Beta Blockers

[jennyjoan]

Just a quickie - do they cause weight - my cousin is on them and she has cut down on food and is running for half an hour every day - but is gaining weight. I can't believe it.

[Buenchico]

There's no reference to weight gain as a possible side effect on the NHS website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/beta-blockers/
so it's clearly not seen as a significant problem.

However the Mayo Clinic website states that some (generally older) beta blockers can cause weight gain
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/beta-blockers/faq-20058385

So, without knowing the particular type of beta blockers that your cousin is taking, it's hard to know whether they're actually the cause of her weight gain.

[jennyjoan]

ok Chris - will try and ask her - I don't think she is happy about not losing even a little.

Thanks

[Cloverjo]

I've been on beta-blockers for years and didn't notice any weight gain. I have more recently put on some weight, but I think that's down to age, menopause and laziness. (Not saying your cousin is lazy - she obviously isn't!)

[Sqad]

No they don't.
Around 2 million people take beta-blockers in the Uk , at a a guess and i have never heard of weight increasing following their use although never say never in medicine.
It is a common and dangerous habit to blame symptoms on a particular drug.
What is more worrying is that in the case of your cousin and if she is taking them for heart problems that her increase in weight is due to fluid retention indicating incipient congestive cardiac failure.
If this IS the case, then she should see her GP. rather than blame betatblockers.

[jennyjoan]

Thanks Sqad - she did have a heart attack about two years ago and a stunt was put in. She was off work for 6 months and then went back - so she decided (she was never a gym person) but she runs on the treadmill for 30 mins every morning. I was happy for her but now I'm not since she is gaining the blo)dy weight.

Another friend was in that night and she (who is skinnymalink) hasn't saw cousin for quite a while and couldn't get over the weight gain. My cousin actually said you know I'm on beta blockers - perhaps it is other medication she takes. Skinnymalink said after cousin left - that my cousin looked bloated. I am worried if going to the gym may cause more damage than not. Perhaps she is on other medication for the heart. If she is not on other heart medication and only the BBs - I will encourage her to go back to the doctors. Thanks anyway.

[Sqad]

"Bloated"...seems a little more serious than weight gain.
Thanks for the feedback.