People often resort to consumption of drugs that stimulate the appetite in order to get over their problems of severe weight loss, especially caused by some illness. There are side-effects of these drugs and should be consumed only if they are prescribed by a qualified medical expert.
A loss of appetite can lead to sudden and severe weight loss, and one of the best ways to counter this problem is to consume appetite stimulant drugs. There are many healthy ways to increase one’s appetite as well, but those methods take time and require a change in one’s lifestyle and habits, which isn’t easy.
By consuming these medications, you can stimulate the appetite quicker, albeit with the risk of some severe side-effects. These drugs are more commonly administered to people suffering from serious diseases like AIDS or cancer, and are thus in need of an enhanced appetite so that their body does not lose strength fast.
The medical term given to such drugs is Orexigenic drugs, and these drugs range from antihistamines and antiemetics, right to synthetic hormones and antidepressants. None of these drugs were originally designed to increase an individual’s appetite, but over time, this property of theirs has been put to use.
Purpose of Appetite Stimulant Drugs
One must first understand the subtle difference between appetite and hunger, because they are two completely different concepts. Hunger is the body’s basic need for food and nutrients, whereas appetite is the desire to eat more.
An individual’s appetite is affected by many different factors which stem from psychological roots, and this is why there are people who have no appetite even though they are very hungry. This is seen more often in people who have recently undergone some trauma, or people who are ailing from some serious disease.
Such orexigenic drugs increase one’s desire to eat food, and helps the individual avoid malnutrition. This is a real threat for people with low appetites, as lesser food consumed means lesser energy produced, and this leads to the body becoming vulnerable to various other ailments. Moreover, these drugs are used to counter the effects of anorexia nervosa.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
There are a lot of drugs that can be used for this purpose, and are permitted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is important to consume these drugs as and when prescribed, and not to resort to them just for the sake of it, and in unregulated amounts.
There are certain side-effects that accompany these drugs as well, and this is something one needs to be cautious about. Here are some of the most commonly administered drugs for stimulating appetite.
- Megestrol Acetate
- Anabolic Steroids
- Dronabinol
- Cyproheptadine
- Mirtazapine
- Marinol
- Megace
- Megace ES
Only the recommended dosages, prescribed by a medical expert should be taken of these drugs. Don’t take without consultation, as you are unaware of how much is good for you, and how much will harm you. Many people look for appetite stimulating drugs for children, and end up causing further damage to their kids. Do not resort to this without consultation.
Probable Side Effects
Some noted side-effects of these drugs, and these are more likely to appear if one has been taking these drugs in large doses, or for a prolonged period of time.
→ Severe mood changes and extreme depression
→ Panic attacks and severe insomnia
→ Nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased heartbeat and chest pain
→ Fatigue, skin-rash, headaches and diarrhea
→ Hallucinations, memory loss, anxiety and nervousness
→ Muscle pain, high blood pressure, difficulty urinating, and seizures
→ Liver diseases and bone pain
There is no need to get alarmed after reading these side-effects. This is not something that happens to everyone, and the intensity of these side-effects also differs from person to person. If you are consuming these drugs without a prescription, in large doses, or for a long period of time, then the possibility of these side-effects increases.
Healthy Alternatives to Drugs
- Regular exercise
- A healthy and balanced diet
- Proper and adequate sleep
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Healthy lifestyle
These techniques will work far better than these extremely powerful drugs which could potentially harm your body and also make your body dependent upon them. So cook yourself a lovely meal or walk into a restaurant and enjoy a scrumptious meal!
Disclaimer: This NutriNeat article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
