How to Cope With Weight Gain from Medication

Certain prescription medications such as those for diabetes, high blood pressure and psychiatric disorders and some over the counter medicines can cause weight gain. Because the medications you take may be critical to your health, it is important to continue to take your medicine as prescribed. If you understand what is causing your weight gain, you may be able to make some adaptations to help you better control your weight.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Medications that Can Cause Weight Gain

1. Tricyclic antidepressants like Elavil and Trofanil cause a drop in metabolic rate which can add a pound a week. Among the newer SSRI antidepressants, Prozac, Celexa and Lexapro are less likely to cause weight gain than Paxil or Zoloft.
2. Anti psychotics: Absenor, Zypreza, Risperdal and the older Haldol as well as Lithium, used to treat schizophrenia and other psychosis, are associated with weight gain.
3. Anti seizure medications such as Depakote and Valproate are know to cause weight gain.
4. Anti migraine medications that cause weight gain include:Sandomigrin, Ergenyl and Trypizol.
5. Other medicines that can cause weight gain include blood pressure medications such as Inderal and Cardura; Steroids such as cortisone and prednisone, used for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation or allergies; antihistamines,insulin and other diabetic medications, birth control pills and some over the counter heartburn medications.

What You Can Do About the Weight Gain

6. Think about what you are eating. Stop and think if you are really hungry or if an activity other than eating is what you need.
7. Recognize that whether the medication increases your appetite or slows your metabolism, it is no harder to lose this weight than any other weight.
8. Exercise regularly and increase your daily physical activity. Park farther away than necessary and walk, take the stairs and try to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity every day.
9. Fruits, vegetables and other low calorie foods will fill you up but won't add pounds.
10. Avoid sugary sodas. Drink water and only low calorie beverages.
11. Don't stop taking your medication. Call your doctor and ask her if there is another medication that you might take instead. If your doctor prescribes an alternative, be sure to follow her instructions exactly as you change medications.

Tips & Warnings

• Each person is different. Not all people will react the same way to any medication. The same drug can cause weight gain in one person and weight loss in another.
• Consider seeing a dietitian, nutritionist or personal trainer. Sometimes, all that is needed are some lifestyle changes.
• Gaining a large amount of weight can put you at risk for other health problems such as heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. Do not stop taking your medicine. Be sure to call your doctor and let him know what is happening.