hydrochlorothiazide causing weight gain

I have been despairing as, no matter what I do, I keep gaining. I used to be very overweight (lost 36 kg in 2007) & have been petrified that I will end up back there again. I had been maintaining for 8 years. A few years ago my doctor added Hydrochl. to my BP medication & in the next few years, I regained quite a few kilos but didn't connect the two. Earlier this year my doctor doubled the Hyd to 25 & I have gained a further 5 kg, despite cutting calories & exercising more. I have been trying to think why this is has been happening & it has been getting me down. After reading lots of posts in here I think I have had a  light-bulb moment. Thanks, folks! I am going back to my doctor armed with this info. Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives?

I have been on HCTZ for about 10 years. In the past month I did a 24 hour B/P monitoring after insisting to my doctor that my B/P at home was always normal compared to my doctor appts. Sure enough, I only have “white coat syndrome” and not HBP. I started Weight Watchers 6 weeks ago with stopping HCTZ. The weight is falling off quickly compared to previous attempts. I am now starting to wonder if it is in part due to quitting HCTZ. Seems it may be after reading so many other comments on this thread. BTW, I never paid attention as to whether I had weight gain when I started it.

I was on another diuretic for several months and didn't change anything else about eating or life style and gained 50 pounds. Then dr discovered I didn't have congestive heart failure after all so allowed me to quite meds. In about 4 months of careful eating and exercise, not a lot different than before, I have lost 22 of the 50. Today, another internist in my 6 month appnt wanted me to go on this hctz drug because my top blood pressure is normally l32 and they want to get it down to 128. I told her I would like to think about it. After reading all the above comments, I think I'll pass. As she said, perhaps when I lose the other 28 pounds my BP will go down a bit. And when I was on the other diuretic, all I did was gain and gain and found it impossible to lose. So I can sympathize and said yes, I believe it is the diuretic.

I started BP meds (triamterene + HCT) in 1993, about the same time as menopause - weighed 142, size 14. I had a desk job, went to workout for cardio and resistance training 2-3 times a week; gained 60 lbs in 2 years. Increased exercise, went on diets, kept gaining. After about 5 years threw in the towel, went and bought a package of Oreos; lost 2 lbs that week. Very Frustrated. Couldn't take the negativity of blaming my body and myself, so quit fighting and just accepted it and got on with life. Weight continued to climb; became increasingly lethargic and had to make conscious effort to do ordinary things. Changed to Benicar HCT about 2006. Still gaining. Changed diet to reduce gluten and portion size, lost 30 lbs in 6 months. Not cheating much, but gained back the weight. Lifestyle more sedentary now; leveled off at 250 lbs, haven't gained past that. Changed to Losartan + Hct (generics) in late 2015. Size 2X now instead of 14. Recently increased HCT due to feet/ankles swelling; within a week developed intense itching in my hands. Dermatologist diagnosed "housewives hands" (from contact with water) and prescribed ointment. Got some relief, but did not stop all the itch. Finally decided to test by stopping meds for a day. Itching stopped. Resumed Losartan, no itch. Guess it was the HCT. Doctor told me to stop taking it and will see me in a couple months; directed me to self-monitor my BP meanwhile. Have now been off HCT for a week; implementing new exercise regimen, added iron +folic acid (B6) supplement to daily calcium and B-vitamins. Began researching diets for possible impaired kidney function. No more itchy hands, more energy, more alert, more motivated, thinking more clearly. Elevate feet at night and when possible during the day; minimal ankle swelling. Put a timer by the computer so I get up every 30 mins and move around. HCT does affect kidney function. It may be true that the drug by itself doesn't cause weight gain; but the associated effects may cause kidney impairment which could be related to the weight gain. Reduced kidney performance has a whole host of side effects/issues as waste products build up in the bloodstream. Recommend anyone taking HCT to modify diet as though you had kidney disease - it may help offset the side effects. Better yet...find an alternative to the HCT. Best wishes for improved health to everyone.

I disagree with you. You can't just assume that someone is lazy and not doing enough. I am a prime example of HCTZ causing a drastic weight gain in the short 4 months I have been taking it. I am a runner. I run 7-10 miles daily. I eat a healthy diet of fruits, veggies and lean protein. I watch my portion sizes and calorie intake. I did not have a problem with my weight until my doctor started me on Benicar HCTZ for my HBP. I have gained 13 lbs. I have lowered my calories to try to combat the weight gain, but I have not lost a single pound. I can't get healthier than what I already am, and I cannot lower my calories more than I have lowered them, and still be healthy. My BP is considered hereditary because it has been proven that my lifestyle is a healthy one, and even doing what I do, my BP is still high. So yes, it's rude to say what you said.

I feel the same way same issue gained weight around the mid section yet told to loose weight. Despite eating healthy and excerise cant loose the weight or gain muscle. Ask himvto swtichbmybmed but he was reluctant

What if regardless of sitting at a desk all day, you work out twice a day, eat 1400 calories a day, and it's healthy food. Every one's situation is different and no one can say what meds will or will not affect a person's weight. Our body chemistry's are different, so don't assume. Sometimes, plain and simple, it is the med. I took a life saving BP med that almost took my life from adverse effects. It happens whether is was intended to save lives or not.

30 lbs in a year since starting hctz and I’m a pro-am athlete hit the gym 4 times a week, eat right and ride horses frequently. There is no other explanation. Back to Toprol XL I guess

Always find another doctor that can see things differently. It is a shame that some people don't see that they are insensitive. Remember that there are good doctors and bad ones. You can only find good ones if you see that they have a lot of good reviews, not 5 or 8.

OMG this is me! all of the same symptoms. The weight gain is off the charts and the numbness of the foot is making driving unbearable.

I have been Taking HCTZ for the last three years. Did some research and found out it causes weight gain, Kidney damage, raises blood sugar, raises cholesterol, raises creatine levels and lowers good cholesterol. All those things I named the Dr. is trying to give me medicine for. Tried to put me on medicine for diabetes and this medicine is raising my blood sugar. I have weaned myself off the drug the last few days and my blood sugar is almost back to normal. Why didn't the Dr. know this was raising my blood sugar before she gave me diabetic medication. Oh also I am about 40 pounds over weight (50 year old male). Each year I gained at least 10 to 15 pounds. This medicine has a number of side effects and the Dr. want believe it. Thiazide raises insulin and its impossible to lose weight with high blood sugar levels all the time. I would lose 4 to 5 pounds and gain it right back. My body refused to keep the weight off every time I tried to lose it. Very bad medication. Would not recommend it to anyone. So happy to find this website and see I am not the only one dealing with these issues.

My doctor added HCTZ to lisinopril and I had rapid weight gain from 140 lbs to 156 in about 3 weeks. I stop taking it and still have not been able to come down to my original weight. of 140 lbs and it has been over a year.

What did they put you on?

I'd like to put in my two cents to help. This med seems to have made me gain weight.