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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Increased Appetite?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Question: What causes a sudden increased appetite?? I finished Tamiflu last night (had a 5 day treatment-2 pills twice daily). Noticed I was starving while on Tamiflu and I still am a day later, along with weakness and fatigue. What can I do or eat to stop feeling so hungry? Also, is this a normal side effect? How long will it last?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Stopping tamiflu reflexly increases your appetite

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for your query.

Tamiflu is known to cause lack of appetite and that explains the reason for starvation when on therapy.Post therapy your appetite has increased due to two reasons-
a. Rebound phenomenon since you have been starving for 5 days
b. Stopping tamiflu improved your appetite.

This is also seen during the recovery phase from an acute viral infection which might not apply in your case if you were prescribed Tamiflu for prophylaxis.

Increased appetite post Tamiflu have been reported and I have personally had few such cases.However your appetite restores back to normal within a week's time.Nothing to panic.

Weakness and fatigue are side effects of this drug and are also due to lack of appetite.

Get well soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Praveen (46 hours later)
Thank you for your response. I had the flu exactly a week ago, and still feeling weak, specifically my legs. I also feel a little nauseous. Is it normal to still feel weak after the flu a week ago?

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Recovery from viral infection takes 2-3 weeks which is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for writing me back.

Weakness and other symptoms are due to the viral infection per se and drug therapy.If you observe a declining trend in these symptoms it means that you are recovering(in convalescence phase) which normal takes 2-3 weeks in case of viral infection.

In case the symptoms are increasing day by day then I would reexamine for underlying cause(persistence of infection etc).

Drink plenty of fluids.Have easily digestible and instant energy food such as the one's with high carbohydrate.Avoid fatty substances.Fresh fruits(lime, oranges, strawberries), honey combat fatigue.

Do not work for long hours.Take adequate rest.You shall get well soon.

All the best.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Praveen

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1055 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Increased Appetite?

Brief Answer: Stopping tamiflu reflexly increases your appetite Detailed Answer: Hi dear.Thanks for your query. Tamiflu is known to cause lack of appetite and that explains the reason for starvation when on therapy.Post therapy your appetite has increased due to two reasons- a. Rebound phenomenon since you have been starving for 5 days b. Stopping tamiflu improved your appetite. This is also seen during the recovery phase from an acute viral infection which might not apply in your case if you were prescribed Tamiflu for prophylaxis. Increased appetite post Tamiflu have been reported and I have personally had few such cases.However your appetite restores back to normal within a week's time.Nothing to panic. Weakness and fatigue are side effects of this drug and are also due to lack of appetite. Get well soon.