Most of the commonly used drugs are reported to have a fat depositing effect. Major diabetic drugs causing weight gain include:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas
- Meglitinides
- Glitazones
How diabetes drugs make you gain weight?
When a person lacks insulin, glucose in the body cannot enter the brain and muscle cells are used as fuel. Glucose fails to enter the liver and ends up being excreted through urine.
When a diabetic injects insulin into their body or takes diabetic drugs, the body starts using all the blood sugar, storing it as fat instead of excreting it in urine.
With better sugar control, fewer calories are lost in urine and most of them are retained in muscle tissues as fat. Moreover, insulin and some diabetes drugs also acts as a growth hormone simulators.
Growth hormones help build different tissues including the fat cells. All of these affects culminate in increased weight gain owing to insulin and other diabetic drugs.
It is frustrating to know that some of the diabetes drugs you are taking on a regular basis are making you gain unnecessary weight. Increased weight from diabetic drugs can compromise blood sugar levels and can poses other serious threats like heart disease.
How to prevent gaining extra weight?
It may be possible to reduce some drug-related weight gain by taking some measures:
- Take small portions and do not skip meals.
- Reduce calorie intake by choosing the right foods. Eat whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Try to burn extra calories by exercising.
- Talk to your doctor to devise a comprehensive plan to prevent this problem.
Taking diabetic drugs and losing weight are both essential for good diabetes control.