Does Methylprednisolone make you gain weight?
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 Methylprednisolone make you gain weight?
Yes, Methylprednisolone does make you gain weight. This medication, as it is steroidal in nature, can make a number of metabolic changes in your body and it can cause your weight to fluctuate. There is a reason why steroidal medications should only be used when prescribed by your healthcare provider.
If we specifically talk about weight gain associated with Methylprednisolone, a lot of research studies are available to tell us what exactly happens in your body and your metabolism that can make you gain weight.
Why does Methylprednisolone make you gain weight?
Methylprednisolone can make you gain weight by acting on various metabolic functions of your body (1). Some of the reasons associated with Methylprednisolone induced weight gain include:
- Water or fluid retention
- High production of glucose
- Increased appetite
Water or fluid retention
Methylprednisolone is associated with fluid retention as a side effect. This medication causes the reabsorption of water from your kidneys and decreases urine output.
This water or fluid starts to accumulate in your body. When you begin to feel heavy just after a few doses of this medication, it’s not actually fat that makes you heavier on the scale (2). Fat doesn’t get stored in your body overnight.
It’s the excess fluid that shouldn’t have been retained in the body, but as a side effect of Methylprednisolone, it does. This weight gain is usually temporary and you begin to lose it soon after your body eliminates the excess water.
However, weight gain by fluid retention is quite common in people and it can get quite severe. This can cause severe edema in your lower extremities if left untreated.
High production of glucose
Methylprednisolone, being a Corticosteroid in nature, spikes the level of glucose in your body (3). It can also trigger diabetes in some people. Most healthcare providers advise people to limit their sugar intake when they prescribe Corticosteroids.
This high blood sugar can enhance the process of sugar storing in your liver and muscles. It can not only make you gain a tremendous amount of weight, but can also damage your organs, your immunity, and your blood’s ability to clot and heal wounds.
Increased appetite
Methylprednisolone can also increase your appetite. Not just this, but this Corticosteroid can make you crave sweet or sugary foods. When you give in to such cravings and begin to eat unhealthy foods, you start to gain weight eventually (4).
This can not only make your body weaker and lethargic but can also cause your sugar levels to go even higher and increase the risk of diabetes.
How to get rid of Methylprednisolone-induced weight gain?
Reach out to your healthcare provider if Methylprednisolone is causing weight gain. It is not recommended to abruptly stop taking the medication on your own, especially if you are taking it for chronic inflammation.
There are a few important things and lifestyle changes that can help you get rid of Methylprednisolone-induced weight gain. These include:
Limit the use of table salt
As Methylprednisolone is associated with water retention which could be the reason for short-term weight gain with this medication, you should limit your salt intake.
This is because salt, which has the basic element sodium in it, can make your body absorb more water to maintain your body’s homeostasis. This can increase your water weight and blood pressure.
Limit the intake of sugar
As we have discussed how Methylprednisolone can make your body produce more glucose, it can not only increase the risk of diabetes but also the risk of obesity. Obesity is not being overweight, it is an entire disease which affects other health conditions as well.
It slows down your recovery and can make your daily life activities difficult for you. It’s nerve-racking and can trigger severe episodes of depression.
This is why you should be extremely careful with your sugar intake when you’re being treated with Methylprednisolone. You should also steer clear of complex carbohydrates or carbohydrates in general.
Opt for lean protein and good fats
Lean protein and good fats are the best choices for food while you’re being treated with Methylprednisolone. This is because these food choices can keep your high glucose levels at bay and can help boost your metabolism. They all act as excellent sources of energy in place of carbohydrates.
Exercise
Exercise is the best way to lose some extra weight. You should always stay active and maintain good workout hygiene. This way your body will keep burning unwanted amounts of stored fat and you will remain healthy.
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References
1.-
Manaboriboon B, Silverman ED, Homsanit M, Chui H, Kaufman M. Weight change associated with corticosteroid therapy in adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2013 Feb;22(2):164-70. doi: 10.1177/0961203312469260. Epub 2012 Dec 7. PMID: 23223243. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23223243/
2.-
Liu C, Zhao Q, Zhen Y, Zhai J, Liu G, Zheng M, Ma G, Wang L, Tian L, Ji L, Li L, Duan L, Liu K. Effect of Corticosteroid on Renal Water and Sodium Excretion in Symptomatic Heart Failure: Prednisone for Renal Function Improvement Evaluation Study. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2015 Sep;66(3):316-22. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000282. PMID: 25992918. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25992918/
3.-
Hwang JL, Weiss RE. Steroid-induced diabetes: a clinical and molecular approach to understanding and treatment. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2014 Feb;30(2):96-102. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.2486. PMID: 24123849; PMCID: PMC4112077. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4112077/
4.-
Berthon BS, Gibson PG, McElduff P, MacDonald-Wicks LK, Wood LG. Effects of short-term oral corticosteroid intake on dietary intake, body weight and body composition in adults with asthma – a randomized controlled trial. Clin Exp Allergy. 2015 May;45(5):908-919. doi: 10.1111/cea.12505. PMID: 25640664. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25640664/
