If you’ve packed on a few extra pounds and don’t know why, take a look in your medicine cabinet. Pharmacist Doug White explains which drugs can cause you to gain weight.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
If your weight is going up and you’re not sure why, one place to look may be right inside your medicine cabinet.
That’s because some drugs can lead to weight gain. Here are a few you should be aware of.
Certain types of antidepressants known as tricyclics and MAO inhibitors affect parts of the brain that control appetite, prompting you to eat more, without realizing it.
Steroids like prednisone can also make you feel hungrier.
The estrogen in birth control pills can make women retain water and could add up to five pounds to that number on the scale.
Certain drugs for heartburn and diabetes also have weight gain as a possible side effect.
If you suspect a drug is adding extra pounds, don’t stop taking it without talking to your doctor.
You may be able to ward off or reverse the weight gain by keeping a closer eye on your diet and getting more physical activity.
If that doesn’t work, find out if there are other medicines you can try that don’t lead to weight gain.
As always, if you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.