Why Do Some Diabetes Medications Cause Weight Gain

In the U.S., more than 10% of people have diabetes. It is a condition that happens when your body cannot use or make insulin. Without insulin, the body’s blood glucose level rises to unsafe levels. The majority of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.

Many possible ways can help you treat diabetes include the combination of medication and lifestyle change. The proper treatment regimen is unique for everyone who has diabetes. One top concern for most people when they first start diabetes medications is the side effects they may experience. You can get diabetes medication at good discounts if you download a free prescription discountcard.

Why does diabetes medication results in weight change for people?

Diabetes medications may cause weight changes by affecting the use of sugar in the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body to turn sugar from food into cell energy. Sugar moves with the help of insulin from your blood into the cells. The movement ought to lower blood sugar.

However, when there’s too much sugar in the blood, insulin will tell your liver to turn sugar into fat. The added fat may lead to weight gain over time. Until the blood sugar is controlled, the sugar-into-fat process continues. It is why insulin’s weight gain side effect is expected mostly if you start it first. The side effect also applies to the medications that tell your body to make more insulin.

On the flip side, a few medications for diabetes may cause weight loss by getting rid of extra body sugars. Less sugar in the blood means there’s less sugar available to change into fat.

Thus, if a medication works by removing sugar from the blood, weight loss could be a possible side effect.

Diabetes medication that may cause weight gain

Four main kinds of diabetes medications may result in weight gain. A feature they all share is that the work may affect the body’s insulin. As mentioned above, few medications affect insulin levels in your body, leading to weight gain. These medicines are:

1. Insulin

2. Pramlintide (Symlin)

3. Metformin

4. SGLT2 inhibitors

5. Meglitinides (“glinides”)

6. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs or “glitazones”)

7. Sulfonylureas

Conclusion

Diabetes medications are essential to lower blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. However, few medicines may lead to weight loss or weight gain. Insulin tends to cause the most weight gain.

A healthy diet and exercise are crucial to maintaining a healthy weight. It would help if you worked closely with your healthcare team to determine the best diabetes treatment regimen.

Also, get diabetes medications at good discounts through a free Rx card.

Tips to Access Low-Cost and Free Healthcare

Having limited financial resources when you need medical care may raise concerns about your budget and health. However, there are options if you are underinsured or lack insurance. In addition to the insurance coverage underwritten by the government, low-cost and accessible healthcare is available for adults, including children and seniors.

                         

How much do uninsured Americans pay for healthcare?

Uninsured people are charged more for healthcare and typically pay more out of pocket. It is because they do not benefit from the reduced rates negotiated by private insurance companies and public insurers like Medicaid and Medicare.

How to get medical treatment without insurance?

Clinics and hospitals of all kinds accept patients who do not possess insurance. Few offer financial assistance programs or uninsured patient discounts.

Specific health centers were created to care for people who lack insurance and work with them for payment. These providers include:

A) Charitable and free clinics that are precisely for ‘medically underserved’ people like those without access to insurance.

B) Federally qualified health centers like FQHCs are community health facilities funded by the federal government to provide medical care in underserved areas.

C) Safety-net hospitals and clinics with health centers are called public hospitals, county hospitals, or essential hospitals.

Why do the uninsured pay the highest price?

As noted earlier, uninsured people usually do not have a financially responsible party advocating for a low cost of service. Apart from saving money from the free prescription discount cards, people without insurance are sometimes asked to pay the total medical bill at the service time.

1. Medicaid

One of the best ways for uninsured people to receive low-cost and accessible healthcare is to apply for government insurance programs like Medicaid.

2. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Health insurance coverage is provided to 10 million children in the US through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. It targets low-income children and, in some states, low-income pregnant women.

3. Federally qualified health centers (FQHC)

Federally qualified health centers, or FQHCs, are community-based primary care providers funded by the federal government for underserved areas and populations.

Apart from these, you can save money on prescriptions through the free Rx card. It will help you get the best prescription discounts.