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What Causes Excessive Weight Gain While On Methadone?
I m currently on methadone (for opiate dependence) and have gained about 15-20 pounds in the past 10 months. It s made me self-conscious enough to want to get off of the medication ASAP, despite the fact that I know I might fall off the wagon again by doing so. Is there anything I can do to speed up my metabolism besides getting off the medication? I ve begun taking Topamax recently as well, hoping that it will help me lose the weight, but haven t been on it long enough yet to know if it s working or not.
Mon, 10 Dec 2018
Hi,
Methadone tends to increase affinity to sugar intake & this results in weight gain.
Refraining from sugar & sweets/ limited carbohydrate diet/increase in vitamins & minerals in form of salads, vegetables &fruit/taking enough of proteins would diminish weight as well as affinity to sweets.
Regular exercises would help in maintaining body strength & resistance/an old muscle loss with fat increase &help healthy life.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Vasudha Jayant Athavale, General & Family Physician
Methadone tends to increase affinity to sugar intake & this results in weight gain.
Refraining from sugar & sweets/ limited carbohydrate diet/increase in vitamins & minerals in form of salads, vegetables &fruit/taking enough of proteins would diminish weight as well as affinity to sweets.
Regular exercises would help in maintaining body strength & resistance/an old muscle loss with fat increase &help healthy life.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Vasudha Jayant Athavale, General & Family Physician
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