11 Common Medications Secretly Packing on the Pounds

5. Insulin and Oral Diabetes Medications: Navigating Blood Sugar and Weight

Managing diabetes often involves medications that can inadvertently lead to weight gain. Insulin therapy and certain oral diabetes drugs, like sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones, are known to increase appetite and promote fat storage. This can be particularly challenging for diabetic patients who need to balance blood sugar control with maintaining a healthy weight. Healthcare providers should emphasize the importance of diet and exercise as part of diabetes management. Newer classes of diabetes medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, offer promising alternatives with a lower risk of weight gain.

6. Antihistamines: Allergy Relief with Unexpected Consequences

Antihistamines, commonly used to treat allergies and hay fever, can also contribute to weight gain. Older antihistamines, like diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine, have sedative properties that can lead to reduced physical activity and increased appetite. These effects are often overlooked, as the primary focus is on alleviating allergy symptoms. Patients should be informed about the potential for weight gain and encouraged to choose newer, less sedating antihistamines when appropriate. Incorporating regular exercise and mindful eating can help counterbalance the side effects of these medications.