Does Meclizine cause weight gain as a side effect?
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 Meclizine cause weight gain as a side effect?
Meclizine may or may not cause weight gain as a side effect. Some people have reported a little weight gain and some have reported none. This anti-allergy medication can cause a number of different effects in different individuals.
Other factors may also contribute to weight gain. However, case studies have shown that some people can actually lose weight on this medication.
It can cause diarrhoea and nausea, which may make food undesirable for you. When you begin to eat less than your body needs, you lose weight. Let’s look at the weight-gaining mechanism of this med.
How does Meclizine cause weight gain?
Weight gain on Meclizine is usually caused by excessive eating habits. The drug can increase your appetite, which leads to eating more than your body requires. This can make you gain weight over time and is considered a long-term side effect of this antihistamine (1).
Some people may experience a mild increase in appetite. This can not be a problem, especially if they opt for good food and do exercise. However, some people may suffer from a significant increase in appetite, and not just that.
Some people have also reported a sudden urge to eat sugary foods. This craving can lead to rapid weight gain, especially if you give in to it. Experts believe that the drug usually targets people who are already overweight or obese.
It becomes hard for such people to control their appetite, especially older women. Post-menopausal women are more susceptible to this type of side effects because of ongoing hormonal changes in their bodies. Make sure you properly monitor your weight gain and eating patterns.
If you experience anything unusual, immediately report it to your healthcare provider.
What to do if Meclizine makes you gain weight?
There are a few things you can try if Meclizine makes you gain weight. These include:
Stay active
Exercise is the best way to lose weight. It boosts your metabolism and makes your physiological systems healthier and stronger. It can also help you with the symptoms associated with depression by releasing happy chemicals in your brain.
Exercise also releases the built-up negative energy from your body. You don’t have to follow a strict or nerve-racking exercise regimen that your body can’t bear.
If you’re a beginner, start by walking 20 to 30 minutes every day and gradually increase your time duration and your walking pace. Once your body builds up some endurance, that’s when you can switch to a good workout session.
Opt for healthier food options to satisfy your hunger
If Meclizine increases your appetite and you feel hungry more and more, it is best to opt for good food options, food that can make you feel full for a longer period of time without affecting your weight and metabolism.
The best choices, in this case, are lean protein and good fats. They can not only help you feel full, but they also taste good and help boost your metabolism.
Talk to your healthcare provider
The most basic approach to getting rid of Meclizine-induced weight gain is to talk to your healthcare provider. If Meclizine makes you gain a significant amount of weight, your doctor may ask you to make some dietary changes or may add another medication to help prevent this side effect.
Your doctor may also discontinue your treatment with Meclizine. Proper consideration is required when you already suffer from a metabolic disorder like diabetes mellitus.
Refrain from overusing Meclizine
It is extremely important to take Meclizine only when needed or just as prescribed by your healthcare provider. As Meclizine is an antihistamine, it can actively induce sleep like other anti-allergy medications. This can make this medication susceptible to overuse.
Meclizine is available as both OTC and prescription Meclizine. People should only take OTC Meclizine for occasional nausea or motion sickness. People taking prescription Meclizine should stick to the recommended dose.
Make sure you don’t take it more often than needed. If your symptoms persist, reach out to your doctor.
