An appetite stimulant, such as cyproheptadine hydrochloride or mirtazapine, is one option to increase food intake and help people gain weight in a healthy way.
In addition, supplementation with certain vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, vitamin B1, and vitamin B12, may also be recommended to support weight gain, because they can help prevent excessive weight loss and reduce nausea and queasiness, which may decrease hunger and the desire to eat.
However, before starting any medication or vitamin supplement, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to assess overall health and receive individualized guidance on medications and supplements.
Pharmacy medications
Some medications that may help with weight gain and should be used only under the guidance of a healthcare provider include:
1. Cyproheptadine hydrochloride
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride is a medication typically used to improve allergy symptoms.
However, it can also be used as an appetite stimulant to support weight gain, especially when combined with vitamins such as vitamin B12 and vitamin B1, because it promotes muscle mass gain and increases appetite.
How to take: The recommended dose varies by age and dosage form. Children ages 2-6 years typically take one 4 mg tablet twice daily. Adults usually take one 4 mg tablet divided into three doses per day.
2. Mirtazapine
Mirtazapine is a medication normally used to treat depression. However, one of its most common side effects is increased appetite. For this reason, when low weight is mainly related to depression, it may be an alternative to stimulate appetite and support weight gain.
How to take: This medication is for adults only. The recommended dose is ½ to 1 full 30 mg tablet daily for about 4 weeks or longer, based on the doctor's assessment.
3. Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol is a medication extracted from the Cannabis plant that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of some central nervous system conditions. However, some more recent studies have shown that it may increase appetite, helping increase calorie intake and support weight gain.
How to use: Cannabidiol is mainly prescribed for some conditions that can cause excessive weight loss, and the recommendation varies depending on age, health status, and body weight. For this reason, it is essential to see a healthcare provider first to assess overall health and confirm whether this medication is needed.
Common supplements
Some vitamins and minerals that may help with weight gain include:
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Vitamin B12: people with vitamin B12 deficiency (which can happen due to low intake of vitamin B12 foods) may experience appetite loss and nausea, which can lead to weight loss. In these cases, vitamin B12 supplementation can increase hunger and support weight gain;
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Zinc: low intake of zinc-rich foods or changes in the body that interfere with zinc absorption can lead to deficiency, causing taste changes and appetite loss. In this case, zinc supplementation may be one recommendation to support weight gain;
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Vitamin B1: vitamin B1 deficiency is associated with increased energy expenditure and decreased appetite. For this reason, vitamin B1 supplementation can be a good option to correct deficiency and stimulate hunger;
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Omega-3: this type of healthy fat helps improve digestion, supports stomach emptying, and may help stimulate food intake. Read more about omega-3s.
However, vitamins and minerals alone are not enough to promote weight gain, since it is necessary to consume more calories than the body uses.
Still, these micronutrients can help improve appetite and stimulate metabolism, while also supporting the process of gaining muscle mass and weight in a healthy way.
Additional tips
To increase appetite and gain weight in a healthy way, it is important to follow a balanced, varied, higher-calorie diet. Key tips include:
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Eat 5 to 6 meals per day, avoiding snacking between meals, to consume more calories than you burn in a day;
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Eat meals with family or friends, because sharing this moment can increase enjoyment and stimulate the desire to eat;
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Eat 3 servings of fruit per day, including 1 serving of higher-calorie fruits such as avocado, coconut, mango, persimmon, or banana. See also: other high-calorie fruits that can help with weight gain;
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Vary how foods are prepared, including raw salads, grilled foods, stews, baked foods, or steamed foods;
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Include healthy fats daily, such as olive oil, peanuts, coconut oil, seeds, or nuts, to increase the diet’s calories;
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Eat whole grains at lunch and dinner, such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, or whole grain pasta;
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Eat starchy vegetables at lunch and dinner, such as potatoes, cassava (yuca), yams, or taro, alternating them with grains;
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Include legumes daily, such as beans, lentils, or chickpeas;
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Avoid less healthy foods due to the risk of visceral fat buildup, which increases the chances of heart disease and other health problems;
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Eat protein-rich foods such as poultry, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, and yogurt at every meal to support muscle gain and, in turn, help with weight gain.
In addition, it is also important to combine nutrition with strength training, since this can also help increase muscle mass.
Check out more healthy tips on how to gain weight, including a 3 day meal plan.