Are medications making you fat ?

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  • Pirschjaeger
    Pirschjaeger Posts: 15 Member
    I was put on abilify and it made me gain 20+ pounds. I went from 96 pounds to 120. It also raised my cholesterol to skyrocket to an embarrassingly high level. Which sucks because I believe it's supposed to be one of the drugs that doesn't cause as much weight gain. I'm also on a low dose. Since the issues are serious enough, I cannot just stop taking it and I was told all similar drugs would cause the same issue.
  • karen0214
    karen0214 Posts: 120 Member
    I am hypothyroid (low functioning thyroid gland) and phase 3 hypoadrenia (insufficient adrenal function). Both of these conditions themselves cause weight gain. I don't think the med for thyroid causes weight gain, but I am on hydrocortisone for adrenal function and that does cause weight gain, as well as water rentention and swelling. And on top of that, I do not have energy for exercising on a consistent basis, so the only way I can lose weight is to cut the calories. One thing I've learned, hormones are a major part of our body functioning properly and when the hormones get out of whack, it usually results in weight gain and a whole host of issues. But, we can't give up -- we just have to keep trying!!
  • KLK1986
    KLK1986 Posts: 89
    Birth control made me gain 20lbs. And I have Type 1 diabetes, so take insulin.....and insulin has an anabolic effect, making weight loss much more difficult.
  • Irish_Lanie
    Irish_Lanie Posts: 99
    Im currently on prednisone for almost a month now for my back and cant work out at all. :( Waiting on insurance to approve my MRI etc and in the meantime I have gained 8 pounds. So I rejoined MFP in hopes to at least keep better track of my food, help me be accountable for what Im eating, etc.
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    I was on Lyrica for my Fibromyalgia and I gained 35 pounds in 3 months, it certainly is possible.
  • TheBlondeGirl
    TheBlondeGirl Posts: 19
    I do think medications can make you gain weight! I started taking medication for anxiety and depression in September of 2012 and I have gained at least 30 pounds. I don't eat the best, and I never have. I think overeating and lack of exercise are to blame, but I also blame my pills. I gain a few pounds a week!
  • tlc0815
    tlc0815 Posts: 5
    I am on the Mirena too and I have had it for about 6 months and have noticed that I gained back most of my pregancy weight and other issues. I have been debating about getting mine removed and getting something else because I already had to start taking iron supplements because the mirena gave me an iron deficiency.
  • Symonep
    Symonep Posts: 181 Member
    I am on depo too and I think that it has contributed to my weight gain. But I am really enjoying not having TOM and not having to worry about getting pregnant. I, too, have been debating using another contraceptive, but the question is which one...
  • moran1917
    moran1917 Posts: 1,133 Member
    i gained 80 lbs in 10 months taking a combo of seroquel and effexor. now i take cirprlax and respiradone and i was able to maintain weight and stop gaining once i got on these meds. I started being able to lose when i got to the lowest dose of each that i could handle and remain stable. but the weight loss is different when i am off meds i lose consistantly, on meds erraitically.

    switching meds to find something that effected me less was important. also not letting the fog of the meds take over and keeping dilligent with my diary and exercise.
  • jodycoady
    jodycoady Posts: 598 Member
    Since I've been on symbyax then abilify I have been gaining weight at an alarming rate. It has also caused my cholesterol , blood sugar and blood pressure to rise. My doctor doesn't believe me when I tell her that I don't overeat. I'd like to hear some of your experiences and if and how you overcame this problem. Btw , my life depends on this medication so stopping it is out of the question.


    The pill really made me, if that counts) and I was on an antidepressant that made me too...Off both now, but I really hope it works out for you...Maybe after some time you will "level out"
  • jodycoady
    jodycoady Posts: 598 Member
    I am on depo too and I think that it has contributed to my weight gain. But I am really enjoying not having TOM and not having to worry about getting pregnant. I, too, have been debating using another contraceptive, but the question is which one...

    The copper IUD won't cause weight gain!
  • lrlnss
    lrlnss Posts: 29 Member
    On various types of birth control in the past 5 years, I've gained 40 pounds! :( and that was with working out and eating right.

    Went off it last month because I was so sick of it, which has helped. I know you (OP) said that's not an option for you. Good luck!
  • AshleyVeronica
    AshleyVeronica Posts: 69 Member
    Not only that but I find that so rude he said that!! Incredible how people can't seem to get it in their heads that yes for some people you can work out and eat great and STILL not see much difference. Guess that must be their fault according to them!
  • wolfi622
    wolfi622 Posts: 206
    Ask a Pharmacist, they are the most knowledgeable :)

    Sorry, I disagree. They may offer an opinion about medications only, but that is only a small part of what goes on with the body. They ONLY person qualified to make a medical judgement is your physician. A pharmacist, no mater how smart, is not a physician.
  • ECA67
    ECA67 Posts: 802 Member
    Im currently on prednisone for almost a month now for my back and cant work out at all. :( Waiting on insurance to approve my MRI etc and in the meantime I have gained 8 pounds. So I rejoined MFP in hopes to at least keep better track of my food, help me be accountable for what Im eating, etc.
    Thanks for reminding me. I am getting steroid shots in my spine too.
  • ECA67
    ECA67 Posts: 802 Member
    I'm going to ask my doctor to switch my abilify to lamictol. I hope that it will still work effectively. Does anyone else have weight gain issues from taking medications ? Please share with us.
  • ECA67
    ECA67 Posts: 802 Member
    Thanks for all the comments and advice.
  • ECA67
    ECA67 Posts: 802 Member
    I was on one of the medications that you are on and it made me gain weight, I went from a size 4 or 6 to a size 12. I couldn't take it anymore (being so chubby!) so my doctor put me on Wellbutrin instead and I lost the weight. I take birth control also but I am back to my normal size.
    Thanks !
  • sisterphonetica
    sisterphonetica Posts: 59 Member
    I'm on mirtazipine for migraine prophylaxis. It's wonderful that my migraines have almost vanished after years of borderline chronic migraine (12 per month), but I've put on 7kg in 6 weeks, while trying to lose weight. I can't come off this drug as I cannot go back to that time of agony and vomiting and having no control over my life because of trying to reduce my migraine triggers, but putting on all this weight is getting me down. I just tried on some dresses for a party and I can't get into most of them.

    HELP!
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