Anand Sharma Anand Sharma Asked 5 months ago

Do anti inflammatories cause weight gain?

I've been taking anti-inflammatory medicines for my knee pain for a while now. I've noticed a bit of weight creeping up recently and wondered if these meds could be the reason. Do anti-inflammatories generally cause weight gain?

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12 answers

Rohan Sen Rohan Sen Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago
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Honestly, I took some heavy painkillers for a sports injury last month and felt super bloated and puffy. My mom said it was just water retention, and it went away a few days after I stopped taking them.

Ramesh Kulkarni Ramesh Kulkarni Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

If you are taking them for joint pains, sometimes they cause water retention which looks like weight gain. Just cut down on salty foods and pickles, and drink plenty of plain water to help your body flush it out.

Priyanka Sharma Priyanka Sharma Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

With PCOS, I am already very prone to weight gain, so I am always careful with medications. Some anti-inflammatories, especially steroids, can definitely cause weight changes, so it is best to ask your doctor for safer alternatives if you are worried.

Mariyam Thomas Mariyam Thomas Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

Standard NSAIDs like ibuprofen can cause your body to hold onto sodium and water, which feels like sudden weight gain. It is temporary, but if you have high BP or kidney issues, you must be careful and discuss it with your doctor.

Savitri Devi Savitri Devi Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

My daughter had to take strong anti-inflammatory medicines for a chronic joint issue, and we noticed some puffiness around her face. We just made sure she ate home-cooked, low-salt meals and it controlled the swelling nicely.

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Kriti Saxena Kriti Saxena Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

I have been prescribed these for my back pain and I feel like my face is looking rounder already. Has anyone else experienced sudden swelling or weight gain within just a week of starting them?

Madhav Prasad Madhav Prasad Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

These chemical medicines often affect our body's natural water balance. Along with your prescribed medication, doing some gentle stretching and deep breathing can help reduce bodily stiffness and fluid congestion naturally.

Ritu Kapoor Ritu Kapoor Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Yes, they can make you hold a bit of water weight, but don't stress! Just stay hydrated and avoid salty snacks for a few days, and your body will be back to normal soon.

Ananya Roy Ananya Roy Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Any sudden weight gain or swelling while taking new medications should not be ignored. It is always safest to get a quick checkup done with your doctor to make sure your kidneys and heart are tolerating the medicine well.

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Vikram Malhotra Vikram Malhotra Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I completely understand how stressful it is to see the scale go up when you are already dealing with pain. It made me very anxious too, but my doctor reassured me it was just temporary fluid retention and would pass.

Vijay Khanna Vijay Khanna Joined May 2026 5 months ago

If those anti-inflammatories are steroid-based, they can raise your blood sugar levels along with causing weight gain. Make sure you monitor your sugar levels closely and consult your physician regularly.

Jaspreet Singh Jaspreet Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Don't worry too much. Mostly, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause temporary fluid retention rather than actual fat gain. Just keep an eye on your symptoms and let your doctor know if the swelling increases.

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