How much weight can you gain on Propranolol?
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
How much weight can you gain on Propranolol?
Propranolol may make you gain around 3-5 kgs, depending on your age, Propranolol dose, frequency of dose administration, and the side effects caused by this beta-blocker. Studies have shown that most weight-related changes caused by Propranolol are subtle.
Some are even negligible. However, it may cause more weight gain in some people as meds affect everyone differently. Other beta-blockers, including Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, etc can also cause weight gain.
Propranolol and weight gain in the light of research studies
There are a few research studies on the effects of Propanolol on body weight. One research study indicated that Propranolol can reduce the body’s ability to melt fat, which can lead to weight gain (1).
This means that when you’re being treated with Propranolol, your body burns fats slower than usual and this is how you end up having more fat in your body.
The study indicated that this effect can be minor and may not affect people greatly, but it’s impossible to predict how Propranolol will work in every other individual.
Another study revealed that Propranolol is capable of retaining water in your body. This means that Propranolol can increase your fluid weight which makes you bulkier on the scale.
It is also important to note that Propranolol can also cause weight gain if it is used along with other medications that can also cause weight gain as a side effect, including some other antihypertensive, corticosteroids, some antidepressants like Sertraline, Mirtazapine, etc.
What to do if Propranolol makes you gain weight?
There are a few things you can do if Propranolol makes you gain weight. These include:
Talk to your doctor
The first and very basic step is to talk to your healthcare provider. In order to lose those pounds, you need to make sure that Propranolol is good for you in the long run.
If you continue to gain weight on Propranolol, it may lead to some other health conditions and no matter how much you lose that weight, you will eventually gain it back. If your body adjusts to Propranolol and you stop gaining weight, it means it’s safe for you to continue using this medication.
Some people can lose weight after Propanolol discontinuation. However, drug withdrawal should only be done with your doctor’s approval. You shouldn’t stop using any prescription medication on your own, especially meds that manage your chronic conditions – like hypertension.
Limit your salt intake
It is important to limit your salt intake when you’re being treated with a high dose of Propranolol. This is because high doses can make your body more susceptible to water retention and high salt intake can enhance that effect.
It can cause more water to retain in your body, which may cause further complications.
Stick to a healthy diet
Sticking to a healthy diet is the key to not gaining weight on Propranolol. This is because the medication reduces your body’s fat-burning ability.
If you continue to stuff unhealthy foods in your mouth, you will begin to gain a tremendous amount of weight, which will become extremely difficult for you to lose. This is why you should make good food choices. Focus on your greens, lean protein, good fats, and lots of fruits and other vegetables.
Final words
It is best to reach out to your doctor if you are gaining a significant amount of weight while taking Propanolol. If you are a cardiac patient, it’s not recommended to abruptly stop the medication.
Weight gain could have a lot of reasons and your medications might have nothing to do with it. However, if your doctor believes that Propanolol is damaging your health, he/she will safely switch you to another medication.
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References
1.-
Rössner S, Taylor CL, Byington RP, Furberg CD. Long term propranolol treatment and changes in body weight after myocardial infarction. BMJ. 1990 Apr 7;300(6729):902-3. doi: 10.1136/bmj.300.6729.902. PMID: 2186832; PMCID: PMC1662668. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2186832/
2.-
MedlinePlus. Propanolol: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. [updated 15 Jul 2021; cited 03 Oct 2022]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682607.html
