Conditions and Medications That Make Weight Loss Difficult

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Conditions that make weight loss difficult  Metabolic conditions Metabolic syndrome Polycystic overian disease Cushing's disease Diabetes Hypothyroidism Eating disorders Bulimia 'Carbohydrate craving' syndrome Cardiovasular Congestive heart failure Idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Valvular disorders Sleeping disorders Obstructive sleep apnea Upper airway resistance syndrome Medications that may cause weight gain Anticonvulsant Sodium Valproate (Depakene) Antidepressants Tricyclic can add up to 9lbs (4kg) a month Lithium based can add up to 2.5lbs (1.14kg) a month SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) may increase hunger Potential alternative drug Bupropion Antihistamines Cyproheptadine Diphenhydramine Antipsychotics Clozapine Haloperido Neuroleptics Phenothiazines these drugs can add up to 5lbs (2.25kg) a week ask your psychiatrist about atypical antipsychotics Birth Control Progestins Oral contraceptives with low progesterone are less likely to cause weight gain Blood Pressure Medications Alpha blockers Beta blockers either drug can cause fatigue which may decrease activity amount of weight gain vary widely Methyldopa Potential alternative drugs ACE inhibitors Calcium Channel Blockers Cancer Therapy Chemotherapy Women with breast cancer will likely gain weight may possibly slow metabolism May induce early menopause menopause may result in increased abdominal fat Tamoxifen estrogen antagonist used to treat postmenopausal breast cancer may increase appetite Decadron Diabetes Drugs Insulin Sulfonylureas may induce bouts of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which stimulates appetite can add up to 11lbs (5kg) first 3 to 12 months of treatment Potential alternative drug for those with type II diabetes metformin Migraine Medicines Valproic acid based Alternative drugs Most physicians are more likely to prescribe safer medications not associated with weight gain including Topamax Imitrix Sleep Aids Diphenhydramine Steriod Anti-inflammatories used to treat chronic inflammation or rheumatoid arthritis can add up to 28lbs (13kg) on therapy Potential alternative drug NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) eg: Ibuprofen Tuberculosis Isoniazid (Nydrazid) Modest dietary improvements along with an increase of physical activity may be enough to counteract the weight gain from most drugs.