HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is It Normal To Experience Weight Gain While On Treatment For Brain TB?

default
Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2015
Question: HI
My son who is 19yrs is diagnoised with brain tb he was prescribed akt4 for 3months then after an mri he was given akt3 .asked for an lft to be done in the month of september. my query is before itself he was weighing 90kgs, now after the treatment started he is around 106kgs i am worried about this he isin his 2nd year engineering and he stays away in the hostel.is it normal to gain so much weight and is it advisable for gyming please advice and the treatment is adviced for an year .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Weight gain can be steroid induced.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Once the treatment of Tubercular meningitis or TB Brain is started, weight gain occurs as a result of control of infection.
Another reason, that could be there for weight gain is use of steroids, that are used by many doctor's in the treatment of Brain TB.
I would advice in such case, to stop steroids as soon as possible, if he has been prescribed.
He should definitely start exercising for weight control. He may join gym for that purpose.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (45 minutes later)
He is also taking Eptoin 2 tabs in the night and benedon one tab in the morning with AKT3

does any of these medication contain steroids. He has to be on this medication for a one year of which 2 1/2 months is all over.

the consulting doctor said that he may gain weight but my query is in a span of just 5 months he has gained over 12 kgs. I would like to share that his height is 6 feet. My query is - Is it normal to gain such weight ? and Will the weight gain also continue on stopping the medication ?? Are their any other side effects besides weight gain due these medication & how these can be controlled, if any.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No, these are not steroids.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Eptoin and AKT are not steroids. However, Eptoin can cause weight gain, but this is an important drug.
As far as your query is concern, we often see weight gain in patients of tuberculosis, once the treatment response is there.
Infact, many doctor's consider weight gain as a positive response to therapy.
But such excessive weight gain can cause many side effects and can lead to various other diseases of obesity.
These drugs have to be given in any case for the complete course.
He should preferably go for running rather then joining a gym. He can go to a nearby park and start exercises with running.
Soon his weight would go under control.
I hope it helps you.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Stay healthy.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Is It Normal To Experience Weight Gain While On Treatment For Brain TB?

Brief Answer: Weight gain can be steroid induced. Detailed Answer: Welcome to Healthcaremagic. Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern. Once the treatment of Tubercular meningitis or TB Brain is started, weight gain occurs as a result of control of infection. Another reason, that could be there for weight gain is use of steroids, that are used by many doctor's in the treatment of Brain TB. I would advice in such case, to stop steroids as soon as possible, if he has been prescribed. He should definitely start exercising for weight control. He may join gym for that purpose. This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me. Stay Healthy. Dr Anshul Varshney , MD