What drugs give you a big appetite?

Author: Terence Harris PhD  |  Last update: Monday, September 1, 2025

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 drugs are used to increase appetite?

Although megestrol acetate, oxandrolone, and dronabinol are the only drugs that the FDA have approved as appetite stimulants, some other medications have the side effect of increasing appetite. Some doctors may prescribe them off-label, or for their primary purpose, for this reason.

What medications make you eat a lot?

Antidepressant medicines, like amitriptyline, imipramine, paroxetine, escitalopram, citalopram, mirtazapine, and sertraline. Epilepsy medicines, like valproate, divalproex, carbamazepine, and gabapentin. Steroid hormone medicines, like prednisone or birth control pills.

What drug 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)

What causes sudden increased appetite?

Other possible causes include medication side effects, increased physical activity, or a lack of sleep. Other reasons you may notice an increased appetite include emotional eating, a physical health condition like hypothyroidism, or a mental health condition like clinical depression.

Top 3 Foods to Prevent Leg Cramps in Seniors: Strengthen Your Legs!

Why am I getting hungry so easily?

Constant hunger could be a sign of health conditions including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, depression and pregnancy. It's important to rule out medical conditions while addressing those hunger pangs. Looking for more nutrition advice and want to make an appointment with a registered dietitian?

What does a sudden change in appetite mean?

Changes to your appetite can be caused by many things, including: diseases including cancer, heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease. symptoms of COVID-19 which can also change your sense of smell or taste. if you are unwell and feeling nauseous. stress.

What drug makes you eat a lot?

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 are used to gain weight?

Megestrol (Megace ES) comes as an oral liquid. Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) comes in oral capsules or a liquid. Growth hormone analogs, such as somatropin (Serostim), are typically administered as injections. These options provide various ways to help you gain weight gain effectively.

Does Xanax cause weight gain?

Xanax can sometimes cause appetite changes and weight gain as side effects. But it's important to remember that several factors can contribute to weight gain. For example: Adults tend to gain weight as they age in general.

How to gain weight fast for skinny people?

Successful weight gain requires that you increase your daily intake of carbohydrates. Avoid low carbohydrate diets. Eating vast amounts of dietary protein won't make your muscles grow faster and will put unnecessary pressure on your body, especially your kidneys. Avoid high-protein diets.

Which vitamin is good for weight gain?

Vitamin A, B, and D. Protein supplements such as protein shakes or snacks, effectively increase body weight, body circumference, and muscle mass. Creatine for muscle growth and weight gain. Fish oil, including omega-3, to boost appetite.

Does oxycodone cause weight gain?

Opioid use, acute and chronic, is also associated with weight gain, glycemic dysregulation, and dental pathology.

What should I eat if I have no 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.

Does gabapentin increase appetite?

Gabapentin can make you hungrier, so it can be hard to stop yourself putting on weight. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets.

What drugs are used to stimulate appetite?

Generic and brand names of appetite stimulant drugs include:
  • Megace ES.
  • megestrol.
  • oxandrolone (Oxandrin)
  • dronabinol (Marinol)
  • mirtazapine (Remeron)
  • cyproheptadine (Periactin)

What drug makes you gain weight?

Steroids, the birth control shot, and some beta blockers can also cause weight gain. Lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, may be helpful in managing this side effect. If you're concerned about gaining weight from your medications, talk to your healthcare provider.

Which antipsychotic drug increases appetite?

Of the SGAs, clozapine and olanzapine are most likely to increase weight, appetite and to stimulate overeating. Both drugs also increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2- diabetes. Quetiapine, risperidone, paliperidone, asenapine, iloperidone and sertindole can also increase weight but to a lesser extent.

What is the safest recreational drug?

Psilocybin and LSD are among the least addictive and least lethal of any drug of abuse. The lethality of heroin and morphine, as defined by active dose and lethal dose, is roughly 100 times higher than the lethality of LSD or psilocybin.

Do opioids increase appetite?

Data gleaned in recent years have shown that opioid antagonists, such as naloxone or naltrexone, decrease the intake of palatable food, whereas opioid receptor agonists, such as morphine or synthetic enkephalin analogues, increase food consumption.

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 is the best vitamin for appetite?

B-Complex. B-vitamins help boost the appetite by supporting the nervous system and promoting healthy digestion, which can improve overall appetite and food intake.

Why am I never hungry and feel sick when I eat?

Having no appetite and feeling nauseated can be caused by various physical and psychological conditions, including infections and viruses, food poisoning, food intolerances or allergies, cancer, anxiety, or depression. Stress, intense exercise, and factors associated with aging may also affect appetite.

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