Why Do Some Meds Increase Weight?

[Cathy V]

Without googling this, i was wondering if anyone here can throw any light on the reason some people gain weight when taking certain meds. I mean, what is it in the composition of some medication that causes the body to store fat?

I know some people have said, me included, that some meds like betablockers slow the system down so you dont burn off food quickly enough, but is this true or only an assumption?

Ive read threads from the past where people have discussed this, and even though theyve said it happens, nobody has ever said why. Ive put on 2st in a year, thats alot of choccy bars....not! So what do these meds do to us to make us gain so much weight?

Any ideas?
Cathy xxx :shrug:

[pooh]

I'm stumped Cathy

only thing I can think is the universe is having a laff saying we'll help you out with one problem now lets see how you deal with the weight gain one LOL

I think we need a chemist to explain

Pooh x

[Karen]

Hi Cathy

Some medications are known to cause weight gain more than others.

Antidepressants can affect weight in several ways, they may increase or decrease basal metabolic rate without changing caloric intake, or they may affect hormonal changes and increase appetite.

I found this article (http://www.netnutritionist.com/fa12.htm) had a lot of information.

Karen xx

[Cathy V]

lol pooh, well i think there might be a few nurses around somewhere! :D xxx

Karen thanks for that link, it was very interesting...xxx

[milly jones]

when i was on lofepramine i lost 6 stone, part of which was due to a breakdown

im now on cipralex which appears to be ok, but then i started on an antipsychotic which is starting to add to my weight

when i told my doctor they satated that it must seem strange to give such meds to someone who lacks self esteem, but she said that once they have stabilised my moods then they can work on the weight gain

topsy turvy world we live in

milly xxx

[Cathy V]

This i agree with mill for sure. I began to take my meds for high bp, and as we know its importent to keep the weight off to help the bp to come down, but the meds theyve given me for it increase my weight! topsy turvey? you said it!

I still hope someone out there knows what they actually do to our system to increase the weight if you get me...blind me with science someone! Thanks.:)

Cathy xxx