Which drug class increases the basal metabolic rate?

Which drug class increases the basal metabolic rate?

• A. Lipid-Lowering Agent
• B. Immunosuppressant
• C. Thyroid Hormone
• D. Smoking Deterrent

Answer: (C)

Thyroid hormones raise the body's resting energy expenditure. They do this by turning up the genes that control energy metabolism, increasing mitochondrial activity, and boosting oxidation of carbohydrates and fats. All these changes generate more heat and require more energy at rest, which raises the basal metabolic rate. Clinically, thyroid hormone replacement in someone with low thyroid function brings BMR up toward normal, while excess thyroid hormone can push BMR higher than normal and cause symptoms like fever, heat intolerance, and rapid heart rate. Other drug classes aren’t intended to increase resting energy use: lipid-lowering agents change lipid metabolism, immunosuppressants affect immune pathways, and smoking deterrents influence addiction-related behavior rather than baseline energy expenditure. Hence, thyroid hormones are the ones that increase basal metabolic rate.

Thyroid hormones raise the body's resting energy expenditure. They do this by turning up the genes that control energy metabolism, increasing mitochondrial activity, and boosting oxidation of carbohydrates and fats. All these changes generate more heat and require more energy at rest, which raises the basal metabolic rate. Clinically, thyroid hormone replacement in someone with low thyroid function brings BMR up toward normal, while excess thyroid hormone can push BMR higher than normal and cause symptoms like fever, heat intolerance, and rapid heart rate. Other drug classes aren’t intended to increase resting energy use: lipid-lowering agents change lipid metabolism, immunosuppressants affect immune pathways, and smoking deterrents influence addiction-related behavior rather than baseline energy expenditure. Hence, thyroid hormones are the ones that increase basal metabolic rate.