Antihistamines and weight gain

[ana556]

Hi all I was wondering if anyone had experienced weight gain whilst taking antihistamines? I'm very worried as there seems to be a lot of information online saying they cause weight gain! Anyone's experience would be great!!!!!

[risabel59]

Hi there Ana, I have taken antihistamines every day for the last 20 years, and haven't experienced any weight gain. Lots of people with asthma can have weight problems for varying reasons. Sometimes to do with the immune system, sometimes because of not enough exercise, and sometimes because of Prednisolone (steroid) tablets.

If you are struggling with weight gain, it is an important issue for asthma, because it can affect your breathing. Your diaphragm doesn't work properly, or at least that can be part of the problem. This is an issue that you should explore with your Asthma Nurse or your doctor.

I am sorry to sound so preachy, but I am afraid it is unlikely to be the antihistamines.

best

R

[Paradigm]

I expect it could depend on the antihistamine itself - there's lots of different ones with different side effect profiles, as with all medications. It's worth asking your doctor or looking at the Patient Information Leaflet, the latter of which can be more misleading. You may see that it affects 1 in 100 people or much fewer, also where there is weight gain it could potentially be very small amounts.

Personally, I have been given (other types of) medications known to cause weight gain and never again, then later medications known to cause weight loss and also not lost.

I've trialed many types of antihistamines over the years and none of them have caused me to gain weight, nor have I been warned of weight gain by prescribing doctors for them.