Forteo weight gain…anyone experience this?

Posted by penk0213 @penk0213, Apr 16, 2023

I have gained weight recently at the 3 month mark of using Forteo. It is not listed as a side effect.

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I have certainnly experienced weight gain in a very short amount of time. However I have also experienced many side effcts from about the 3 week mark. Side effects I can find zero info about. Most concerning and odd was a drastic negative change to my cholesterol numbers ini a a 3 week span of time!. Sky high in such a short time and no other medication changes. I cannot find any literature on the subject. I have been unlucky enough to be able to check off all the other side effects they warn about however. Everything from bone/joint pain etc etc. I now have horrible instability and have had several bad falls in that short time as well. Seems rather unproductive for fragile bones!
I have certainly heard of others with weight gain but see no mention in any medical literature about it or the cholesterol concerns.

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I've gained close to 8 pounds since March/April since on Forteo, noticing my once tiny waistline disappear. Lilly says they've never heard of this but the belly fat and weight gain is real. Anyone else have this? I also find that taking it at night is better as I don't feel like I have to push myself through the day or take a nap.

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@brookebloomingdale

I have certainnly experienced weight gain in a very short amount of time. However I have also experienced many side effcts from about the 3 week mark. Side effects I can find zero info about. Most concerning and odd was a drastic negative change to my cholesterol numbers ini a a 3 week span of time!. Sky high in such a short time and no other medication changes. I cannot find any literature on the subject. I have been unlucky enough to be able to check off all the other side effects they warn about however. Everything from bone/joint pain etc etc. I now have horrible instability and have had several bad falls in that short time as well. Seems rather unproductive for fragile bones!
I have certainly heard of others with weight gain but see no mention in any medical literature about it or the cholesterol concerns.

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have had weight gain being on reclast. It doesnt stop either. i used to be slim.

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I’m taking Tymlos not Forteo but have gained about 10# in a short period of time as well with the addition of more belly fat. It’s quite distressing!

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@tricia225

I've gained close to 8 pounds since March/April since on Forteo, noticing my once tiny waistline disappear. Lilly says they've never heard of this but the belly fat and weight gain is real. Anyone else have this? I also find that taking it at night is better as I don't feel like I have to push myself through the day or take a nap.

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Hi tricia225. My endo has suggested Forteo. I haven't started it yet. Are you using the brand name Forteo or generic brand Teriparatide? Just curious as these are my options. Thanks

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I have been on both Tymlos and Teraparatide. I am on teraparatide right now. I actually prefer Tymlos. I am going to ask my endo if I can go back on it. I had better gains on it. I haven’t experienced weight gain on either one.

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@leeosteo

Hi tricia225. My endo has suggested Forteo. I haven't started it yet. Are you using the brand name Forteo or generic brand Teriparatide? Just curious as these are my options. Thanks

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Hi and sorry for the delay in responding. I am using the brand name Forteo. There's a shell game between the specialty pharmacies and the manufacturer and, somehow, this 'copay' arrangement works and I haven't paid for any of the medication, so far.
I would encourage you to stick to the brand name as the generics are typically diluted or cut with other agents. Just my perspective.
Good luck!

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@ymv

I’m taking Tymlos not Forteo but have gained about 10# in a short period of time as well with the addition of more belly fat. It’s quite distressing!

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Yes, I began with Tymlos in late November and the weight gain began in earnest by February. I switched to Forteo in April as I couldn't take the side effects of Tymlos and that's when the weight and the belly appeared. And, yes, soooo distressing and I know its health over vanity, but, still...

I called the mfr and they claim having never heard of this before, despite me reading it on every forum like this one and my primary doc saying she's heard the same from others. Trouble is, they did the clinical research 32 years ago and, unless we all begin dying from this thing, they don't ever go back and keep monitoring and retooling the product to optimize it.
Best of luck to you.

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@normahorn

They won't do anything. I called the manufacturer and the specialty pharmacy, each assuring me that they are required to report it all to the FDA. Being that I told them this six months ago and haven't heard or read anything, I am doubtful anyone is looking at it. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

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