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Loss of Appetite

By

Jonathan Gotfried

, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Reviewed/Revised Jan 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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A brief period of anorexia usually accompanies almost all sudden (acute) illnesses. Long-lasting (chronic) anorexia usually occurs only in people with a serious underlying disorder such as cancer, AIDS, chronic lung disease, and severe heart, kidney, or liver failure. Disorders that affect the part of the brain where appetite is regulated can cause anorexia as well. Anorexia is common among people who are dying. Some drugs, such as digoxin, fluoxetine, quinidine, and hydralazine, cause anorexia.

Most often, anorexia occurs in a person with a known underlying disorder. Unexplained chronic anorexia is a signal to the doctor that something is wrong. A thorough evaluation of the person’s symptoms and a complete physical examination often suggest a cause and help the doctor decide which tests are needed.

Underlying causes are treated to the extent possible. Steps that can help increase a person’s desire to eat include providing favorite foods, a flexible meal schedule, and, if the person desires, a small amount of an alcoholic beverage served 30 minutes before meals. In certain situations, doctors may use drugs, such as cyproheptadine, low-dose corticosteroids, megestrol, and dronabinol, to help stimulate the appetite.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Digitek , Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin, Lanoxin Pediatric
Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem, Selfemra
Quinaglute, Quinora
No brand name available
Periactin
Megace, Megace ES
Marinol, SYNDROS
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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