Common Medications That Can Cause Weight Gain

Here are the common medications that can cause weight gain

These common medications are proven to heal certain illnesses and provide relief when it comes to the health aspect, however, these can also cause weight gain.

Based on the article from The Healthy, here is the list of medicines that can make you gain more weight.

common medications cause weight gain
Photo courtesy of The Healthy

#1 Oral contraceptives: Depo-Provera, Yazmin

Dave Walker, RPh, on behalf of the MedShadow Foundation, said that all birth control meds release the hormone progesterone that can make you have a sudden strong desire for food. They increase your appetite and can cause water retention. Depo-Provera is considered as the main culprit in weight gain. It’s a shot that makes your period disappear. However, it makes the pounds appear instead.

#2 Beta blockers: Metoprolol, Propranolol, Tenormin

A report from Health.com. stated that older beta-blockers that are given to lower blood pressure—including Tenormin, Lopressor (metoprolol), and Inderal (propranolol), can cause extra pounds to the patient. It is worse when your metabolic rate is going down. Because of that, your body is burning fewer calories and you may need to take precautions to not gain weight.

#3 Insulin

Insulin drugs, used to treat Diabetes 1 and 2, are known to cause weight gain. However, it is a fact that people with diabetes are already overweight or prone to being overweight. This adds a burden to the problem, especially when their lifestyle is not that active.

#4 Antihistamines: Allegra, Zyrtec, Benadryl

Men and women taking antihistamines such as Allegra and Zyrtec weighed on average of 9.5 pounds and 4.4 pounds more, respectively, compared to those who are not taking the medications. This is according to the study in the journal Obesity in 2010.

#5 Steroids: Prednisone, Hydrocortisone

“We know prednisone and cortisone steroids can cause weight gain and possibly water retention. That’s just the way the cortisone and our natural body system works. It can increase our appetite,” Dr. Walker said. However, he noted that it’s generally seen with higher doses of the medication and longer treatment.

#6 Antidepressants: Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa

Antidepressants are supposed to make you feel better, however, 10 to15 percent of the population is prone to gain weight from these medications, according to Dr. Walker. Based on the article, these medications have serotonin and dopamine. They are neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and happiness and there is a possibility that eating more is included.

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