Does Symbicort cause weight gain?
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 Symbicort cause weight gain?
Yes, Symbicort can make you gain weight. However, this is not a common side effect and some people may not even experience it. It is not even listed as a side effect, but the nature of Symbicort can cause weight gain because of how it works in your body.
Symbicort is a type of Corticosteroid, called Budesonide. Corticosteroids are known for causing metabolic changes in your body and can make you gain weight, despite what’s written in the side effect profile. Many people have shared their experiences of how they gained weight on Symbicort.
However, some people may lose weight, even though weight loss is not a known side effect. This is because people are different and can have different factors affecting their health.
What does research suggest?
Research suggests that Symbicort can cause weight gain because of how it works (1). These compounds can make a number of metabolic and dietary changes in your body and can make you gain weight. Experts have indicated that Symbicort can spike the level of glucose in your body (2).
It can also trigger diabetes in some people. 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.
Research shows that Symbicort can also cause water retention (3). The drug is capable of reabsorbing water from your kidneys and decreasing 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. Fat doesn’t get stored in your body overnight.
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.
What to do if Symbicort makes you gain weight?
There are a few things you can do if Symbicort makes you gain weight. These include:
Talk to your healthcare provider
The most basic approach to getting rid of Symbicort-induced weight gain is to talk to your healthcare provider. If Symbicort 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 Symbicort, as some people may lose weight after drug discontinuation. However, proper consideration is required when you already suffer from a metabolic disorder like diabetes mellitus.
Cut back on sugar
You need to cut back on sugar if you’re gaining much weight on Symbicort. Your weight gain could be related to Symbicort-induced high glucose levels. 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-wracking 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 Symbicort. You should also steer clear of complex carbohydrates or carbohydrates in general.
Add good foods to your diet
It is extremely important to eat good foods if you suffer from the weight-related side effects of Symbicort. Lean protein and good fats are the best choices for good food intake in this case.
This is because both protein and fats are excellent sources of energy and can significantly help boost your metabolism. They are fulfilling and can satiate your appetite, especially lean protein.
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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.-
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/
3.-
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/
