Medications that cause weight gain as a side effect

In this fast-moving era of life, it is really challenging for many people to maintain a healthy body weight. Although some fight with obesity, others frantically search for methods to add pounds. Medications that cause weight gain as a side effect

Underweight is often associated with low self-esteem, health problems, and even social pressure. Thus, a lot of people search for easy methods like weight gain medicines or pills which assure fast result.

But one question that arises is – What is the harm in taking medicine to gain weight? Weight gain medicines side effects?

Though at the initial stage these may lead to some weight gain, in the long run, they can bring irreversible and serious health issues like failure of liver, kidney, hormone imbalance, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and tend to lead to psychological dependency.

In this article, we would explore-

• How weight gain medicines work.
• Their dangerous side effects.
• Natural weight gain aids that may be safer.
• A Realistic Healthy Weight Gain Diet & Exercise Plan.
• When to consult a doctor.

Medications that cause weight gain as a side effect.

Weight gain pills typically have ingredients that stimulate your appetite, change hormone levels, or increase water retention.

Some even include anabolic steroids or man-made hormones that disrupt your body’s natural chemical system. Although the dummy weight gain initially appears to be “healthy,” it is actually a fabricated miracle that cannot last long.

So now, let us explore the risks in details:

Weight Loss Becomes Extremely Difficult

Fat Loss Becomes Really Hard

Often, there is slow metabolism and it leads to difficulty in losing fat due to medicines.

The majority of the artificial fat you will gain is visceral fat (around organs) and very little of it will be healthy muscle.

Fat loss slows down painfully after the body assures itself (during 8 weeks of careful eating and vast exercise) that all is well.

People are frustrated and actually use more harmful methods.

Case Study: 1 A 26-year-old male from Dhaka took steroid-based pills and gained 12 kg in 4 months. Even later, he joined a gym and also followed a restrictive diet and he was still unable to lose more than 2 kg in 6 months. Doctors discovered that his metabolism was running impotently low.

Liver and Kidney Damage

Your liver and kidneys are your body’s natural filtration system. Synthetic drugs bombard them with poison.

Liver: fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatitis and eventually liver failure.

Adverse effects of kidney: Proteinuria (leakage of protein from urine → Swelling in the body → Chronic kidney disease )

Symptoms to Watch Out For – Yellowish discolouration of the eyes/skin (Jaundice), fluid accumulation in legs, low volume of urine.

Scientific Reference: Anabolic steroids produce a 20–30% increase in risk of hepatic cancer (liver cancer) with long-term use.

Hormonal Imbalance

The majority of weight gain capsules reduce hormone manufacturing inside the body.

Among women: May get irregular periods, PCOS, facial or body hair, infertility, etc.

In Male: Testosterone levels decrease, decrease in sperm count, erectile dysfunction.

Sexes: Mood swings, depression, acne, and accelerated aging.

Case in Point: Lots of patients on appetite stimulants notice increased belly fat and missed cycles before being referred for fertility.

Heart Diseases and High Blood Pressure

The cardiovascular system is stressed due to the rapid increase in artificial weight.

Blood pressure rises.

Cholesterol and triglycerides increase.

Heart rhythm becomes irregular.

Heart attack, stroke risks soar.

Fact: According to WHO, drug-induced obesity may cause cardiovascular mortalities of 25–40% higher than that of natural obesity.

Cylindrical root vegetable like beetroot or carrot- (Develops the risk of 10% Diabetes)

Increased Risk of Diabetes

Leads to insulin resistance.

Blood sugar is high, and becomes Type-2 diabetes.

Diabetes complications: damage to the eyes, nerve pain, kidney disease.

For instance, a 29-year-old patient with no family history of diabetes on appetite stimulants for 2 years developed diabetes.

Drug Dependency and Addiction

Many pills create a cycle of dependence.

Immediate reductions in body weight occur when the medicine is halted.

Users are forced to continue.

It turns out to be a psychological addiction also.

Mental Health Complications

Less discussed but equally dangerous:

Mood swings.

Anxiety and depression.

Body image obsession.

Disorders of eating (through eating compulsively or overdosing with food).

Natural Alternatives to Weight Gain Medicines

Skip the toxic waste chemicals and eat more natural food offering nutrients and plenty of calories: you can also consider them in capsules:

Nuts & Seeds→ Almonds, cashews, walnut, sunflower seeds

Fruits→Bananas, avocado, mango, dates

Protein sources → Eggs, chicken breast, fish, lean beef

Milky foods → Milk, paneer, curd, cheese

Avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee (in moderation), olive oil.

Whole grains→ Oats, brown rice, quinoa

These foods can help you add some healthy muscle-building calories, rather than some harmful body fat.

Healthy Ways to Gain Weight Naturally

Consume More Calories Than You Burn — Be 400–600 calories in excess a day

Frequent & Small Meals – 5–6 meals instead of 2–3 large meals.

Boost Protein Consumption –1.5–2 g protein per kg body weight

Strength Training – Resistance training (squats, deadlifts, push-ups)

Sleep Well — 7–8 hours of sleep for muscle recovery

Hydration – 2–3 liters of water a day

Stay Away from Junk Foods – Take calories that are loaded with nutrients instead of empty calories.

Sample 7-Day Weight Gain Diet Plan

Day 1

Breakfast: Oats with milk, banana, peanut butter.

Lunch: Rice with chicken curry; some vegetables on the plate; salad

Snack: Almonds + dates shake.

Dinner: Fish, quinoa, sautéed veggies.

Day 2

Breakfast: 3 boiled eggs, brown bread, 1 avocado

Mettā: Yogurt drizzled with honey and sprinkled with nuts.

Dinner: Paneer, chapati, mixed vegetables.

You can repeat the above over full 7 days (flipping it for breaks/food/bathrooms etc).

Pro tip : Use milkshakes, smoothies, nut butters, and dried fruits to pack in those healthy calories!

Beginner-Friendly Workout Plan for Weight Gain

• Day 1: Squats, Deadlifts, Lunges.
• Day 2: Push-Ups, Bench, or Row with Dumbbells.
• Day 3: Rest / Yoga.
• Day 4: Pull-up, Shoulder Press, Bicep Curl
• Days 5 — Plank, Crunches, Leg Raises
• Day 6: Cardio Emergence + Stretching
• Day 7: Rest.

Build muscle focus on weight training, and not run around a track.

Why Consulting a Doctor Is Crucial

However the reasons for being underweight are many more hidden conditions:

• Thyroid disorders.
• Digestive issues (ulcer, IBS, malabsorption).
• Eating disorders.
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

A doctor can:

• Diagnose underlying causes.
• Suggest safe supplements if needed.
• Provide a customized nutrition plan.

Warning Signs to See a Doctor Immediately:

• Sudden unexplained weight loss.
• Not feeling hungry for longer than 2 weeks.
• Yellow skin/eyes (liver issue).
• Swelling in feet (kidney issue).

Conclusion

These weight gain medicines may appear to be a shortcut, but this is perilous. All of this for the price of liver and kidney failure, hormonal imbalance, diabetes, heart disease etc. – definitely not worth it.