Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
Prior to my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes about five years ago, my weight had been constant at about 200 pounds for many years. Within about six months of taking medications, I started to put on fat in places I had never had fat, and I now weigh about 250 pounds. I have asked my doctors who say it may or may not be related to the various drugs I have taken to control the diabetes.My weight gain and fat accumulation is unusual in my family. My brothers and my dad and my uncles on both sides of the family have never accumulated fat like I have. I am reasonably active and have been so all the time I have been on the meds. I just turned 60 and would like to think I will live a long life, but the weight gain worries me a lot.
In your experience, do you believe that Avandia, or any of the current drugs prescribed for type 2 diabetes, can be shown to directly cause a person to gain weight, especially fat deposits in unusual places? I take Avandia along with metformin and would especially like to know if you think either or both of these drugs might be a factor in my weight gain. I saw an ad on TV for Avandia, and they acknowledge that Avandia may cause weight gain.
Answer
Yes, people taking most diabetes pills tend to gain weight. In some cases, it's additional fat, and in some cases, there's fluid retention, especially with the "glitazones" (Avandia/rosiglitazone and Actos/pioglitazone).You describe "unusual" fat accumulation which might be due to other medical conditions (and the diabetes drugs be coincidental), and hence should be evaluated. If your doctors can't explain it to your satisfaction, perhaps you should have a consultation with an endocrinologist.
