How Can I Lose Weight If My Medication Is Causing Me to Gain Weight?

Prescription medications that cause weight gain include antidepressants, corticosteroids, diabetic medications and birth control pills. Dr. Lawrence Cheskin, Director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, says that medication-related weight gain has increased as more people take drugs to control chronic conditions. Several drugs, such as corticosteroids and birth control, cause the body to retain water. Some weight gain may occur because medications increase appetite. Additional weight gain may increase your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis and cardiovascular condition. You can, however, lose weight with medical assistance, dietary changes and exercise.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor about additional weight gain. She may encourage you to stop taking medications, lower the dosage or switch to another medication with fewer side effects. Women taking birth control pills can talk to the doctor about other methods of contraception. You doctor may monitor your weight gain for a few months to see if there are any changes.

• 2

  See a dietitian. Your doctor may recommend a dietitian who specializes in creating meal plans for people with health conditions. The dietitian may eliminate certain foods that increase your chances of retaining fluids, such as items containing sodium. He may also advise you to reduce or eliminate refined sugars and excess snacks.

• 3

  Keep a food diary to get an accurate assessment of how many calories you are consuming. Write down all foods and drinks consumed in the day, including the number of servings and calories. Include snacks. You can use a tablet or online journal to record your information.

• 4

  Exercise regularly. Getting at least two and a half hours of exercise a week helps you maintain weight and lower your blood sugar. Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program, especially if you have heart problems or high blood pressure. The U.S. National Institute on Aging and the Mayo Clinic have a series of exercise DVDs designed for people with health problems. Walking, swimming and biking are activities that people of all fitness levels can do. You doctor may recommend a personal trainer who caters to people with health problems. Personal trainers will monitor your heart rate and vitals to make sure you are not overexerting yourself.