Key takeaway: Reduced appetite is one of the most common effects of Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), and it is usually predictable: hunger tends to be lowest while the medicine is active and returns as it wears off. Because the pattern follows the clock, the best strategy is to plan meals by the clock rather than waiting to feel hungry. A solid meal before the first dose, planned eating windows during the day, an after-effects “second appetite” dinner and a light evening snack can protect nutrition, energy and, for children, growth.
Many people discover this the hard way: it is mid-afternoon, they have skipped breakfast and lunch without noticing, and suddenly they are shaky, irritable and unable to focus. Others, particularly parents, worry that a child who used to love dinner now pushes food around the plate. This guide is built for those situations. It treats appetite changes as a scheduling problem you can solve, with a timeline, food ideas, sample days and a checklist of what to monitor with your prescriber.
This article is general educational information. Dexedrine is a controlled prescription medicine. Never change your dose or schedule without your prescriber, and speak to a clinician or dietitian for nutrition advice specific to you or your child.
Table of Contents
- Why Dexedrine suppresses appetite
- The appetite pattern across a typical day
- Five principles of eating around treatment
- A clock-based meal plan
- Food ideas that work when you are not hungry
- Three sample days
- Extra considerations for children and teens
- Extra considerations for adults
- Hydration, caffeine and dry mouth
- What to monitor and when to call your prescriber
- Options your prescriber may consider
- Frequently asked questions
Why Dexedrine Suppresses Appetite
Dexedrine is the brand name for dextroamphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It works by increasing the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals involved in attention, motivation and alertness. The same chemicals also help regulate hunger signals, so raising them can quiet the urge to eat.
Medical references describe decreased appetite as one of the most common effects of stimulants used for ADHD. One consumer health reference estimates that the large majority of people notice some appetite decrease, while a clinical notebook for primary care cites poor appetite in roughly four in ten patients. The exact numbers differ by source and by definition, but the message is the same: if your appetite has dropped, you are far from alone, and it is not a sign that you are doing something wrong.
Other things can add to the effect:
- Focus. When medicine helps you concentrate, you may become absorbed in a task and forget to eat.
- Nausea or stomach upset. Some people feel queasy early in treatment or after a dose increase.
- Dry mouth. A dry mouth makes eating less pleasant. Our article on Adderall and dry mouth describes the same effect in a related stimulant.
- Poor sleep. Tiredness can scramble hunger hormones and make you reach for sugar and caffeine instead of balanced meals.
The Appetite Pattern Across a Typical Day
Clinical guides observe that appetite is usually lowest during the daytime and tends to rise again in the evening as the medicine wears off. That insight is the key to planning meals.
Formulations differ in how long they last. Short-acting tablets typically cover a few hours and are often taken more than once a day, whereas extended-release capsules such as Dexedrine Spansule are designed to last longer. Your prescriber or pharmacist can tell you how your specific product behaves. If you are choosing between related medicines, our comparisons of Adderall versus Dexedrine and Adderall versus dextroamphetamine explain how they differ in formulation and duration, and our look at Adderall versus Vyvanse covers a longer-acting option that some families discuss with their prescriber.
To plan your meals, it is useful to think in four phases:
- Before the dose. Appetite is usually normal. This is your window for a substantial meal.
- Peak effect. Appetite is lowest. Eating may feel like a chore.
- Wearing off. Hunger returns, sometimes suddenly and strongly.
- Evening and bedtime. Appetite may be good, but eating very late or caffeinated drinks can disturb sleep.
Five Principles of Eating Around Treatment
1. Eat by the clock, not by hunger
If hunger cues are unreliable during the day, set reminders. Treat meals like appointments. A phone alarm, a family routine or a simple note on the fridge can do the work that appetite normally does.
2. Front-load calories and nutrients
Because the evening is when appetite returns, many families end up with an eating pattern that is heavy at night and light during the day. That is not ideal for steady energy. A good breakfast and a planned midday meal reduce the crash and the evening overeating.
3. Make small bites count
When you can only manage a little, choose foods that pack protein, healthy fats, fiber and micronutrients into a small volume. Nut butter, eggs, yogurt, cheese, avocado, beans, oats and smoothies fit this role.
4. Use liquids when solids are unappealing
Smoothies, milk, soups and shakes slide down more easily than a plate of dry food and can carry plenty of nutrition.
5. Keep an eye on the trend, not a single day
One poor appetite day is not a crisis. A downward trend in weight over weeks, or slowed growth in a child, is what your prescriber wants to hear about.
