Weight - Getting your appetite back while on stimulants

[nemo]

Hi everyone, this is swim's first post. Since this forum has given swim so much, he thought it would be time to give something back. Swim did not find anything on this topic, so he thinks it's not a double posting.

Some background.
Swim is a 25 year old male and has been prescribed methylphenidate (ritalin) for his ADD, for almost a month now. Besides this swim is also prescribed Escitalopram Oxalate (lexapro) for about 3 months. The escitalopram is not really necessary in swim's opinion, but he doesn't complain.

The methylphenidate is a real God's gift. Swim does not abuse it. He did try some things, but finds it just works better when used as prescribed.

The problem.
Swim has lost about 3kg. This might not seem much, but it is for swim as he doesn't weigh very much to begin with. This of course comes from the combination of burning more energy by working harder, and a total loss of appetite because of the methylphenidate.

The solution.
Swim did some research and found that Cyproheptadine (Periactin) was used to counteract the weight-loss in adhd kids that were prescribed stimulants [1].

The results.
Swim of course tried this immediately and has now regained his appetite while on methylphenidate. He cannot give you results on actually gaining weight as is he is only in the second day.

Discussion.
Mind that Cyproheptadine is a serotonin receptor antagonist. This means it blocks the working of an anti-depressant. It can be used as a treatment for the serotonin syndrome.

Swim does not really see this as a problem, because he feels he did not really need the AD to begin with. He speculates they just gave this to him to try to get easily rid of him and his ADD problems, without having to prescribe the stimulant. Swim will monitor his mood of course, and when he notices he gets depressed, he will of course stop the cyproheptadine.

Swim hopes this is helpful for anyone wanting to gain weight on stimulants.

References.
[1] W. Burleson Daviss, John Scott. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. March 1, 2004, 14(1): 65-73. doi:10.1089/104454604773840508. http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs...ournalCode=cap

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good info, I hope your treatment continues to go well