helps sugar (glucose) enter cells from the blood. If glucose is not burned through exercise, it is stored in the body as fat.

- **Sulfonylureas**: These medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes, as they help increase insulin production, which reduces blood sugar levels and increases appetite. These medications include glipizide, glimepiride, and others.

- **Thiazolidinediones**: These medications are also used to treat type 2 diabetes, and may lead to weight gain and fluid retention. This class includes pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.

**High blood pressure medications** The use of some classes of high blood pressure medications, known as beta blockers, can lead to weight gain. Many of the older medications in this class can make the patient feel tired and exhausted, which reduces their physical activity and calorie burning, and thus may contribute to weight gain.

Beta blockers that may lead to weight gain include medications such as metoprolol, atenolol, and others.

**Cortisone** Cortisone is commonly used to treat chronic conditions such as asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatism and lupus. However, cortisone medications may cause many side effects, including increased appetite, fluid retention, and metabolic disturbances, which may lead to weight gain. To reduce these side effects, it is preferable to take cortisone with meals or healthy snacks such as yogurt or almonds. Examples of these medications include prednisone.

**Painkillers** Some types of painkillers may lead to unwanted weight gain. Therefore, it is important to reduce the use of non-prescription painkillers, although this has become common among many.

**Dealing with weight gain resulting from medications**

The method of dealing with weight gain associated with medications depends on the patient's condition, and the following measures can be taken (after consulting a doctor):

1. **Changing the medication**: The specialist doctor may decide to replace the medication that causes weight gain with a suitable and effective alternative, especially in cases where the medications lead to a significant increase in weight that negatively affects health.

2. **Reducing the dose of the medication**: If it is not possible to change the medication, the doctor may choose to reduce the dose used for the medication that causes weight gain.

3. **Reducing sodium intake**: It is recommended to avoid foods rich in sodium (such as table salt), especially processed and canned foods and fast food that contain large amounts of sodium. People taking antidepressants should be aware of signs of hyponatremia that these medications may cause, especially during the first month of use.

Increasing potassium intake: Following a diet rich in potassium is an effective way to lose weight resulting from medication use, in addition to many other health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and preventing strokes and osteoporosis. It is recommended to eat natural foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, spinach, coconut water, and others.

Eating small and frequent meals: Eating small meals helps control the increased appetite associated with medications, which reduces the feeling of hunger. It is preferable to focus on healthy, low-calorie foods, such as non-starchy vegetables.

Physical activity: Staying active and moving is essential for health and to avoid weight gain. All overweight patients are advised to consult their doctor about appropriate exercise activities for their health condition.

Intermittent fasting: Intermittent fasting may help you lose weight, provided your doctor approves it.

Get enough sleep: A good night's sleep is an important factor in supporting weight loss efforts, as it helps improve metabolism.