Weight loss is not always a good thing. It can be a serious problem when you lose too much weight or cannot gain weight, especially when it is due to complications of illness. If you are significantly underweight, your doctor may want you to gain weight. Appetite stimulants may be able to help you gain weight, but you need to make careful food choices. Use of these medicines should be supervised by your doctor.
Megestrol Acetate
Megestrol acetate, also known by its brand name Megace, is a synthetic progesterone medication that may stimulate your appetite. According to Caresearch, Megace can stimulate your appetite if you are suffering from advanced cancer, but may not help if your appetite loss is due to other causes such as AIDS. This drug also carries increased risk of blood clots, and headaches are a common side effect.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Drugs in the category of atypical antipsychotics include olanzapine, also known as Zyprexa, and aripiprazole, or Abilify. This class of medication is very sedating but also increases hunger and may make it easier to eat more. Antipsychotics can also increase your blood sugar levels, which may be risky to use if you have a family history of diabetes.
Dronabinole
Dronabinole, also known as Marinol, is the medical version of cannabis, or medicinal marijuana. Medicinal marijuana can stimulate your appetite and make you want to eat more. Marinol is legal, regulated and sold in pill form. Medical marijuana that is smoked is not legal in all states, but the pharmaceutical version is available by prescription. Those suffering from terminal illnesses, such as cancer, may also find that Marinol relieves treatment-related nausea.
Food Choices
Although you may not be worried about becoming fat, it is still important to make your calories count. As appetite stimulants take effect and you are prompted to eat more, choose healthy options so that weight gain does not come from empty calories. Increase your intake of calorie-dense protein, such as meat and dairy.
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