Medication with weight gain as an unintended consequence

Medication known to associated with weight gain have been listed by the World Health Organisation and other authorities. However, a number of factors can influence the picture, including compliance issues, the background weight-increase rate of the healthy population, and the effects of the underlying medical condition.

The following agents are generally recognised to be linked to weight gain:

British Natural Formulary (BNF) section number and name.

2.4 Beta blockers

4.2 Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders, especially "atypicals", and lithium.

4.3 Antidepressants, especially tricyclics.

4.8 some Antiepileptics - valproate

6.1 Drugs used in diabetes - Insulin, sulphonylureas, thiazolidenediones.

6.3 Corticosteroids.

Further reading: Leslie WS, Hankey CR, Lean ME. Weight gain as an adverse effect of some commonly prescribed drugs: a systemic review. Quarterly Journal of Medicine 2007 (100) 395-404. Available online.