In present times, losing weight has become a huge business, and products that help patients in losing weight are sold by millions. Still, humanity is suffering from various other kinds of diseases for which medicines are necessary. Unfortunately, some of these medicines can trigger weight gain, especially if an individual is trying to lose weight.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline belongs to the class of tricyclic antidepressants, and it was discovered by a scientist working at Merck, an American pharmaceutical company, in the late 1950s. Medical usage of this medicine was approved in 1961, and presently, it is enlisted as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization. It is mostly used in the treatment of the major depressive disorder, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and migraine. Amitriptyline increases serotonin production, resulting in improved mood and reduced sensation of pain. Interestingly, it is only used as a secondary medicine because of its side effects, which are dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, and weight gain. In a controlled study, participants were prescribed amitriptyline for six months. All the participants gained at least 3 pounds at the end of the test.
Brand Name: Elavil
Atenolol
Largely used in the management of high blood pressure and chest pain experienced because of certain heart conditions. Sometimes it is also used in the treatment of migraines and irregular heartbeat. It is a beta-blocker, and it works by changing the body’s response to nerve impulses in specific areas, particularly in the heart. This leads to a decrease in beats per minute, resulting in lowered blood pressure. A huge advantage of atenolol is that it can be used with other blood pressure medicines. Unfortunately, some common side effects of this medicine are heart failure, depression, shortness of breath, and weight gain. In addition to these, it can lead to bronchospasm, a sudden constriction of muscles in the lungs.
Brand Name: Tenormin
Cetirizine
Also enlisted as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization, cetirizine is an antihistamine that is primarily used for allergies, dermatitis, and hives. It is only administered orally. Cetirizine was approved for medical use in 1987, and it works by blocking the production of histamines, a compound that is released as a response of the immune system to allergens. It doesn’t cause automatic weight gain like other medicines; however, it stimulates the appetite, which leads to a person eating more food. Additionally, it can cause sleepiness, abdominal pain, and headache.
Brand Name: Zyrtec
Doxepin
Doxepin is also a tricyclic antidepressant; however, it is also prescribed to patients with sleeping disorders in addition to the conditions it was designed for; major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Interestingly, it is also used as an antihistamine to treat hives; however, it is only prescribed for this condition if other medicines are not applicable in the situation. It is known to cause weight gain, dry mouth, sleepiness, nausea, and blurred vision, but those are the least concerning adverse effects of this medicine. Because it can also induce suicidal thoughts and mania. It works by slowing down brain activity.
Brand Name: Silenor
Escitalopram
This medicine belongs to the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medicines. It is administered orally, and it is prescribed to patients suffering from major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Surprisingly, it only took 3.5 years to develop escitalopram, and it was developed as a result of cooperation between Lunbeck and Forest Laboratories, a Danish and American pharmaceutical company, respectively. Frequently experienced side effects of this medicine include nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and unintentional weight gain.
Brand Name: Lexapro
GabapentinÂ
Gabapentin became the 10th most used medicine in the United States in 2019, with over 47 million people using it for the management of seizures, neuropathic pain, postherpetic pain, and central pain. About 40% of the prescription written for gabapentin is used by diabetics to treat pain because of nerve damage because of diabetes. Shockingly, in the early 1990s, Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical company, bribed physicians to prescribe gabapentin to patients. Gabapentin works by changing the electrical signals in the brain. It is common to experience dizziness, swelling, and weight gain. Additionally, it can cause suicidal behaviors.
Brand Name: Gralise
Glibenclamide
It is one of the most commonly used diabetes medicine in the United States, and it is often prescribed to patients with type-2 diabetes. Despite that, it is always prescribed as an additional medicine with other diabetic medication. It was first approved for medical use in 1984. As for the adverse effects, it can cause heartburn, nausea, low blood sugar, and angioedema. Glibenclamide is known to increase weight, as much as 1.7 kilograms in just 2 months course.
Brand Name: Glibewell
Metoprolol
Metoprolol belongs to the beta-blocker class of medicines. Unsurprisingly, it is used in the treatment of elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, myocardial infarction, and chest pain caused by any of these conditions. The World Health Organization has declared it an essential medicine and in 2019, more than 74 million prescriptions were written for this medicine, making it the 5th most used medicine in the United States. It is administered both orally and intravenously. It is not uncommon for patients to gain weight on this medicine, along with experiencing fatigue, insomnia, and even fainting. Moreover, patients are strongly advised to slowly decrease their dose while coming off this medicine, as abruptly stopping this medicine can cause heart failure.
Brand Name: Lopressor
Olanzapine
Olanzapine is largely used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works by balancing the number of neurotransmitters like dopamine, in the system. In excess, dopamine can cause hallucinations and delusions. Although it was patented in 1991, it was approved for medical use in 1996. Pregnant women are strongly advised against this medicine, as it can cause movement disorder in the baby. Olanzapine is commonly associated with weight gain, dizziness, low blood pressure while standing, and increased blood sugar.
Brand Name: Zyprexa
Nortriptyline
This medicine was first used medically in 1964, and it is prescribed to patients experiencing depression, neuropathic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking. It is not actively prescribed to young patients, as it leads to suicidal thoughts. Despite that, over 4 million prescriptions of nortriptyline are written each year in the United States. Other side effects of this medicine include dry mouth, constipation, weakness, and weight gain.
Brand Name: Pamelor
Prednisone
This is a unique kind of drug that doesn’t become activated unless it is metabolized by the liver. It is converted into prednisolone in the liver, which then binds to glucocorticoid receptors, resulting in alterations in gene expression. Prednisone is used in the treatment of inflammation caused by asthma and rheumatologic diseases. Additionally, it is used to manage high blood calcium and adrenal insufficiency. Unfortunately, it also comes with serious side effects such as cataracts, bone loss, and muscle weakness. Gaining weight is common on prednisone, as it causes blood to retain sodium.
Brand Name: Rayos
Pregabalin
Pregabalin is used in the treatment of epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and restless leg syndrome. It belongs to the anticonvulsant class of medicines, and it was introduced in 2004. It should be noted that it is a Schedule V drug in the United States, as pregabalin is known to be addictive. As for the adverse effects, it can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, poor coordination, memory impairment, and weight gain.
Brand Name: Lyrica