Effective Appetite Stimulant Medications

Changes in appetite and weight can be a sign of certain health conditions. If you start to notice a decreased appetite and unintentional weight loss, it’s important that you talk to your health professionals to understand the underlying cause.

If you are struggling with appetite loss due to a health condition, your doctor may prescribe an appetite stimulant to increase appetite and promote weight gain. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of appetite stimulation medications, how they work, possible side effects, and tips on increasing appetite with non-pharmacological (or non-drug) approaches.

Role of appetite in overall health

Appetite, meaning the motivation to eat to fulfill the body’s energy requirements, is a pivotal element for weight regulation. Appetite and hunger are mainly controlled by a complex system, including a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, in addition to the gastrointestinal system and certain natural hormones in the body. While temporary or situational weight loss that is due to environmental factors or stressors may not immediately result in weight loss, a loss of appetite over an extended period of time can result in weight loss, a lack of necessary nutrients, weakness, malnourishment, and many other health complications.

Can a poor appetite cause health problems?

A poor appetite is characterized by a loss of interest in eating food and can cause health issues over time. Without the proper nutrition and energy from frequent meals, the body cannot function adequately, and this will cause low levels of energy and fatigue. Eventually, it can lead to loss of bone strength and a weakened immune system. So, losing weight does not only result in weakness and fatigue. It also interferes with the body’s ability to fight off infection.

Poor appetite can also cause digestive issues, making it harder for your body to process food, resulting in gas, bloating, stomach pain, and irregular bowel habits.

Medical conditions that can cause poor appetite

A loss of appetite can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons, but sometimes the reason is an underlying health issue. If you begin to notice your meal intake lessen, consider talking to your doctor to rule out a potential health condition.

Some common causes of short-term appetite loss can include the common cold or flu, respiratory infections, constipation, acid reflux, food poisoning, food allergies, stress, and medication side effects.

Undergoing hormonal fluctuations such as menopause and pregnancy can affect appetite and metabolism. During pregnancy, some women may experience a loss of appetite, especially if morning sickness is also present. For menopausal women, a change in appetite may happen. This can be an increase in hunger or an appetite loss. While a loss in appetite during menopause is not common, when it occurs, it is typically due to stress, anxiety, and mood problems.

However, there are some more serious health conditions that may be responsible for your lack of interest in food. The following are more serious and long-term conditions that can lower your appetite and cause you to lose weight:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease
Asthma
Diabetes
Chronic liver or kidney disease
HIV and AIDS
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
COPD
Heart failure
Stomach cancer
Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and anorexia nervosa

Loss of appetite may also be a possible side effect of some medications, like antibiotics, CNS (central nervous system) stimulants, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy drugs.

What are the best appetite stimulant medications?

If you are experiencing unintentional weight loss due to a decreased appetite, your doctor may prescribe an appetite stimulant while promoting healthy lifestyle changes such as eating smaller meals to ensure your body is getting enough calories to be well-nourished. These medications work by targeting the mechanisms involved in hunger and satiety.

Types of drugs prescribed for increasing appetite

Appetite stimulants drugs
Anabolic steroids
Herbal and nutritional Supplements

Appetite stimulant drugs may lead to an increase in the desire for food intake. They improve the overall nutritional status of patients and weight loss issues related to other medical complications. The following medications are commonly prescribed appetite stimulants:

Megestrol Acetate (Megace)

Megestrol Acetate (Megace) is an FDA-approved synthetic progestin for the treatment of advanced uterus and breast cancer.

However, megestrol is often used off-label to treat anorexia or cachexia, which is chronic illness-related extreme weight loss. Therefore, megestrol is used as an appetite stimulant to promote weight gain for cancer patients. Megestrol is also prescribed for off-label use in pediatric patients with cachexia due to head and neck cancer.

This medication can raise the risk of blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you notice chest pain, trouble breathing, or swelling of the arms or legs. Megestrol is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it can cause birth defects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medication.

Dronabinol (Marinol)

Dronabinol (Marinol) is an artificial form of cannabis and is one of the commonly prescribed appetite-stimulating medications for HIV/AIDS patients experiencing weight loss. Dronabinol is also used to alleviate nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

This medication can help boost body weight, but it’s important to note that this medication can cause unwanted side effects such as worsening mental illness, such as psychosis, paranoia, and depression. Inform your doctor if you experience changes in mood or behaviors, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, headaches, or vision problems while taking dronabinol. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition, as dronabinol can also affect blood pressure in some older adults.

Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Mirtazapine (Remeron) is an antidepressant. It can be used to stimulate appetite in patients with major depressive disorder and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa.

Common side effects of mirtazapine are drowsiness, dizziness, increased appetite, and weight gain. This medication should not be given to children younger than 18 years old. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following worsening symptoms:

Mood or behavior changes, anxiety, worsening depression
Sleep problems
Symptoms of mania, such as recklessness, extreme happiness or sadness, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts

Keep in mind that using mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant is an off-label use. The dosage of mirtazapine used in clinical studies to stimulate appetite in cancer patients is 7.5 mg to 30 mg orally once daily.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products.

Cyproheptadine (Periactin)

Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies. It is also commonly prescribed to relieve headaches and motion sickness, as well as to increase appetite. Unlike other antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra), cyproheptadine is only available by prescription. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about other OTC antihistamines that can also be beneficial as an appetite stimulant to help you gain weight.

You should always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using cyproheptadine. Apetamin, cyproheptadine-containing products that are illegally imported into the U.S. from overseas, can cause liver disease and heart problems.

This medication can help your child eat more meals and gain weight. However, it can come with side effects, including fatigue, dry mouth, sun sensitivity, dizziness, headache, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Oxandrolone (Oxandrin)

The FDA has approved the steroidal drug oxandrolone for use in patients who experience unexplained weight loss after surgery, severe infection, and trauma. This drug reduces muscle wasting, promotes muscle growth, and stimulates appetite.

Oxandrolone can affect blood cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

How hormones affect appetite and weight

The body’s response to hunger is determined by various hormones. Hunger, the desire to seek food, is controlled by a hormone called ghrelin (also called the hunger hormone). Satiety, the feeling of fullness, is controlled by certain hormones like leptin, cholecystokinin (CKK), and peptide YY. Peptide YY is produced in the gastrointestinal tract. It reduces appetite and promotes satiety.

Notably, the “hunger hormone” ghrelin also plays many vital roles in the body besides signaling hunger. Ghrelin also:

Regulates blood sugar and the release of insulin in the body
Signals the pituitary gland to produce growth hormones
Promotes muscle health and bone formation

Natural remedies for increasing appetite

Medications are just one method of overcoming poor appetite, especially in those with an underlying health condition. Certain supplements, lifestyle changes, and other factors can improve appetite in people without needing medication.

Vitamins and supplements

Certain vitamins and minerals, such as zinc and vitamin B, can help increase appetite. Nutritional supplements, such as protein shakes, can also provide extra calories and nutrients to help you eat enough calories to gain weight.

Fish oil supplementation is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential fats and may work as appetite stimulants while also improving heart, brain, and eye functions and joint health.

High doses of fish oil supplements may lead to bleeding. Monitoring of patients using blood thinning medications is essential to ensure their safety. Other side effects may include improper digestion, diarrhea, or a fishy taste.

Herbal appetite stimulants

Some herbs and natural compounds, such as ginger, fenugreek, and certain essential oils, are believed to have appetite-stimulating properties, reducing unexplained weight loss and increasing appetite.

It is important to know that herbal and natural supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to prevent unwanted side effects and harmful drug interactions.

Lifestyle changes

If you want to increase your appetite and body weight but are unsure about taking medications, you can try to make some healthy diet and lifestyle changes first. Some ways you can naturally stimulate appetite include:

Increase physical activity (daily exercise, walking, weight lifting)
Manage stress and anxiety through activities like meditation and deep breathing
Get good sleep, as lack of sleep may result in loss of appetite
Avoid smoking, use of tobacco, and alcohol consumption. These habits can suppress appetite, leading to weight loss.

Add healthy fats and proteins to your diet to increase calories and avoid further weight loss.
Eat frequent small meals throughout the day.
Try grocery delivery services to ensure you have enough healthy foods to eat.
Eat meals in a communal setting.
Drink water 30 minutes before eating a meal in order to avoid the feeling of fullness.
Drink herbal teas before meals to promote appetite and hunger.
Consult a dietitian.