1. Tricyclic Antidepressants

These medicines embody amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Silenor), and nortriptyline (Pamelor). “As a category, these medicine could improve urge for food to stimulate weight acquire,” says Jessica Nouhavandi, PharmD, the co-CEO and cofounder of Honeybee Well being, in Culver Metropolis, California. In the event you’re on antidepressants, don’t cease taking them abruptly; talk about it first along with your physician and develop a plan that can greatest help your psychological well being, notes Harvard Well being Publishing. If weight acquire is making you wish to cease taking your medicine, you possibly can discuss to your physician about switching to a different class of antidepressants. “Bupropion (Wellbutrin) or duloxetine (Cymbalta) are extra related to weight reduction, whereas fluoxetine (Prozac) is taken into account weight impartial,” says Dr. Nouhavandi.

2. Corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroids, reminiscent of prednisone (Deltasone), deal with a spread of situations, from bronchial asthma and arthritis to again ache and lupus, says Dr. Ellis. “These have lots of unwanted side effects, one in every of which is an elevated urge for food, fluid retention, and an altered metabolism,” she says. Pharmacists suggest taking corticosteroids together with meals, and Ellis suggests a wholesome, balanced snack, reminiscent of almonds or yogurt. Oral steroids are normally really helpful for a brief period of time (for example, per week or two-week dose), which limits unwanted side effects. If you must take them long run, it could be harder to regulate your weight acquire and also you’ll wish to be extra diligent with weight-reduction plan and train, she says.

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3. Antihistamines

In case you have allergic reactions or have ever had an itchy rash, you’ve possible taken antihistamines. “Research have proven that individuals who take sure antihistamines frequently have the next physique weight and waist circumference in contrast with those that don’t,” says Ellis. Analysis within the journal Weight problems discovered this affiliation with the H1 receptor antihistamines cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and desloratadine (Clarinex). Why? “Histamine within the physique turns off starvation indicators,” explains Ellis. In distinction, antihistamines could one way or the other intervene with fullness indicators, she says. One different are nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone propionate (Flonase). These work in another way from oral steroids, and are usually not related to weight acquire, she says.

4. Epilepsy Medicines

Medication that deal with seizures, together with gabapentin (Gralise), pregabalin (Lyrica), and vigabatrin (Sabril) could improve your urge for food, says Nouhavandi, probably resulting in weight acquire. “In case you are a affected person taking one in every of these medicines, it’s necessary to remember that weight acquire could also be a consequence. In the event you really feel that the medicine just isn’t for you, discuss to your physician about switching to epileptic medicines which are related to weight reduction or are weight impartial,” she says. Ask about felbamate (Felbatol), topiramate (Topamax), or lamotrigine (Lamictal).

5. Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are generally used to deal with hypertension, says Aaron Emmel, PharmD, the founding father of Pharmacy Tech Scholar in St. Augustine, Florida. Some usually tend to trigger weight acquire, together with atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Lopressor), notes the Mayo Clinic. The explanation behind an uptick on the dimensions isn’t clear, Dr. Emmel says, however beta-blockers could make you drained, particularly as you first begin taking the medicine. “It slows down your coronary heart fee and might lower your train tolerance,” he says. The fatigue and discomfort throughout exercise could make you extra more likely to keep sedentary, prompting weight acquire. One examine confirmed the drug could lower metabolism, too. For that cause, the researchers advised that people who’re obese or have weight problems shouldn’t be prescribed beta-blockers as a first-line remedy. As a substitute, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors could also be a greater choice, however discuss to your physician.

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6. SSRIs

SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a kind of antidepressant, which improve ranges of the neurotransmitter serotonin within the mind. Examples embody escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). These could trigger weight acquire by affecting your urge for food; additionally, by assuaging signs of temper issues, they might additionally have an effect on consuming or train habits, says Emmel. “In the event you expertise weight acquire, discuss to your doctor. Weight acquire normally occurs early, which indicators that it might change into a long-term downside for you,” he says.

7. MAOI

MAOI stands for monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which treats despair by blocking a mind enzyme that breaks down mood-balancing neurotransmitters reminiscent of serotonin and dopamine. It could even be used to scale back migraine signs. They usually may stimulate urge for food, says Nouhavandi, who notes that phenelzine (Nardil) causes essentially the most weight acquire on this class of medication. If this can be a concern for you, ask your physician if there are different choices.

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8. Insulin

In the event you’re taking insulin to deal with diabetes, know that it could promote weight acquire. Particularly, as a result of the hormone helps your physique take up the glucose out of your bloodstream. “Glucose is an efficient factor — the cells in your physique use it to work effectively,” says Mitchell Howard, PharmD, a scientific assistant professor within the division of pharmacy follow on the College of Toledo in Ohio. That stated, after sugar is absorbed from the bloodstream and pushed into cells, will probably be transformed into fats if it’s not utilized by your physique for power. In the event you’re overeating, significantly high-sugar meals (sweet, desserts), you’ll acquire weight, he says. In case you have kind 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin. But when you have kind 2 diabetes, life-style modifications will assist enhance insulin perform, and also you could possibly use weight-reduction plan and train to decrease (or ultimately get rid of) your insulin dosage, says Dr. Howard.

9. Sulfonylureas

One other widespread class of diabetes medicine, sulfonylureas scale back blood sugar ranges by 20 % but in addition trigger weight acquire of about 4 to five kilos (lb) on common, famous one examine. Sulfonylureas embody gliclazide (Diamicron) and glibenclamide (Glynase). These medicine stimulate pancreatic beta cells to launch insulin. “Extra insulin in your bloodstream pushes sugar into your cells,” says Howard. Ultimately, they trigger weight acquire much like injectable insulin. There are diabetes medicines, together with metformin (Fortamet) or SGLT2 inhibitors, that additionally promote weight reduction or are weight impartial, says Howard. The kind of drug that’s greatest for you is dependent upon your medical historical past, present well being standing, and value concerns, he says.

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10. Antipsychotics

These medicines can be utilized to deal with schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction. One particularly, olanzapine (Zyprexa), is related to the best potential to realize weight in contrast with different antipsychotics, says Howard. What’s extra, these kinds of medicine impair glucose perform and improve ldl cholesterol and triglycerides, placing sufferers extra in danger for growing metabolic syndrome, in response to analysis. Howard says lurasidone (Latuda) and ziprasidone (Geodon), two different antipsychotics, have a decrease likelihood of inflicting weight acquire.