Do Pain Pills Make You Gain Weight?
Pain pills are prescribed for post-surgery, injuries, chronic pain and other conditions. Medicines can have different side effects and it's important to know what they are. Many pain pills are only available through a prescription and your pharmacy should provide a list of side effects with the pills. Although normally pain pills will not make you gain weight, constipation is a common side effects that may influence your weight.
Other People Are Reading
-
Hydrocodone
-
Hydrocodone, (Lortab, Vicodin, etc.) according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), it is the most prescribed narcotic pain reliever in the United States. It is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain relief and for cough suppression. Hydrocodone can be prescribed with acetaminophen. Drugs.com lists its less serious side effects to be feelings of anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting and constipation. Taking hydrocodone continuously for days at a time can cause some weight gain due to constipation. But once off the medicine, you should lose the weight as your body returns to its normal rhythm.
Oxycodone
-
Oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin, etc.) is a narcotic pain reliever also commonly combined with acetaminophen. Side effects of oxycodone are similar to hydrocodone, like dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and constipation. If you take oxycodone on a consistent basis over a period of time, you may develop some weight gain due to the constipating effects of the drug.
-
Darvocet
-
Darvocet is also a narcotic pain reliever. It may also be prescribed with acetaminophen to enhance the effects of the drug. It exhibits the same side effects of both hydrocodone and oxycodone. Again, the only common reason for weight gain while taking Darvocet would be if you became started feeling constipated.
Ibuprofen
-
Ibuprofen, also known as Motrin and Advil, are anti-inflammatory drugs that target pain and inflammation in your body. It can also be used as a fever reducer. Some side effects that could possibly cause weight gain include constipation and bloating. Ibuprofen may or may not have these effects on your body, but knowing the possible side effects can be helpful if you are experiencing weight gain issues.
Aspirin
-
Aspirin is a type of drug called salicylates, which are aimed at reducing fever, mild to moderate pain and inflammation in the body. There are not any normal side effects for taking aspirin that would cause you to gain weight.
Constipation and Weight Gain
-
If you are experiencing constipation due to a pain pill, you may want to consider adding more fiber into your diet. This will combat some of the blockage in your digestive system and cause you to have more frequent and easier bowel movements. If this becomes a problem and you cannot find relief from constipation, talk to your doctor about switching your prescription. Remember that although constipation is a common side effect with pain medicines, it may not be the primary reason that you are gaining weight.
-
