Getting fat: Should you blame your meds?

In the fifth part of our month-long “Take It Off Today” series, we look at medicines that can make you fat. It’s an unfortunate side effect, but some drugs can slow down your metabolism and increase your appetite. Madelyn Fernstrom, a show contributor and director of the Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, was invited on “Today” to discuss what to do if you suspect that your medicine is making you fat.

Patients who start taking new medications may notice that they’re putting on a few extra pounds. Many blame the weight gain on their drugs. They may be right — or they may be wrong. All medications have some side effects or what is called the “risk-benefit ratio.” The truth is that weight gain is a common side effect for some drugs, but not all. Some patients may not realize that they have either changed their lifestyle or cut back on their physical activities.

So before you blame your medication for making you fat, determine if your weight gain is truly a side effect. Some drugs cause a slow, steady weight gain over a period of time; others can cause you to put on a couple pounds in a week. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you think your drug is expanding your waist line:

What kind of drugs cause weight gain?
For weight gain to be listed as a side effect, 5 percent of the patients in a test group taking the medication have to experience it.  Many categories of drugs have well-defined weight-gain profiles, but others, such as certain antidepressants, have mixed results. For instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are prescribed to treat anxiety and depression, originally were thought not to cause weight gain. However, later on, it was found that Paxil and Zoloft do cause weight gain, but Prozac doesn’t.

Why do some drugs cause weight gain?
Drugs that cause weight gain either increase your appetite, causing you to eat more, or slow down your metabolism. The good news is that if you gain weight from these drugs, it is not harder to lose it. So this weight isn’t different than any other weight.

SPECIAL SERIES: HEALTH AND NUTRITION During July, Madelyn Fernstrom, a “Today” contributor and nutritionist, shares tips on how you can watch your weight and still enjoy food. 15 tips to stay on a diet at fast-food restaurants Getting fat: Should you blame your meds? 10 weight-loss myths that can ruin your diet Carbs: the good, the bad, and the ugly Stay hydrated without gaining weight For more on health, dieting, nutrition, and medical news, check out Today’s health section.

What can be done if the drug is causing weight gain?
Before you start a new medicine, ask your doctor if other patients who have been prescribed the drug have reported weight gain. Even if weight gain is not a formal side effect included on the medication’s packaging, your doctor may know of patients who have experienced weight gain. Make sure you ask. And find out if your doctor is open to prescribing other medication should you happen to gain weight.

What should I do if I gain weight?
If you suspect that you’re adding extra pounds, don’t stop taking your medication. Call your doctor, and ask her if there is another drug you could take instead. Unfortunately, one of the major reasons patients stop taking their medication is because they’ve gained weight — whether or not the drug is responsible. So remember, if you’re taking a drug for a medical condition, don’t stop taking your medication. Talk to your doctor to determine if the drug is causing your weight gain. And if it is, ask your doctor to prescribe a different drug.

What can I do if my medication stimulates my appetite?

• Be a thoughtful eater. In other words, think before you eat. Before you put a morsel in your mouth, stop and think if you are really hungry.
• Focus on eating filling, low-calorie foods that will make you feel satisfied, but won’t make you fat. Eat vegetables and fruits, instead of candy, sweets or snack foods.
• Chew a stick of sugarless gum if you feel a hunger pang.
• Drink low-calories beverages.
• Increase your daily physical activity. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to the corner store instead of driving there. This will offset the extra calories you may consume.
• Exercise regularly. Three or four times a week, do some aerobic activity: run on a treadmill, go to an exercise class or do yoga.
• While there is nothing you can do to alter the effect some drugs have on your resting metabolic rate, exercise will burn extra calories and give your metabolism a temporary boost.

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