Can medication actually cause weight gain?

Medicine-related weight gain is not uncommon, especially with certain types of medicines. For example, many steroids can cause weight gain. So can medicines that treat mental health problems, such as depression and schizophrenia. Men and women of all ages can have medicine-related weight gain.

What to do if medication causes weight gain?

Here are some ways to lose weight gained due to medication use:

1. Switch to a different medication. The first strategy to consider involves changing medications.
2. Lower medication dosage.
3. Limit portion sizes.
4. Exercise.
5. Eat more protein.
6. Talk to a dietitian.
7. Avoid alcohol.
8. Get enough sleep.

Can medication prevent you from losing weight?

It’s not only medical conditions that can add pounds. Some medications can also cause you to gain weight, or keep you from losing it, says Ken Fujioka, MD, medical director of the Scripps Clinic Nutrition and Metabolism Research Center in San Diego.

What medications cause rapid weight loss?

Fluoxetine – antidepressant. Galantamine and Rivastigmine – used to treat dementia in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease….Anti-infective drugs:

• Antibacterial – Metronidazole.
• Antifungals – Amphotericin B.
• Antimalarials – Atovaquone, Pyrimethamine.
• Antiretrovirals – Didanosine, Zalcitabine.
• Anti-TB – Ethionamide.

What psych meds make you lose weight?

The newest result for psychiatry is Contrave, approved last month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. This medication is a combination of naltrexone and bupropion extended release. Contrave is the third medication approved by the FDA for weight loss.

Is there a medicine I can take to gain weight?

Oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, is typically prescribed for those who need to gain weight after a severe weight loss due to surgery, injury or medical conditions such as osteoporosis, according to MedlinePlus. Generally, oxandrolone is used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program to increase weight gain.

What is the best medicine to gain weight?

Paxil (paroxetine) Paxil is one of the best anxiety treatments, but if you gain weight while using it you could talk with a doctor about switching to a more weight-neutral SSRI such as Prozac or Zoloft, says Louis Aronne , MD, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center , in New York City.

Are there medications that can make you gain weight?

Insulin, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and even migraine medications can all cause weight gain, and some may even worsen the health conditions they’re trying to treat. Sudden weight gain is never a reason to stop your medication without seeing your doctor first.