10 Drugs That Make You Gain WeightPrescription Drugs That Make You Gain

If you’re trying to lose a few pounds, it’s important to make sure that any prescription medication you’re taking isn’t standing in your way. When you have any questions, it’s important to talk to your doctor and explore alternative treatments.

Find out more about the common drugs that make you gain weight, from antidepressants and diabetes drugs to steroids, hormones and other medication that could be keeping you from achieving your weight loss goal.

1. Antidepressants

While most SSRIs don’t mess with your weight, paroxetine (Paxil) can have unwanted side-effects when it comes to weight gain. Fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) can also contribute to weight gain in the long run. Other antidepressants that will mess with your dieting efforts include TCAs like mirtazapine (Remeron), and amitriptyline (Elavil).

2. Steroids

Oral corticosteroids are also among the drugs that make you gain weight. Prednisone (Deltasone) can halt your weight loss efforts and make you pack on the pounds when you’re taking higher doses, for inflammatory bowel disease or asthma, but even smaller doses for rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to weight gain. Metformin (Glucophage) might be able to help, but you should make sure you exercise regularly to stay in shape and stick to a healthy diet.

3. Mood Stabilizers