What sleeping pills do not 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
What sleeping pills do not cause weight gain?
There are a few sleeping pills that do not cause weight gain when you use them for a short period of time. These include:
- Melatonergic hypnotics
- Benzodiazepines
- Non-benzodiazepines
- Natural sleeping aids
Melatonergic hypnotics
These medications work on the melatonergic system of your body which plays a huge role in regulating your normal circadian rhythm (1). These medications are not associated with weight gain as a side effect, but you must ensure you’re leading a good lifestyle.
If you’re not eating the right foods and not exercising enough, you will gain weight irrespective of the sleeping aid you have been taking. Melatonergic hypnotics include Ramelteon, Tasimelteon, etc.
However, these medications can cause some other side effects if not weight gain and you should only use them if prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines can also be used for enhancing your sleep architecture with minimum side effects like weight gain if you’re using it for a small period of time and the doses are perfectly balanced (2).
Even if your treatment is prolonged, the doses at which you are can make a huge difference. Low doses will help you fall asleep and will not cause any weight gain.
However, studies have suggested that people tend to misuse benzodiazepines and they use them for much longer than their doctor’s recommendations. This can lead to weight gain.
As long you have a good lifestyle and you properly follow your doctor’s directions, benzodiazepines will not cause weight gain. Even if they will, it won’t be significant.
Non-benzodiazepines
Non-benzodiazepines are also prescribed for the management and treatment of insomnia. Examples include Zolpidem, Zopiclone and Zaleplon (3).
Although these meds don’t generally cause weight gain, they can induce abnormal sleeping behaviours, one of which is sleep-related eating disorder.
Some people may eat in their sleep without having any recollection of what they did in the morning. This pattern, if continued, can make you gain weight.
Natural sleeping aids
Natural herbs to calm you down and to help you sleep come with the least side effects. Such herbs are ideal to be used in mild insomnia or teenage insomnia. However, clinical insomnia can not be treated without actual medications. Some of the natural sleeping aids include:
- Chamomile: It is one of the most common herbs to help you feel relaxed and to induce sleep. Chamomile can be best consumed in the form of tea. You can find it easily in your local stores.
- Ashwagandha: It has been used for decades in Asia for the management and treatment of insomnia. Ashwagandha is believed to do wonders in a period of 3-4 months for insomnia.
- Lavender: Lavender is known for its relaxing properties and its aroma therapy is also quite famous around the world. You can either consume it in the form of tea or you can apply a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow to help calm you down and induce sleep
- Passionflower: It is also quite famous for its sedative properties. It can enhance the quality of your sleep and reduce nighttime wakefulness.
- Turmeric: Turmeric is also known for its tranquil property. The best way to consume it is to add a pinch or two of pure turmeric to warm milk at bedtime.
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References
1.-
Srinivasan V, Pandi-Perumal SR, Trahkt I, Spence DW, Poeggeler B, Hardeland R, Cardinali DP. Melatonin and melatonergic drugs on sleep: possible mechanisms of action. Int J Neurosci. 2009;119(6):821-46. doi: 10.1080/00207450802328607. PMID: 19326288. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19326288/
2.-
de Mendonça FMR, de Mendonça GPRR, Souza LC, Galvão LP, Paiva HS, de Azevedo Marques Périco C, Torales J, Ventriglio A, Castaldelli-Maia JM, Sousa Martins Silva A. Benzodiazepines and Sleep Architecture: A Systematic Review. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2023;22(2):172-179. doi: 10.2174/1871527320666210618103344. PMID: 34145997. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34145997/
3.-
Wagner J, Wagner ML. Non-benzodiazepines for the treatment of insomnia. Sleep Med Rev. 2000 Dec;4(6):551-581. doi: 10.1053/smrv.2000.0126. PMID: 12531036. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12531036/
