Do Beta Blockers Cause Weight Gain?

Beta blockers are medications that block the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) in the body. Often prescribed to reduce high blood pressure, beta blockers allow the heart to beat more slowly and less forcefully and blood vessels to widen. One side effect can be weight gain.

Uses

• Beta blockers are prescribed for many health conditions. In addition to lowering blood pressure, they also are useful for treating migraine headaches, glaucoma, angina, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism and generalized anxiety disorder.

Weight Gain Cause

• Because beta blockers slow the heart rate and the resting pulse rate, this also reduces the rate at which the body burns calories. The patient is likely to experience a small weight gain over time.

Prevention/Solution

• Weight gain can be avoided during beta blocker treatment by reducing calorie intake or exercising more.

Medication Change

• Older beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Lopressor and Toprol-XL) are more likely to lead to weight gain, according to the Mayo Clinic. If weight gain is a problem, you might want to ask about a change in medication.

Warning

• Sudden weight gain may not be a side effect but a sign of fluid retention or heart-related problems. Anyone experiencing rapid unexplained weight gain should consult his physician promptly.