Is there a pill to stimulate appetite?

Author: Eloisa Heller Jr.  |  Last update: Friday, December 26, 2025

Megestrol (Megace ES), dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), and oxandrolone are FDA-approved appetite stimulants that can promote weight gain and nutritional intake when needed. Mirtazapine (Remeron) is an antidepressant that's sometimes taken off-label to boost appetite.

What pills can I take to increase my appetite?

The FDA-approved appetite stimulant is megestrol acetate, a progestin, which is a synthetic derivative of progesterone, the natural female sex hormone. Megestrol acetate was originally developed as a contraceptive, but the side effect of weight gain led to its use as an appetite stimulant.

What is the best thing to increase appetite?

The following tips may help increase appetite and improve interest in eating: Get plenty of rest. Exercise lightly before meals to stimulate appetite. Even a short walk may be invigorating. Select enjoyable foods and foods that have a pleasant aroma. Plan meals the day before eating them.

What drugs give you a big appetite?

Examples of medications that can increase appetite and lead to weight gain include: Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin, phenelzine (Nardil), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), and mirtazapine (Remeron)

What are the best appetite pills?

An analysis of 143 studies revealed that phentermine-topiramate and GLP-1 receptor agonists (like liraglutide and semaglutide) are among the most effective medications for reducing weight in people with obesity. The typical body weight reduction with these medications is 6% to 11%.

Stimulate appetite and weight gain

What pill makes you gain the most weight?

Which Medications Cause the Most Weight Gain?
  • Paxil (paroxetine)
  • Celexa (citalopram)
  • Pamelor (nortriptyline)
  • Luvox (fluvoxamine)
  • Elavil (amitriptyline)
  • Remeron (mirtazapine)

Is there a natural appetite stimulant?

Ginger is one of the incredible herbs that is mostly used as an appetite stimulant. Ginger juice works amazingly well for improving poor appetite. Boil one cup of water, add coriander seeds and dried ginger powder boil well, until the water is reduced half.

What should I eat if I have a low appetite?

Include a variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet. You can add extra calories and protein by adding butter, cheese or sauces to vegetables, or custard or cream to fruit. Aim to have starchy foods such as cereals, potatoes, bread and rice at every meal.

Which vitamin is best for weight gain?

A vitamin that has the ability to slow down your metabolism, vitamin C can help you gain weight. It's a necessary vitamin to help protect your body, but also to help you gain some weight. While you can gain some weight from the slower metabolism, vitamin C can also help keep you from overeating.

Can I pill increase appetite?

Birth control and increased appetite.

Progesterone (natural or humanmade) can make you hungrier. It may trigger binge or emotional eating in some people. Certain types of birth control might also make you more likely to crave sweets or other high-calorie foods, especially the progestin-only birth control shot.

What drugs are used to stimulate appetite?

Megestrol (Megace ES), dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), and oxandrolone are a few examples of prescription appetite stimulants. But there are several more available, so it's good to keep your options in mind.

Do appetite stimulant pills work?

Appetite stimulants are not always successful; however, some patients benefit from them.

What is the best appetite stimulant for seniors?

Foods for the Elderly with No Appetite
  • Crackers with peanut butter or cheese.
  • Healthy milkshakes or smoothies.
  • Nutritious soups.
  • Hot cocoa.
  • Full-fat cottage cheese.
  • Full-fat milk.
  • Fiber-fortified cereal and bread.
  • Vitamin D-rich fish and eggs.

What supplements increase your appetite?

If you're not eating enough, you could have lower levels of certain vitamins and minerals, which may affect your appetite. Consider supplementing with zinc, vitamin B1 and fish oils, which have all been found to help stimulate appetite.

What to eat when you have no taste?

Some patients with issues related to smell and taste find that chilled or frozen foods taste better to them than warm or hot foods. If that's true for you, too, try yogurts, smoothies, shakes, egg salad or frozen fruit. “You can also choose not to heat up your leftovers,” notes Ruzensky.

What deficiency causes loss of appetite?

Some examples of chronic conditions that can cause appetite loss include: nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc deficiency. digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism.

What is the best pill to increase appetite?

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 sarcopenia (muscle wasting), promotes muscle growth, and stimulates appetite.

Does vitamin B12 increase appetite?

Serotonin regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin production is supported by vitamin B12, which can reduce the risk of overeating and regulate appetite.

Which multivitamin is best for appetite?

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) by EssentialSeries. Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is essential for metabolising proteins and fats, so maintaining the required levels contributes to a good appetite. Foods rich in vitamin B12 are of animal origin: red meat or poultry, eggs, fish and shellfish.

How can a skinny person gain weight?

In general, your plan may include:
  1. Eating more frequently. Slowly begin to eat 5 to 6 smaller meals during the day. ...
  2. Choosing food with lots of nutrients. ...
  3. Top it off. ...
  4. Try smoothies and shakes. ...
  5. But watch what and when you drink. ...
  6. Exercise.

What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?

Key takeaways:
  • Weight-loss medications can help certain people meet their body weight goals. ...
  • Some popular weight-loss pills are Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion), Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER), and phentermine (Adipex-P).
  • Some clinical studies suggest that Qsymia is the most effective weight loss pill.

Does gabapentin make you gain weight?

Gabapentin may cause weight gain, but it is an uncommon side effect. Studies have shown that a small number of people taking gabapentin, a drug used to treat epilepsy and postherpetic neuralgia, experienced weight gain. People who do gain weight may gain about 5 pounds after 6 weeks of use.

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