Do antihistamines make/keep you fat?

misssuperstitious

I first heard about this when my brother was in his early 20's. He was close to 300lb.s and went to our local health center (Mayo Clinic) for his physical. He knew he'd be told that he needed to lose weight, he'd always been told this...anyway, while going through his med lists, his Dr noted that he took benadryl almost daily. He did this to help him sleep, something my Mom had pushed forever... His Dr. then told him for some (unknown at that time) reason, some antihistamines made it VERY hard for people to lose weight, and that he should try going without benadryl for a while and see if it helped. Well he quit taking it and the weight started to fall off. He's a large framed guy, but for the first time ever, he started to look big and strong instead of nearly obese.
Anyway, maybe maybe it's a genetic thing, but I've noticed I drop weight easier when I'm not taking antihistamines too...which sucks when you're allergic to dust, smoke, etc.
I'll attach an article I found that supports this idea below, plus mentions that Antipsychotic drugs do the same thing...but my question is, have you ever heard this idea before?
*edit to add, I work in research myself and find this to be a credible study, if you actually READ the article, some allergy drugs do NOT have this effect*
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/555163/do_antipsychotic_drugs_and_antihistamines.html?cat=5

luv2ash

I take Allegra - a prescription antihistamine, and I don't believe it has kept me from losing any weight.

tamanella

I've heard from one of my doctors that any type of over the counter medicine, like tylenol pm or benadryl, will cause you to crave more food. I have to take benadryl daily too and I've always wondered if that had something to do with it. I'll definately check out that atricle.

Mustang_Susie

Interesting because antihistamines can also have a diuretic side effect which would cause you to lose water and thus weight.

runningneo122

Yes, I've read that and heard other people say that their experience was similar.

ETA: Same abt the psychotropics as well.

misssuperstitious

Do you think inhalers could also be included? I've had to be on one for runners lung since December. I'm going to try my best to stay away from every medicine I can't absolutely function without...

runningneo122

It's all about the ingredients and not the transferral form.

annoz

Crap- I sometimes take benedryl to sleep at night and I take Prozac daily. It is difficult for me to lose weight, but it is more difficult for me to function without my Prozac:)

Mustang_Susie

Do you think inhalers could also be included? I've had to be on one for runners lung since December. I'm going to try my best to stay away from every medicine I can't absolutely function without...

Some inhalers are streroids and those will cause you to feel more hungry and if you eat more well then...

crystal_sapphire

I first heard about this when my brother was in his early 20's. He was close to 300lb.s and went to our local health center (Mayo Clinic) for his physical. He knew he'd be told that he needed to lose weight, he'd always been told this...anyway, while going through his med lists, his Dr noted that he took benadryl almost daily. He did this to help him sleep, something my Mom had pushed forever... His Dr. then told him for some (unknown at that time) reason, some antihistamines made it VERY hard for people to lose weight, and that he should try going without benadryl for a while and see if it helped. Well he quit taking it and the weight started to fall off. He's a large framed guy, but for the first time ever, he started to look big and strong instead of nearly obese.
Anyway, maybe maybe it's a genetic thing, but I've noticed I drop weight easier when I'm not taking antihistamines too...which sucks when you're allergic to dust, smoke, etc.
I'll attach an article I found that supports this idea below, plus mentions that Antipsychotic drugs do the same thing...but my question is, have you ever heard this idea before?
*edit to add, I work in research myself and find this to be a credible study, if you actually READ the article, some allergy drugs do NOT have this effect*
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/555163/do_antipsychotic_drugs_and_antihistamines.html?cat=5

antihistimines can increase hunger in some people from what i know.

misssuperstitious

Do you think inhalers could also be included? I've had to be on one for runners lung since December. I'm going to try my best to stay away from every medicine I can't absolutely function without...

Some inhalers are streroids and those will cause you to feel more hungry and if you eat more well then...

That's what I was afraid of! I'm trying to wean myself off it, but I have bronchitis I'm also training for a marathon, so I have to run.

misssuperstitious

I first heard about this when my brother was in his early 20's. He was close to 300lb.s and went to our local health center (Mayo Clinic) for his physical. He knew he'd be told that he needed to lose weight, he'd always been told this...anyway, while going through his med lists, his Dr noted that he took benadryl almost daily. He did this to help him sleep, something my Mom had pushed forever... His Dr. then told him for some (unknown at that time) reason, some antihistamines made it VERY hard for people to lose weight, and that he should try going without benadryl for a while and see if it helped. Well he quit taking it and the weight started to fall off. He's a large framed guy, but for the first time ever, he started to look big and strong instead of nearly obese.
Anyway, maybe maybe it's a genetic thing, but I've noticed I drop weight easier when I'm not taking antihistamines too...which sucks when you're allergic to dust, smoke, etc.
I'll attach an article I found that supports this idea below, plus mentions that Antipsychotic drugs do the same thing...but my question is, have you ever heard this idea before?
*edit to add, I work in research myself and find this to be a credible study, if you actually READ the article, some allergy drugs do NOT have this effect*
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/555163/do_antipsychotic_drugs_and_antihistamines.html?cat=5

antihistimines can increase hunger in some people from what i know.

Yep! that's exactly what the study says, anti depressants too, which really stinks because a lot of people must depend on both!

LorinaLynn

I know from when I worked for a vet that some antihistamines and sedatives (like diazepam - Valium) are used as appetite stimulants in cats. When my 18 year old kitty had advanced renal and heart failure, she was on Valium. The antihistamine (cyproheptadine - brand name Periactin) just made her fall asleep, even while she was sitting up. But on the Valium, she ate well. Especially chicken nuggets. She looooved chicken nuggets! :laugh:

Mustang_Susie

Do you think inhalers could also be included? I've had to be on one for runners lung since December. I'm going to try my best to stay away from every medicine I can't absolutely function without...

Some inhalers are streroids and those will cause you to feel more hungry and if you eat more well then...

That's what I was afraid of! I'm trying to wean myself off it, but I have bronchitis I'm also training for a marathon, so I have to run.

Talk with your doctor and see if you can be switched to a non-steroidal inhaler.

misssuperstitious

Do you think inhalers could also be included? I've had to be on one for runners lung since December. I'm going to try my best to stay away from every medicine I can't absolutely function without...

Some inhalers are streroids and those will cause you to feel more hungry and if you eat more well then...

That's what I was afraid of! I'm trying to wean myself off it, but I have bronchitis I'm also training for a marathon, so I have to run.

Talk with your doctor and see if you can be switched to a non-steroidal inhaler.

GREAT idea! Thanks!