"It's painful enough already"... What are the medicines that cause weight gain?

Antidepressants that produce happiness hormones

Some types of antidepressants, which are known to cause many side effects such as insomnia, headaches, and even destroying patients' sex lives, have been found to induce weight gain.

Dr. Harvey Ngo-Hamilton, a pharmacist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in the United States, said, "Tricyclic antidepressants are generally associated with weight gain," and "it is estimated that taking tricyclic antidepressants can lead to an increase of about 0.9 kg in weight per month." He added, "Patients often did not have much desire to eat, but this medication can regulate the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone, which can increase appetite."

Antipsychotic medication prescribed to dementia patients

Dr. Eung-go-Hamilton said, "Antipsychotics, which can be prescribed for patients with serious health issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, as well as some dementia patients, decrease our body's metabolic rate." This refers to the amount of energy consumed during rest. People with slower metabolism convert food into energy more slowly, so they may burn fewer calories.

Dr. Eung-go-Hamilton said, "Part of the weight gain may be due to urinary retention, which is known as an antipsychotic side effect that prevents the kidneys from properly removing toxins and waste from the urine."

Anticonvulsant medication that reduces neuralgia

Taking medications that reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures and neuralgia may cause weight gain in some patients. Dr. Coagulo-Hamilton stated, "The mechanism by which anticonvulsants induce weight gain is unclear, but patients taking these medications are estimated to gain about 2.3 kg in the first few months."

Beta blockers that lower heart rate

Beta blockers are medications that lower blood pressure and block the effects of hormones such as epinephrine or adrenaline, helping to improve blood flow and reduce heart rate.

Dr. Eung-go-Hamilton stated, "Several older beta-blockers such as metoprolol, atenolol (Tenormin), and propranolol have been found to cause weight gain," and added, "Although the exact mechanism is still unclear, similar to anticonvulsants, there is a theory that these drugs decrease metabolic rate, much like antipsychotics."

According to another study, beta blockers can cause fatigue and make exercise difficult because they reduce blood pressure and the amount of blood the heart pumps. Dr. Gungoh Hamilton stated, "It is estimated that during the first six months of taking one of the older beta blockers, weight may increase by 2.7 kg."

Corticosteroids that reduce inflammation

Corticosteroids are medications taken to reduce inflammation in the body, mimicking the effects of cortisol, a hormone secreted when the body experiences stress or injury, thereby reducing inflammation. Mimicking cortisol can increase appetite.

This drug is different from synthetic steroids that increase testosterone levels to enhance athletic performance. Corticosteroids are generally taken for only a few days at a time, but in cases of specific issues such as autoimmune diseases, they may be prescribed for a longer period.

Dr. Eung-go-Hamilton said, "There is no need to worry about weight gain in people taking it for a few days. Experiencing weight gain is for those who need to take steroids chronically." He stated, "If a patient takes steroids for a year, their weight can increase by up to 9 kg."

Progestin-containing contraceptive injection

Hormonal contraception has long been known to cause weight gain. However, Dr. Coagulation-Hamilton stated, "Most forms of contraception do not increase weight," but added, "One type of contraception called Depo-Provera has been shown to cause weight gain."

This is an injection containing the hormone progestin, administered once every three months. The label on this medication states that 38% of women who participated in clinical trials experienced a weight gain of more than 9 kg after using the contraceptive for two years.

Statins that lower cholesterol

Statins, medications that lower cholesterol levels, inhibit the production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol. This cholesterol can harden and narrow the arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA Internal Medicine), patients taking statins experienced a weight gain of 5.4 to 10 kg over ten years compared to those not taking the medication.

However, Dr. Coagulo-Hamilton said, "Much of the evidence is limited," and "Affordable medications that lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease are not worth stopping due to potential weight gain." He added, "These benefits are definitely greater than the risks associated with a small amount of weight gain."