{"id":7925,"date":"2020-01-27T09:00:37","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T14:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7925"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:06:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:06:05","slug":"medications-that-cause-weight-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medications-that-cause-weight-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"8 medications that cause weight gain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unwanted weight gain is often alarming, but when a necessary medication is the cause of those extra pounds, it can be confusing and frustrating. Dozens of medications, including <\/span>antidepressants<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>antihistamines<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>mood stabilizers<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>beta-blockers<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>anti-diabetic medications<\/span><\/a> can cause weight gain. It happens for a host of reasons, including increased appetite, increased insulin resistance and slowed metabolism. Knowing the medications that cause weight gain\u2014and how they do so\u2014puts you on track to counteract adverse effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do medications cause weight gain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most medications that cause weight gain<\/a> are orexigenic, meaning they stimulate the appetite and increase food consumption. \u201cHowever, in patients who are experiencing loss of appetite from a variety of medical reasons or old age, this effect can be beneficial for promoting appetite increase and weight gain,\u201d says <\/span>Karen Cooper<\/span><\/a>, DO, the director of weight management at the Cleveland Clinic<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other medications, such as steroids, lead to changes in metabolism and appetite, while anti-diabetic medications affect insulin resistance. <\/span>Antidepressants<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>antipsychotics<\/span><\/a>, and other drugs used for mental health can lead to weight changes in different ways, depending on the medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

What medications cause weight gain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

This list of medications that cause weight gain can help you determine whether an increase in weight is associated with medication:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Anti-diabetic medications<\/b> such as insulin and sulfonylureas (<\/span>Glynase<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Amaryl<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Glucotrol<\/span><\/a>, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Antidepressants,<\/b> including commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as <\/span>Prozac<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Zoloft<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Paxil<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Anti-epileptic medications<\/b> such as <\/span>Neurontin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Depakene<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Tegretol<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Antihistamines<\/b> such as <\/span>Allegra<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Zyrtec<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Antihypertensives<\/b> and beta-blockers such as <\/span>Inderal<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Lopressor<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Antipsychotics<\/b> such as <\/span>Zyprexa<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Risperdal<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Latuda<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Corticosteroids<\/b> such as <\/span>Decadron<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Prednisone<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Cortef<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Mood stabilizers<\/b> such as <\/span>Lithobid<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How can you tell if a medication is causing weight gain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Joshua Septimus<\/span><\/a>, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital, has a three-step process to determine whether a medication is the cause of unwanted weight gain:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. First, look at the timing of the weight gain. If the weight gain happened shortly after starting the new drug, that\u2019s a strong indicator.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Also look to make sure that you haven\u2019t changed your lifestyle or dietary habits since starting a new medication. Keeping a log of food and exercise can help you spot any differences.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Make sure you don\u2019t have any other signs of medical conditions that might trigger weight gain. (A physical exam can help with this.) Weight gain is often a situation you need to be holistic about, so look at your history and any changing social dynamics or habits.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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