Weight Gain with Humira?! Please Help!

Hey Everyone!

So I have been on Humira since August, and I usually keep a pretty good constant weight, but since I started Humira (40 mg pre-filled syringe), I keep gaining weight. I watch what I eat, exercise regularly and eat healthy, and the pound just keep coming! I was a size 9 in august, and now am I size 13! Please help. I am a 20 year old female, and the last thing I need is being self conscious about my weight!! Please help!

Thanks! Alicia.

Diagnosed August 2008

There is some evidence that Remicade may be associated with significant weight gain. There is one study from 2007 that found very substantial weight gaiin (60+ pounds) in Remicade patients.

There don't appear to be any follow up studies published on this subject.

Have you asked your GI about this?

It can be hard to accurately assess whether there is drug induced weight gain in Crohn's patients as many are under-weight at the time of diagnosis. Their weight often fluctuates a lot according to whether they are in remission or flaring.

You might want to keep a food and exercise diary for at least 2 weeks - a month would probably be better - and take that with you to your GI appointment. It is VERY helpful to your doctor to have that kind of information to use in these kinds of situations.

My son gained a substantial amount of weight on Humira but he was also on other drugs that are known to cause weight gain. So it's hard to say if it was the Humira or not. He stopped Humira a year ago and did not have any weight loss but I wouldn't necessarily expect that once you stop a med.

Best wishes. I hope you get it sorted out.

Patricia