Key Takeaways
- Postmenopausal women taking antidepressants, beta-blockers, insulin, or glucocorticosteroids had a higher BMI and waist circumference over three years.
- Some drug combinations, like glucocorticoids and beta-blockers, were linked to slight weight decreases in women with normal BMI.
- Healthcare providers should consider weight-neutral alternatives or emphasize lifestyle interventions to counteract medication-induced weight gain.
- Women with pre-existing obesity were more likely to be prescribed weight-promoting drugs, which may further contribute to weight struggles.
According to a new study, drugs prescribed for high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression are associated with involuntary weight gain in postmenopausal women.
Menopause is a crucial moment in a woman’s life and usually occurs around the age of 50 and marks the end of the period when she can have children: Her ovaries stop functioning because the supply of female gametes is normally depleted. This is followed by hormonal changes, which usually lead to unpleasant symptoms.
These include weight gain, especially in the abdomen, and health problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A new study published in Menopause analyzed data from 76,252 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative. The study found that the use of antidepressants, insulin, beta-blockers, and glucocorticosteroids was associated with increased BMI and waist circumference over a three-year period.
Upper BMI and waist circumference
But how much of this weight gain is associated with the use of these drugs, and how much is due to the hormonal changes of menopause? To find this out, researchers associated with the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) have collected data from recently menopausal women who have participated in the Women’s Health Initiative. They measured body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference at baseline and after three years and compared the results while considering the medications prescribed to them, including antidepressants, beta-blockers, insulin, and glucocorticosteroids.
Based on these results, the researchers found that taking at least one of these drugs was associated with an increase in BMI and waist circumference in women who were taking them compared to women who were not taking them. They also found that taking these drugs led to an increase in the use of weight-loss products.
The study reported that women who took no weight-promoting drugs gained an average of 0.27 kg/m² in BMI and 0.89 cm in waist circumference over three years. In contrast, those taking at least one weight-promoting medication gained 0.37 kg/m² in BMI (P = .0045) and 1.1 cm in waist circumference (P = .0077). The largest increases were observed in women using antidepressants (+0.14 kg/m² BMI, +0.47 cm waist) and insulin (+0.21 kg/m² BMI, +0.4 cm waist).
Additionally, women taking both antidepressants and beta-blockers experienced a mean BMI increase of 0.25 kg/m² (P < .001), highlighting the compounded effect of multiple medications. The study tracked medication use by counting pill bottles brought to baseline and year 3 visits, ensuring accurate self-reported data.”
In addition, women who were taking antidepressants or insulin or a combination of antidepressants and beta-blockers, and women from racial and ethnic minorities, gained more weight.
Better risk assessment
According to the authors of the study, These results suggest that certain medications may contribute to weight gain, though other factors such as pre-existing obesity, lifestyle, and genetics could also play a role. As Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, noted in the study, ‘Physicians and other health care providers that are prescribing medicines need to be cognizant of the weight-gain potential from certain medications when prescribing these to patients.
Experts emphasize the importance of weighing the risks and benefits of these medications, exploring weight-neutral alternatives, and encouraging lifestyle interventions to help mitigate weight gain. In particular, they must consider whether these prescriptions are absolutely necessary, whether there are other options, or whether a lower dose can be prescribed.
This study highlights the significant adverse health effects of obesity and the link between the use of weight-promoting drugs such as antidepressants, antihypertensives, and insulin and weight gain in middle-aged women,” said Dr. Stéphanie Faubion, Medical Director of NAMS. In addition to ensuring that these weight-promoting drugs are used sensibly and in the lower doses needed to achieve the desired results, emphasis should be placed on strategies to mitigate the lifestyle-related adverse effects, such as quality of diet, level of physical activity, and quality and duration of sleep”.
Related Reading:
Relationship Between Obesity, Ghrelin and Growth Hormones
FAQs: Medication & Weight Gain in Menopause
Which medications were linked to weight gain?
Antidepressants, beta-blockers, insulin, and glucocorticosteroids were associated with increases in BMI and waist circumference.
How much weight did women gain in the study?
On average, women taking weight-promoting medications gained more weight than those who didn’t, with antidepressants and insulin showing the highest impact.
Are there any medications that didn’t cause weight gain?
The study found that glucocorticoid plus beta-blocker use was linked to a slight BMI decrease in women with normal weight at baseline.
Is the weight gain caused by the medication or other factors?
The study found an association, but it’s unclear whether the drugs directly cause weight gain or if underlying health conditions and lifestyle factors contribute.
What can women do to prevent medication-related weight gain?
Doctors may consider weight-neutral alternatives, and lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, exercise, and good sleep habits can help manage weight.
Should women stop taking these medications if they’re gaining weight?
No. Any medication changes should be discussed with a doctor to weigh the benefits and risks of alternative treatments.
Bottom Line
This study establishes a clear association between certain medications and weight gain in postmenopausal women, but questions remain for future research. Are these drugs the primary cause, or do underlying conditions, genetics, or lifestyle play a larger role? Why aren’t weight-neutral alternatives more widely prescribed, and could socioeconomic factors explain higher weight gain in minority women? Understanding these gaps is key to balancing necessary treatments with long-term health outcomes.
References
Stanford, F. C., Cena, H., Biino, G., Umoren, O., Jimenez, M., Freeman, M. P., Shadyab, A. H., Wild, R. A., Womack, C. R., Banack, H. R., & Manson, J. E. (2020). The association between weight-promoting medication use and weight gain in postmenopausal women: Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative. Menopause, 27(10), 1117–1125. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000001589
