Originally published August 30 2005
Doctors say that some common medicines exacerbate weight problems
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Sheila Israel, a type 2 diabetes sufferer, thought she was handling her affliction well, and was quite disappointed when her doctor, Dr. Louis J. Aronne, informed her that the thiazolidinedione and sulfonylurea she was taking contributed to her weight problems, and The New York Times reports that Arrone says doctors need to pay closer attention to what they prescribe.
Israel to learn from her new doctor that two of the drugs she had been taking to treat her problem were actually causing her to put on weight.
One was a thiazolidinedione, also known as a TZD, which increases the body's sensitivity to insulin.
Israel lost the 70 pounds, and she has kept it off for another year.
Dr. Aronne is one of many physicians paying increasing attention to the weight side effects of the drugs they prescribe.
Not only diabetes drugs but also certain psychiatric medications, some blood pressure treatments, corticosteroids (taken by people with severe allergies, asthma or arthritis) and even over-the-counter antihistamines can cause the patients who take them to gain weight.
People who gain weight during the time they are taking a new medication should consult their doctors about the possibility of switching drugs or taking other steps to resist further weight gain.
The drugs are prescribed for patients with illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression that is resistant to other treatments.
If no alternative drugs are appropriate, Dr. Jensen sometimes suggests that the patient also be prescribed the anticonvulsant drug topiramate, sold as Topamax, which can also act as a mood stabilizer.
Another option is to prescribe drugs specifically designed for weight loss, like Xenical, which blocks the digestion of some fat, and Meridia, which suppresses appetite.
"Patients don't complain of being ravenously hungry, but if you watch them, they're just eating a lot," Dr. Jensen said.
Recent research suggests that TZD's may work in part by keeping fat cells from releasing free fatty acids into the blood stream, where they can impair insulin function, said Dr. Mitchell Lazar, an endocrinologist who is the director of the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml