Medication weight gain is a major cause of weight gain and makes it difficult to lose weight. In fact, weight gain from drugs is frequently ignored. One particular kind of drug that has been linked to weight gain is antihistamines.
Antihistamines are among the most efficient therapies we have for allergies, according to the CDC, which reports that they are a fairly prevalent cause of medical visits each year.
Asthma, hives, and even the treatment of anxiety and sleeplessness are other allergic disorders that they are regularly used for. It’s critical to understand whether these drugs induce weight gain, whether you need to take one of them regularly to get through allergy season or only occasionally to have trouble sleeping.
Moreover, if that is the case, what can you do?
The Definition of Antihistamines
For the treatment of allergies and other allergic diseases, antihistamines are a class of drugs that are sold over-the-counter and on prescription. Additionally, they are typically present in over-the-counter sleep aids and cold treatments.
Histamine, a substance produced naturally by the body and involved in immune responses and other physiological processes, is what causes allergic reactions, and antihistamines operate by suppressing its effects.
Antihistamines that are often used include diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZzzQuil), loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and levocetirizine (Xyzal). An antihistamine that can only be obtained with a prescription called hydroxyzine (Vistaril) is used to alleviate anxiety and sleeplessness.
What Link Exists Between Using Antihistamines and Gaining Weight?
Research implies a connection between using antihistamines and weight gain, though this is not totally certain.
Children and adults alike have displayed this. The association between antihistamines and weight gain is not entirely clear from the study, but we can better comprehend it by understanding how histamine functions in the body.
A variety of bodily processes involving histamine are carried out by it. The one that we are most familiar with is its part in allergic reactions, which cause allergy patients to experience runny noses, watering eyes, itching, and sneezing whenever the pollen count is high.
The regulation of hunger and metabolism, however, may also be influenced by histamine.
Numerous studies on animals show a decrease in food intake in response to the production of histamine, indicating that it may increase feelings of fullness or serve as a cue to cease eating. Antihistamines would prevent this action, potentially boosting food intake and the chance of weight gain.
Moreover sedatives, antihistamines. When you need aid going asleep, this may be useful, but it may not be as effective when you need to work out.
Thus, a weariness that results in decreased physical activity could be another possible cause of excess body weight linked to antihistamine use. To fully grasp the scope of antihistamines’ weight-related effects and the underlying causes of weight gain, more research is required.
Read more: Cannabis Terpenes :What are they, exactly?
How Can Antihistamine-Related Weight Gain Be Combated?
You should speak to your healthcare practitioner if you believe you have put on weight as a result of taking an antihistamine or if you have any concerns about this possible side effect. For you, they might be able to suggest a different course of treatment with a lower risk of weight gain.
In order to prevent weight gain brought on by medicine, you can also use a variety of weight-management techniques.
Consume a calorie-conserving, healthy diet. For successful weight loss, one must follow a low-calorie diet that includes plenty of fresh produce, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. A Registered Dietitian is an excellent resource to help you get started if you need assistance with doing this.
Engage in regular exercise – One of the keys to managing your weight is to increase the number of calories you burn through exercise.
Try beginning with brief bursts of increased activity that you enjoy if you don’t like to exercise or are having trouble fitting it into a busy schedule.
For example, try taking your dog for short walks several times per day or riding a stationary bike while you watch your favourite television programme.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of self-monitoring for weight loss by showing that keeping track of your food intake, physical activity levels, and weight can help you lose weight.
Any weight management tool, from a straightforward notebook to a more sophisticated software, can be helpful.
Obese people are known to gain weight when they don’t get enough sleep, which allergy symptoms can make worse. Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep by making an effort to go to bed at the same time every night.
When discussing treatment choices with your doctor if allergy symptoms are keeping you awake at night, be sure to make it clear that you prefer to stay away from medications that cause weight gain.
Contact a healthcare professional for support if you’re having trouble losing weight or if you’re gaining weight despite adopting several healthy practises.
You might be struggling to control your weight for a variety of reasons, such as side effects from your medications.
Whether a medication or health issue is to blame can be ascertained by a healthcare professional, who can then make the proper suggestions.
Additionally, if you qualify, they can administer prescription weight-loss drugs as well as other evidence-based strategies, such as particular eating and exercise routines.
Read more: Flonase Weight Gain: How Its Work In 2022?
How Can Form Health Aid In Your Weight Gain From Antihistamines?
The potential for weight gain or to make it more difficult to lose weight exists in several drugs. Just one example is antihistamines.
The Obesity Medicine Doctors at Form Health perform an extensive first evaluation that looks at the medications you’re taking to see whether they might affect your weight.
They can check to see if there are any more calorie-efficient options with you and your medical professionals.
Form Health® may be a wonderful option for you if you’re searching for a weight care specialist to assist you with weight loss related to antihistamine medication.
Every patient receives a unique weight-reduction plan from our Board Certified Physicians and Registered Dietitians that takes into account their medical history, preferences, and objectives.
This plan is developed using an evidence-based methodology. Patients lose an average of 15% of their body weight after a year with our medical weight loss programme, which is supported by insurance, including Medicare.
Find out if you’re a candidate right away by taking our quiz!
Have issues with our telehealth weight loss programme? Get more information by setting up a free consultation with an enrollment specialist.
Johnson & Johnson is the owner of the trademarks Zyrtec and Benadryl.
The Procter & Gamble Company has ZzzQuilR registered as a trademark.
By Bayer Healthcare, LLC, Claritin is a registered trademark.
Aventisub LLC has AllegraR on file as a trademark.
UCB Farchim S.A. has XyzalR on file as a trademark.
Pfizer Inc. is the registered owner of the trademark VistarilR.
Author Information Midwestern University’s programme for physician assistants, Brooke Marsico, PA-C, was finished in 2011. At Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she worked from 2016 to 2021, she started her career as an obesity physician.
Prior to joining the Form Health team in 2021, she treated obese patients at the Cleveland Clinic for two years in 2021 and 2022. With much passion, Brooke works with people who are obese to help them lose weight in a healthy way.
In order to help patients achieve their goals, her approach focuses on providing patients with tailored behavioural and pharmaceutical intervention. Managing patients who have undergone bariatric surgery is another area in which she has experience.