How can I improve my appetite while taking stimulants (stimulant medications)?

Managing Appetite Loss on Stimulant Medications

When experiencing appetite suppression from stimulant medications, timing meals with medication doses, consuming high-calorie snacks when appetite returns, and adjusting medication timing are the most effective strategies to maintain adequate nutrition. 1

Understanding Stimulant-Related Appetite Suppression

Stimulant medications commonly cause reduced appetite as a side effect. This is one of the seven most frequently reported side effects in placebo-controlled studies, along with:

• Delay of sleep onset
• Weight loss
• Tics
• Stomach-ache
• Headache
• Jitteriness 1

Effective Strategies for Managing Appetite Loss

Timing-Based Approaches

• Coordinate meals with medication timing:

  • Take stimulants with meals rather than before meals
  • Schedule main meals when medication effects are at their lowest
  • Eat breakfast before taking the first dose of the day

• Leverage the "medication window":

  • Consume high-calorie drinks or snacks in the evening when stimulant effects have worn off 1
  • Plan your largest meal for when appetite naturally returns

Nutritional Strategies

• Focus on calorie-dense foods when appetite is present:

  • Smoothies with protein powder, nut butters, and full-fat dairy
  • Trail mix, nuts, and seeds as snacks
  • Add healthy oils (olive, avocado) to meals for extra calories

• Meal structure modifications:

  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
  • Keep ready-to-eat nutritious snacks easily accessible
  • Consider liquid nutrition supplements if weight loss becomes concerning

Medication Adjustments

• Dose optimization:
  • Work with your healthcare provider to find the lowest effective dose
  • Consider sustained-release formulations which may cause less severe appetite suppression 1
  • Explore timing adjustments of medication administration

Important Cautions

• Avoid appetite stimulant medications:

  • There is insufficient evidence supporting the systematic use of appetite stimulants 1
  • Potential side effects of appetite stimulants may outweigh benefits
  • Cannabinoids (dronabinol) and megestrol acetate have been tested in limited trials with inconsistent results 1

• Monitor for significant weight loss:

  • Weigh yourself regularly
  • Report significant weight changes to your healthcare provider
  • The MTA study showed that children on chronic stimulants had significant decrements in weight acquisition compared to non-medicated children 1

Special Considerations

• For severe appetite suppression:
  • Consider a medication holiday on weekends or during school breaks if appropriate
  • Discuss with your doctor about trying a different stimulant medication that might have less impact on your appetite
  • In some cases, adjuvant medical uses of stimulants at lower doses may actually help improve appetite in certain medical conditions 1

By implementing these strategies consistently, most people can maintain adequate nutrition while continuing to benefit from their stimulant medication therapy.