Practice Consideration
Medications That Cause Weight Gain
| » Beta-blockers, may reduce thermogenesis(1) » Some diabetic medications(2-4) – Thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas improve glucose utilization, may increase the uptake of free fatty acids, reduce lipolysis, stimulate appetite and promote fluid retention – Injectable insulin can increase glucose utilization and stimulate appetite » Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants, exhibit antihistaminic activity that promotes appetite; monoamine oxidase inhibitors alter insulin secretion(4) » Antipsychotics (particularly lithium) have antihistaminic activity that stimulates appetite(5-7) » Antiepileptic drugs, including gabapentin, valproate and carbamazepine, stimulate appetite(8) » Antihistamines have antihistaminic activity that stimulates appetite(9) » Corticosteroids increase fat deposition, stimulate appetite and promote fluid retention(10) |
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References
1. Sharma AM, Pischon T, Hardt S, Kunz I, Luft FC. Hypothesis: beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and weight gain: a systematic analysis. Hypertension. 2001; 37: 250-254.
2. Fowler M. Diabetes treatment, part 2: oral agents for glycemic management. Clin Diabetes. 2007; 25: 131-134.
3. Bolen S, Feldman L, Vassy J, Wilson L, Yeh, HC, Marinopoulos S, Wiley C, Selvin E, Wilson R, Bass EB, Brancati FL. Systematic review: comparative effectiveness and safety of oral medications for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Intern Med. 2007; 147: 386-399.
4. Leslie WS, Jankey CR, Lean MEJ. Weight gain as an adverse effect of some commonly prescribed drugs: a systematic review. QJM. 2007; 100: 395-404.
5. Allison DB, Mentore JL, Heo M, Chandler LP, Cappelleri JC, Infante MC, Weiden PJ. Antipsychotic-induced weight gain: a comprehensive research synthesis. Am J Psychiatry. 1999 156; 1686-1696.
6. Brown S, Ramesh R, Newson S, Isaacs R. Lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors in patients with bipolar disorder. Prog Neurol Psychiatry. 2013; 17: 28-33.
7. Deshmukh R, Fanco K. Managing weight gain as a side effect of antidepressant therapy. Clev Clin J Med. 2003; 70: 614-623.
8. Ness-Abramof R, Apovian CM. Drug-induced weight gain. Drugs Today. 2005;41: 547-555.
9. Ratliff J, Barber J, Palmese L, Reutenauer EL, Tek C. Association of prescription h1 antihistamine use with obesity: results from the national health and nutrition examination survey. Obesity. 2010; 18: 2398-2400.
10. Prummel MF, Berghout A, Wiersinga WM, Mourits MP, Koorneef L, Blank L. Randomized double-blind trial of prednisone versus radiotherapy in Graves' ophthalmopathy. Lancet. 1993; 342: 949-954.
Updated October 11, 2020