Medication and weight gain

Medication you are taking may have an effect on your weight. It may cause your weight to increase or decrease. In some people it may have no effect at all. There is no way of predicting who will be affected by which medication. Illness may cause your weight to vary. Weight can increase or decrease with certain physical illnesses (eg. Thyroid problems) and with mental health problems (eg. depression)

Everyone's weight varies from day to day and during the day. A persistent weight increase would be regarded as a weight gain. You may discover this if you weigh yourself regularly or you feel that your clothes are tighter

IS WEIGHT GAIN GOOD OR BAD?
This depends on your starting weight. If you are underweight, a weight gain is healthy. If weight gain makes you overweight, this can lead to a number of other problems e.g. high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and diabetes. The risk of developing these illnesses is increased if you smoke, drink an excessive amount of alcohol or have a family history of these diseases. Being overweight can also affect your self-esteem, confidence and ability to mix with others

WHAT CAUSES WEIGHT GAIN?
The exact reason for weight gain with medication is unknown

1. Medication may interfere with certain brain chemicals and affect a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus deals with the feeling of hunger and appetite. If this is stimulated by the medication you are taking you may become hungry and eat more
2. When unwell, you may eat more and do less exercise - this results in weight gain
3. You may crave carbohydrates in the form of bread, pastries and sweet food. This occurs as a side effect of some medication and as part of pre-menstrual syndrome
4. Medication may cause a dry mouth and you may drink more soft drinks which are high in sugar or hot drinks with sugar. Although diet drinks have less calories, they contain a chemical called aspartame which stimulates the appetite and thus encourages you to eat more

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GAIN WEIGHT

1. Do not panic and do not stop taking your medication
2. Alter your diet. This is easier said than done. However, you can start with a few simple changes:
   • Increase the amount of fruit you eat
   • Increase the amount of fresh vegetables you eat
   • Reduce the foods that have high sugar and high fat content
   • Drink water instead of soft drinks
   • Try to reduce the amount of bread, pastries and sweets you eat
   • If you feel hungry, eat a piece of fruit
   • Do not starve yourself
   • If you cut out carbohydrates for 10-14 days, the carbohydrates cravings should reduce
     
3. If possible, try to increase the amount of exercise you take. If you have been unable to take any exercise then start exercising very slowly. You could start with a short walk and gradually build this up. Some people find benefit from swimming or cycling. Whatever you do, start with a small amount
4. Talk to your Practice Nurse about what activities you do on a regular basis. It is important that you have a structure to your day. If you have no plans for the day, you are more likely to sit at home, comfort eat and do no exercise
5. Occasionally it may be necessary to change your medication because of weight gain. You can discuss this with your doctor

HELP AND SUPPORT

• Medicines Information Service (Leeds) 0113 234 2575 www.ukmileeds.nhs.uk
• Your own doctor
• www.nhs.uk Free information service on all aspects of health problems, NHS services and other local services

Source text: Leeds Mental Health Trust and Leeds Primary Care Trusts
Image source: bbc.co.uk
The original version of this leaflet was written by Ardsley Community Mental Health Team, East Ardsley Health Centre, Wakefield WF3 2DN

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Last revision: April 2011