- Metabolic conditions
- Metabolic syndrome
- Polycystic ovarian disease
- Cushing's disease
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Eating disorders
- Bulimia
- 'Carbohydrate craving' syndrome
- Cardiovascular
- Congestive heart failure
- Idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Valvular disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Upper airway resistance syndrome
Medications that may cause weight gain
- Anticonvulsant
- Sodium Valproate (Depakene)
- Antidepressants
- Tricyclic
- can add up to 9lbs (4kg) a month
- Lithium based
- can add up to 2.5lbs (1.14kg) a month
- SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)
- may increase hunger
- Potential alternative drug
- Bupropion
- Tricyclic
- Antihistamines
- Cyproheptadine
- Diphenhydramine
- Antipsychotics
- Clozapine
- Haloperidol
- Neuroleptics
- Phenothiazines
- these drugs can add up to 5lbs (2.25kg) a week
- ask your psychiatrist about atypical antipsychotics
- Birth Control
- Progestins
- Oral contraceptives with low progesterone are less likely to cause weight gain
- Blood Pressure Medications
- Alpha blockers
- Beta blockers
- either drug can cause fatigue which may decrease activity
- amount of weight gain varies
- Older β-blockers, such as atenolo (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL) can cause weight gain. The average weight gain is no more than 4 pounds (about 2 kilograms).
- β-blockers, such as Carvedilol don't increase weight.
- Methyldopa
- Potential alternative drugs
- ACE inhibitors
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Cancer Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Women with breast cancer will likely gain weight
- may possibly slow metabolism
- May induce early menopause
- menopause may result in increased abdominal fat
- Women with breast cancer will likely gain weight
- Tamoxifen
- estrogen antagonist used to treat postmenopausal breast cancer
- may increase appetite
- Decadron
- Chemotherapy
- Cholesterol Medication
- Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
- Statin therapy depresses fat metabolism in older individuals (Limprasertkul 2012)
- Subject who took statins appears to have depressed fat metabolism compared to those who had similar diets and exercise habits but did not take statins.
- Despite elevated free fatty acid levels, Fat oxidation was significantly reduced during exercise in older subjects taking statin drugs
- Statin therapy depresses fat metabolism in older individuals (Limprasertkul 2012)
- Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
- Diabetes Drugs
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas
- may induce bouts of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which stimulates appetite
- can add up to 11lbs (5kg) first 3 to 12 months of treatment
- Potential alternative drug for those with type II diabetes
- metformin
- Migraine Medicines
- Valproic acid based
- Alternative drugs
- Most physicians are more likely to prescribe safer medications not associated with weight gain including
- Topamax
- Imitrix
- Most physicians are more likely to prescribe safer medications not associated with weight gain including
- Sleep Aids
- Diphenhydramine
- Steroid Anti-inflammatories
- used to treat chronic inflammation or rheumatoid arthritis
- can add up to 28lbs (13kg) on therapy
- Potential alternative drug
- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
- eg: Ibuprofen
- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
- Tuberculosis
- Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Modest dietary improvements along with an increase of physical activity may be enough to counteract the weight gain from most drugs.