Medication - Side Effects as a Cause of Obesity - Obesity Surgery Guide


All medicines come with side effects though most of these are relatively minor.  However, there are types of medicine which include weight gain amongst their list of side effects.

If you are suffering from depression then some of the older types of antidepressant medication can cause weight gain.  Drugs such as Amitriptyline or Mirtazapine can cause weight gain in some people but not all.

Certain drugs used to treat epilepsy such as Epilin or Tegratol may cause weight gain.  And several types of antipsychotic medications can make you feel tired which means you are less likely to be active.  Reduced activity can contribute to weight gain.

Arthritis is a very common condition which is often treated with steroids.  Unfortunately, one of the many side effects of steroids is increased weight gain.   

You will also find that if you are suffering from an illness or injury which restricts your mobility then you are likely to put on weight.  This does not mean that you will be obese.  You just need to be aware of this and monitor your diet and lifestyle carefully. 

People with chronic conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, stroke, back pain and other such diseases are equally affected.

Another possibility is that of an under active thyroid.  The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of hormones which regulate your metabolism and sleep patterns.  If your thyroid gland does not produce enough of these hormones then you are likely to experience tiredness, your metabolism will decrease and there is an overall slowing of your body's functions.

Related Articles about the Causes of Obesity

  1. Bacterial causes of obesity
  2. Colds and Viruses as a cause of obesity
  3. Obesity during diet and pregnancy
  4. Genetic causes of obesity
  5. Inherited causes of obesity
  6. Hormones and obesity
  7. Lifestyle factors that influence obesity
  8. Medication side effects as a cause of obesity
  9. Metabolic Syndrome and obesity
  10. Metabolism and obesity
  11. Sleep deprivation and obesity