Anorexia

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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Anorexia is an eating disorder that can lead to severe weight loss and an intense fear of weight gain. Anorexia may cause you to stop eating or to eat fewer calories than your body needs. The weight loss is not related to another medical condition. Anorexia is also called anorexia nervosa.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US):

• You want to harm or kill yourself.
• You have pain when you swallow, or severe pain in your chest or abdomen.
• Your heart is beating fast or fluttering, or you feel dizzy or faint.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your muscles feel weak, and you have pain and stiffness.

Call your doctor if:

• You have tingling in your hands or feet.
• Your monthly period is light or has stopped completely (females).
• You are planning to get pregnant and need to develop a safe eating plan.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• cyproheptadine
• Marinol
• Syndros
• megestrol
• dronabinol

View more treatment options

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Depression medicine called SSRIs are usually used to treat anorexia. You may need this medicine even if you are not depressed. An SSRI gives your brain more of a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin may help you focus on other things and think less about weight and food.
• Seizure medicine may help control your mood swings and decrease aggression or irritability.
• Nausea medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
• Vitamin or mineral supplements may be needed if your nutrient levels are low because of anorexia.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Therapy:

After you leave the hospital, it is important that you continue with therapy to help control anorexia:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to help you learn the reasons you are unhappy with your body. A therapist will work with you to change your behaviors and decrease your negative feelings about food and your weight.
• Group or family therapy is a meeting you have with other people who also have anorexia. Family therapy is a meeting you have with healthcare providers and your family members. Group and family meetings are a time when you talk with others about ways to cope with anorexia.
• Nutritional therapy means healthcare providers will help you create a plan to reach a healthy weight for your height. The plan includes appropriate exercise and nutrition. You may also need extra fluids if you are dehydrated.

How to care for yourself:

• Be patient. Recovery from anorexia is a process that takes time. You may have times when you go back to not eating, or eating few calories, especially during stressful times. This is common. Work with family members and healthcare providers to get back on track with healthy eating and healthy exercise. Try not to be angry with yourself for the episode. It might help to talk about your feelings with someone you trust.
• Focus on a healthy self-esteem. Think about everything you like about yourself. For example, you may be a talented artist, or you may write well. Focus on those skills or talents instead of on appearance. Ask others not to comment on your weight or shape. Your healthcare provider can tell you healthy weight ranges for your age and height. It may take time before you are comfortable knowing your weight or seeing your weight as healthy. Remember your goals to build a healthy self-esteem. Be patient with yourself as you change your thinking.

Follow up with your doctor or therapist as directed:

You may need blood tests when you start taking medicine for anorexia. These tests are used to check how much medicine is in your blood. Your doctor will use the results of these tests to find the right amount of medicine for you. You may need to have these blood tests more than 1 time. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

For support and more information:

• National Eating Disorders Association
  165 West 46th Street
  New York , NY 10036
  Phone: 1- 212 - 575-6200
  Phone: 1- 800 - 931-2237
  Web Address: http://www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6200, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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