There are indeed pills that can increase appetite, and drugs that can
help you to gain weight. Below I've gathered some material for you to
consider. Of course you'll want to work with your physician in
designing a plan for gaining weight.
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PRESCRIPTION OREXIGENIC (APPETITE-ENHANCING) DRUGS
====================================================
MEGESTROL ACETATE (MEGACE)
"Megace is the brand name of megestrol acetate, a synthetic substance
derived from the female hormone, progesterone. The drug is marketed by
Bristol-Myers Company for the treatment of breast cancer which has
spread to other parts of the body. Another possible use of Megace is
to stimulate appetite in order to produce weight gain. The actual way
Megace works in appetite stimulation is unclear. Some experiments seem
to indicate that the drug plays a role in fat synthesis in the body."
Aegis
http://www.aegis.com/pubs/gmhc/1991/GM050910.html
Megestrol acetate... To treat loss of appetite and severe weight or
muscle loss in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
or cancer by causing certain proteins to be produced that cause
increased appetite and weight gain...
Megace is a great appetite enhancer...Mom used and she went from 70
pounds to 99 pounds in a month...also does not interfere with other
drugs and no known side effects...
Megestrol acetate has been shown to increase body weight, appetite,
performance status, and sense of well-being in cancer patients
receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy, and in AIDS patients."
End of Life Care
http://endoflifecare.tripod.com/juvenilehuntingtonsdisease/id261.html
DRONABINOL (MARINOL)
"Dronabinol is a synthetic version of THC. THC is the active
ingredient in Marijuana. It produces a high or stoned feeling but also
stimulates appetite and soothes nausea.
Dronabinol was approved by the government in 1985 for treating the
nausea produced by chemotherapy in cancer patients.
In 1992 it was approved for prescription to people with AIDS to
stimulate appetite and combat weight loss."
Information About Dronabinol (Marinol)
http://www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/mj017.htm
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PRESCRIPTION STEROIDS AND GROWTH HORMONES
===========================================
OXANDROLONE (OXANDRIN)
"The oral medication oxandrolone is indicated as an adjunctive therapy
to promote weight gain after weight loss following extensive surgery,
chronic infections, or severe trauma, and in some patients who,
without definite pathophysiologic reasons, fail to gain or to maintain
normal weight and to offset the protein catabolism associated with
prolonged administration of corticosteroids...
Studies of oxandrolone in either healthy volunteers or in people with
a variety of conditions associated with IWL have demonstrated the
following:
Oxandrolone increased muscle protein synthesis,
Increased nitrogen (a breakdown product of protein) retention,
Increased weight, and
Increase in LBM [lean body mass]."
Involuntary Weight Loss
http://www.involuntaryweightloss.com/treatment/medications.asp
SOMATROPIN (SEROSTIM)
"Human growth hormone (somatropin [Serostim]) has been shown to be
successful in promoting weight gain, lean body mass gain, and
increased functional performance when administered for a 3-month
period to patients with AWS. In a recent study by Paton and
colleagues, somatropin was also successful in reducing protein
catabolism and increasing lean body mass when administered for a
2-week period to patients with active, acute opportunistic infection,
a time when lean body mass loss typically occurs. The use of
somatropin, while generally well tolerated, can be somewhat
problematic: it must be injected daily; it is associated with
increased tissue turgor, musculoskeletal pain, and hyperglycemia; and
it is very expensive (although approved by Medicaid)."
Cached article from Medscape
http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:XeP-mpOy22AJ:www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410300_6+somatropin+%22weight+gain%22&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8
OXYMETHELONE
"Anabolic steroids now play an important role in the aggressive
treatment of wasting associated with HIV and other diseases, and may
in some cases be used to restore lean body mass after surgery or
chemotherapy... Oxymetholone promotes rapid weight gain because of an
increase in lean body mass -- particularly when use of the drug is
accompanied by a program of strenuous progressive resistance
exercise."
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
http://www.sfaf.org/treatment/beta/b37/b37oxymeth.html
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HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENTS & HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
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KING BIO APPETITE ENHANCER
"Appetite Enhancer... For natural relief of loss of appetite, no
desire to eat, aversion to food, and inability to bear the sight or
smell of food. Helps to naturally revitalize after gradual loss of
weight from impaired nutrition."
King Bio Pharmaceuticals
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/kingbio/apen.html
HERBTIME
"1. Alfalfa... Improves the appetite. (It also contains almost every
vitamin & mineral)
2. TSII w/Hops (100) Stock No.1092-0 Helps to normalize an overactive
metabolism. Especially helpful to the person who eats plenty & doesn't
gain weight...
Saw Palmetto (100) Stock No.630-4 Contains an enzyme (lipase) that
helps to increase or normalize weight."
Herbtime
http://www.herbtime.com/HerbRecipes/AthletesWeightGain.htm
HERBAL MAGIC
"Herbal Magic products increase lean muscle tissue, metabolic rate and
energy. Natural diuretics and potent energy rejuvenating tonics also
increase and improve your metabolism and circulation."
Herbal Magic Systems
http://www.herbalmagicsystems.com/index.cgi?Mode=List&Field=9&Search=Weight+Gain
ECTOPLAN
"Even if you have been skinny for years - you can now end that
unhappiness. Now gain the weight you need-to gain the curves you want
...the pounds needed to fill out bathing suits and jeans. No matter
how many weight gaining methods you may have tried in the past-here's
the last method you will ever have to use....start gaining weight
today instead of losing precious time."
Rush Industries
http://store.yahoo.com/rushind/ae.html
====================
ADDITIONAL READING
====================
Boosting Intake for Weight Gain
http://www.gmhc.org/living/treatment/boost.html
Reno Gazette Journal: What's a Safe Way to Gain Weight?
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2003/03/03/35827.php
iCan: Tips to Battle a Poor Appetite
http://www.ican.com/news/fullpage.cfm/articleid/984E1C19-AD1F-4C73-B5CD6BA5BB38AED2/cx/health.stay_healthy/article.cfm
How to Gain Weight: Need to Gain Weight?
http://www.how-to-gain-weight.com/
Go Ask Alice: Increase Weight?
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0234.html
And last, but certainly not least, I suggest that you may benefit from
the resources mentioned in the answer to this question (asked several
months ago on Google Answers):
Google Answers: TEENAGE ATHLETE WEIGHT GAINING PROGRAM
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=203088
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Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "orexigenic"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=orexigenic
Google Web Search: "appetite enhancer"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22appetite+enhancer
Google Web Search: "appetite stimulant"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22appetite+stimulant
Google Web Search: "appetite stimulation"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22appetite+stimulation
Google Web Search: "megace"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=megace
Google Web Search: "megestrol"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=megestrol
Google Web Search: "dronabinol"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=dronabinol
Google Web Search: "oxandrolone"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=oxandrolone
Google Web Search: "somatropin"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=somatropin
======================================================================
I hope this is helpful. Please keep in mind that Google Answers is not
a source of authoritative medical advice; the material presented here
is for informational purposes, and should not be viewed as a
substitute for the services of a medical professional.
If anything is unclear, or if a link does not function, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.
Best wishes,
pinkfreud |
