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Will Amitriptyline Lead To Weight Gain?
I have been taking Amitriptyline for 4 weeks (3 on 10mg and the last on 30mg) for IBS. I have a lot of the side effects but I m more worried about my massive weight gain of 1/2 a stone in 3 weeks despite eating 500-1000 calories a day, boobs swelling and my missed period. Are these things that I should be worried about or are they typical of females taking the drug? (I m 28)
Tue, 18 Apr 2017
Hello,
I went through your query.
As i understand, you have been on Amitryptylline for a month now and you are worried about the side effcts which come along with it.
Your concern is true as Amitryptylline does cause wieght gain by
1.Altering the hormone levels specially of "Leptin" which is responsible for regulation of Hunger.
2.By increasing the craving for sweets and carbohydrate rich food.
3.It also increases the appetite as you might have experienced yourself.
So , regarding your concern and worriness, i would advice you to weigh the therapeutic effects of the drug for which you have taken it against the side effects. However , if the drug is working well, I, as your treating physician would have tried to convince you that the weight gain may be justified against its therapeutic benefits.
Such side effects with Amitryptyline are not uncoomon, but also try to discuuss with your physician
1.If you are on any other drug which is causing an additional increase in your weight and if you can be weaned off that drug .
2.Also,not everyone on Amitryptyline gains weight.It is highly based upon indiviual factors such as Genetics, lifestyle and dietary intake.
So,discuss with your physician the points mentioned to clear off the air of confusion.
Hope this helps,
All follow up questions are welcome,
Regards,
Dr.Pallavi Jain
MBBS, MD Biochemistry
I went through your query.
As i understand, you have been on Amitryptylline for a month now and you are worried about the side effcts which come along with it.
Your concern is true as Amitryptylline does cause wieght gain by
1.Altering the hormone levels specially of "Leptin" which is responsible for regulation of Hunger.
2.By increasing the craving for sweets and carbohydrate rich food.
3.It also increases the appetite as you might have experienced yourself.
So , regarding your concern and worriness, i would advice you to weigh the therapeutic effects of the drug for which you have taken it against the side effects. However , if the drug is working well, I, as your treating physician would have tried to convince you that the weight gain may be justified against its therapeutic benefits.
Such side effects with Amitryptyline are not uncoomon, but also try to discuuss with your physician
1.If you are on any other drug which is causing an additional increase in your weight and if you can be weaned off that drug .
2.Also,not everyone on Amitryptyline gains weight.It is highly based upon indiviual factors such as Genetics, lifestyle and dietary intake.
So,discuss with your physician the points mentioned to clear off the air of confusion.
Hope this helps,
All follow up questions are welcome,
Regards,
Dr.Pallavi Jain
MBBS, MD Biochemistry
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