Do beta blockers cause weight gain? Beta blockers can cause weight gain and the average weight gain is about 2.6 pounds to 3 pounds. Some of weight gain that is associated with those beta blockers are Tenormin and Lopressor. Weight gain tends to occur in the first couple of months after beginning the drug and ending it.
What are beta blockers used for? It is used to treat many conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, migraines, glaucoma, anxiety, etc. A lot of health care providers don’t know exactly why beta blockers make you gain weight other than it may slow up your metabolism.
Do beta blockers cause weight gain? Photo credit: iStock- Roman Didkivskyi
The weight gain that happens from taking a beta blocker is from the fluid build up in the legs, abdomen and chest which can possibly signal the worsening of heart failure.
Some of the side effects of Beta Blockers are the following:
- Lower sex drive
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Mild depression
- Feeling dizzy
- Fatigue
Beta blockers is helpful for the following conditions:
- Chest pain
- Anxiety
- Chronic heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Glaucoma
- Heart palpitations
Beta blockers are used to manage abnormal heart rhythms and they are used to prevent second heart attacks in patients who had an initial heart attack.
Research studies have shown these 3 beta blockers can cause weight gain which is:
- Atenolol- You can gain up to 7.5 pounds from this.
- Lopressor, Toprol- You can gain up to 5 pounds from this.
- Propranolol
There have been some small studies that have shown that your metabolism can slow up to 50%. And the result of this prevents your body from efficiently converting food into energy which leads to excess weight gain. The weight gain typically stops once your body gets adjusted to the medication.
One of the best ways to minimize weight gain while taking a beta blocker is to exercise and eat right. If you exercise at least 4 days a week and follow a balanced healthy diet you can mitigate the weight gain effects from beta blockers. It is important to make sure the diet and exercise program you follow puts you in a caloric deficit that will allow you to lose and manage your weight.
“Beta blockers cause weight gain and the average weight gain is about 2.6 pounds to 3 pounds.” Celebrity Fitness & Nutrition Expert Obi Obadike
The Bottom Line is you will gain a little bit of weight while taking beta blockers but the weight you gain won’t be significant. Weight gain is more fluid buildup than anything.
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References
- Wharton S, Raiber L, Serodio KJ, Lee J, Christensen RA. Medications that cause weight gain and alternatives in Canada: a narrative review. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2018 Aug 21;11:427-438. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S171365. PMID: 30174450; PMCID: PMC6109660.
- Verhaegen AA, Van Gaal LF. Drugs That Affect Body Weight, Body Fat Distribution, and Metabolism. [Updated 2019 Feb 11]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537590/
- American Academy of Family Physicians. (2000). Taking a beta blocker for your heart problem. American Family Physician.
- American Heart Association. (2017). Managing heart failure symptoms.
