Does Amitriptyline cause weight gain when taken for IBS?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Amitriptyline cause weight gain when taken for IBS?
Amitriptyline may or may not make you gain weight. The effects of this antidepressant are irrespective of the health condition for which you’re taking it. If Amitriptyline makes you more hungry or if it continues to boost your appetite, you will gain weight.
This is observed in some of the individuals, especially during the early course of the treatment. However, Amitriptyline can also cause loss of appetite. This can make some people lose weight.
There’s no way to be certain what you or I will experience after taking Amitriptyline. It heavily depends on how your body will react once it is exposed to this antidepressant.
What does research suggest?
In a research study conducted on 40 depressed outpatients, the impact of low to modest doses of tricyclic antidepressants on body weight and appetite was examined. The study included three antidepressants: Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, and Imipramine, administered for an average duration of 6 months (1).
The study concluded that all three antidepressants caused a weight gain of 3 to 16 pounds, depending on the specific drug, dosage, and treatment duration. The weight gain was consistent over time and accompanied by a strong preference for sweets (1).
Another study was conducted on six healthy volunteers to explore whether the weight gain associated with Amitriptyline treatment could be attributed to low blood sugar levels caused by increased insulin. The volunteers were given a daily dose of 50 mg of Amitriptyline for 28 days (2).
Interestingly, none of the volunteers experienced significant weight gain, although two of them reported an increase in appetite. Moreover, there were no notable differences in glucose tolerance, fasting or peak insulin level.
Several other studies, however, have indicated that the use of Amitriptyline can trigger unusual carbohydrate cravings – which is one of the main reasons why this antidepressant can lead to weight gain (3).
What to do if Amitriptyline makes you gain weight?
There are a few things you can do if Amitriptyline is making you gain weight. These include:
Talk to your doctor
The first and basic approach to getting rid of Amitriptyline-induced weight gain is to talk to your healthcare provider about it. Amitriptyline is not an easy medication and not everyone can bear the side effects caused by it.
If you’re taking it for IBS and continue to gain weight, your doctor may switch you to another medication with less potential for causing weight gain.
However, it is extremely important to understand that you should never stop taking Amitriptyline without your doctor’s approval. Stopping Amitriptyline suddenly can lead to disturbing symptoms associated with abrupt Amitriptyline withdrawal.
Focus on your lifestyle
Searching for meds and other shortcuts to lose weight will not help you as much as a good lifestyle will. Such things can damage your body for life, but a good and healthy lifestyle can be the biggest key to living a healthy life.
Make sure you make good food choices and steer clear of sugar and refined carbohydrates while you’re struggling with your weight. Exercise should also be a part of a good lifestyle.
Staying active can do wonders. Losing weight is just a bare minimum, exercising is packed with a lot of other physical and mental health benefits.
Additional side effects of Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline may also cause some other side effects, including:
- nausea
- weakness or tiredness
- blurred vision
- excessive sweating
- pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
- changes in appetite or weight
- drowsiness
- constipation
- confusion
- vomiting
- changes in sex drive or ability
- dry mouth
- unsteadiness
- nightmares
- difficulty urinating
- Glaucoma (rare)
- increased or decreased heart rate
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Berken GH, Weinstein DO, Stern WC. Weight gain. A side-effect of tricyclic antidepressants. J Affect Disord. 1984 Oct;7(2):133-8. doi: 10.1016/0165-0327(84)90031-4. PMID: 6238068. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6238068
2.-
Nakra BR, Rutland P, Verma S, Gaind R. Amitriptyline and weight gain: a biochemical and endocrinological study. Curr Med Res Opin. 1977;4(8):602-6. doi: 10.1185/03007997709115277. PMID: 872612. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/872612/
3.-
Paykel ES, Mueller PS, De la Vergne PM. Amitriptyline, weight gain and carbohydrate craving: a side effect. Br J Psychiatry. 1973 Nov;123(576):501-7. doi: 10.1192/bjp.123.5.501. PMID: 4588039. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4588039/
Find a supportive therapist who can help with Depression.
Discover the convenience of BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connecting you with licensed and accredited therapists specialized in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Complete the assessment and find your ideal therapist within just 48 hours.
AskYourPharm is user-supported. We may earn a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp’s services after clicking through from this site
