Will you lose weight after stopping Symbicort?
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
Will you lose weight after stopping Symbicort?
You may lose weight after stopping Symbicort if the drug made you gain weight during the course of your treatment. The steroidal nature of Symbicort can affect your body weight in a number of ways.
If it causes water retention in your body and makes you put on water weight, you will begin to lose this weight after stopping this medication (1). This is because your body will start to lose the retained fluid once you’re done with your treatment. This makes you lose weight.
However, Symbicort can spike your blood glucose levels and can make you gain weight by affecting your metabolism. It can also affect your dietary intake by increasing your appetite and it may also trigger unusual cravings. (2)
If you have experienced this type of weight gain, you will not lose it right away and you may have to put in some more effort to lose all of it. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your weight.
How to lose weight in a safe and effective way after stopping Symbicort?
When trying to lose weight in a safe and effective way after stopping Symbicort, it is important to focus on adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Here are some tips to help you with your weight loss journey:
Set realistic goals
Determine a realistic weight loss goal that is achievable and sustainable over time. Aim for gradual weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week, as this is generally considered a safe and healthy rate.
Eat a balanced diet
Focus on consuming a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid or limit processed foods, sugary snacks, and beverages high in calories.
Portion control
Be mindful of portion sizes to prevent overeating. It is an important tool to lose weight effectively (3). Some tips for portion control are:
- Use smaller plates and bowls.
- Fill half your plate with veggies.
- Avoid eating straight from the bag or container.
- Measure your food.
- Eat slowly and savour your food.
- Be mindful of restaurant portions.
- Listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
- Limit distractions while eating.
- Plan snacks in advance.
- Drink water before meals.
Regular physical activity
Engage in regular physical activity that you enjoy. Aim for a combination of aerobic exercises (such as brisk walking, jogging, or swimming) and strength training exercises (using weights or resistance bands) to help build muscle and burn calories.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Water can help with weight loss by promoting feelings of fullness and aiding in digestion.
Monitor your progress
Keep track of your food intake and physical activity to stay accountable and monitor your progress. This can be done using a journal, mobile apps, or online tools.
Final words
To sum up, you can naturally lose weight after stopping Symbicort if the drug made you gain some extra pounds. However, you still may need to put in more effort for safe, healthy, and long-lasting weight loss.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before starting any weight loss program, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
Additionally, keep in mind that weight loss should be approached in a balanced and sustainable way, prioritizing overall health and well-being rather than solely focusing on the number on the scale.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
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/
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.-
Rolls BJ. What is the role of portion control in weight management? Int J Obes (Lond). 2014 Jul;38 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1-8. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2014.82. PMID: 25033958; PMCID: PMC4105579. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25033958/