A Clock-Based Meal Plan
The times below are examples. Shift them to match your own dosing schedule, wake time and routine, and ask your prescriber how your specific formulation is timed.
| Time of day | Appetite phase | Goal | Ideas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake-up, before the first dose | Normal | A real breakfast | Eggs with toast and fruit; oatmeal made with milk and nut butter; yogurt with granola; a breakfast burrito |
| Mid-morning | Falling or low | A small, easy snack | Cheese and crackers; a banana with peanut butter; a handful of nuts; a milk-based drink |
| Lunch window | Often lowest | A planned, simple meal, even if small | A sandwich or wrap; soup with bread; pasta with olive oil and cheese; a smoothie plus a few bites of food |
| Afternoon | Low to returning | A bridge snack so you are not ravenous later | Hummus and vegetables; yogurt; trail mix; a protein bar you actually enjoy |
| Early evening | Often returns as medicine wears off | The biggest, most nutrient-dense meal | Protein, a starch or grain, vegetables and a healthy fat; take extra servings if hungry |
| Evening, a couple of hours before bed | Good | A light snack that will not disturb sleep | Milk with cereal; toast with nut butter; a small bowl of yogurt and fruit |
Why a breakfast before the dose matters
Medical education materials for stimulants commonly advise eating a solid breakfast before the first dose, because appetite is likely to be suppressed afterwards. A primary-care reference suggests a larger breakfast before the medicine takes effect and taking medication with food rather than skipping meals. A consumer guide for parents makes a related point: giving medication after meals, rather than before, may reduce the effect on appetite and weight gain. If your prescriber recommends a particular timing of dose relative to breakfast, follow that guidance, since the best approach can depend on the formulation.
The midday “minimum”
On days when a full lunch seems impossible, decide on a minimum, such as a drink with protein and a few bites of something solid. Having a minimum removes the daily negotiation and avoids all-or-nothing thinking.
Dinner as the main event
When appetite returns, take advantage of it. Offer a balanced plate, allow second helpings, and avoid turning the meal into a battle over vegetables. If the evening is when you are most hungry, it is an opportunity to catch up on nutrition, not something to feel guilty about.
Food Ideas That Work When You Are Not Hungry
High-nutrition, low-effort foods
- Smoothies. Blend milk or a milk alternative, yogurt, fruit, a spoonful of nut butter and oats or seeds.
- Eggs. Boiled, scrambled or in an omelet; a soft, easy source of protein.
- Nut and seed butters. Spread on toast, fruit or crackers, or stirred into oatmeal.
- Avocado. Mash on toast, add to a wrap or blend into a smoothie.
- Cheese and yogurt. Compact sources of protein and calcium.
- Hummus and bean dips. With pita, crackers or vegetable sticks.
- Soups and stews. Warm, moist and easy to eat; add beans, lentils, pasta or rice to increase calories and protein.
- Olive oil and butter. Add to cooked vegetables, pasta and grains to boost energy density without increasing volume.
Grab-and-go options
- Cheese sticks and whole-grain crackers
- Trail mix with nuts, seeds and dried fruit
- Single-serve yogurt or drinkable yogurt
- Peanut butter sandwiches cut into quarters
- Granola or protein bars you tolerate
- Hard-boiled eggs prepared in advance
Prep strategies that reduce the effort
- Batch cook on a weekend. Pre-portioned burritos, muffin-tin omelets, soup portions and pasta salads can be reheated quickly.
- Keep a “snack drawer.” A designated place for ready-to-eat items prevents the “there is nothing to eat” problem.
- Pack lunch and snacks the night before. Decisions are easier in the evening, when appetite is stronger.
- Serve small portions. A heaped plate can feel overwhelming when appetite is low; seconds are easy to add.
- Use favorite flavors. Appetite is strongly tied to enjoyment. Now is the time for food that you or your child genuinely likes.
When to use supplements
Some clinicians suggest high-calorie drinks, such as oral nutrition shakes, for patients with notable weight loss, as one of several options. Whether these are appropriate depends on the individual, so ask a clinician or dietitian before relying on them, especially for children.
Three Sample Days
These examples show how the principles can look in practice. They intentionally avoid calorie targets, because needs vary widely by age, body size and activity level, and a dietitian or prescriber can tailor them.
Sample day 1: A school-age child
- 7:00 a.m., before the dose: Scrambled eggs, buttered toast, sliced fruit and a glass of milk.
- 10:00 a.m.: A snack at school, such as cheese and crackers.
- 12:30 p.m.: A packed lunch with a sandwich, yogurt and a few vegetable sticks. If most of it comes home, that is information to share with the prescriber rather than a reason for conflict.
- 3:30 p.m.: After-school snack, such as a smoothie or peanut butter on apple slices.
- 6:00 p.m.: Dinner with extra options on the table and permission to have seconds.
- 8:00 p.m.: A light snack like cereal with milk.
Sample day 2: A college student
- 8:00 a.m.: Oatmeal with milk, nut butter and a banana, plus coffee in moderation.
- 11:00 a.m.: A protein shake or yogurt cup in the bag between classes.
- 1:30 p.m.: A wrap or sandwich from the dining hall, even if it is only half.
- 4:30 p.m.: Trail mix and fruit as a bridge.
- 7:00 p.m.: A full dinner with protein, grains and vegetables.
- 9:30 p.m.: Toast with peanut butter and a glass of milk.
Sample day 3: A working adult with a busy schedule
- 6:45 a.m.: Two eggs, whole-grain toast, avocado and fruit.
- 10:00 a.m.: A handful of nuts and a piece of fruit at the desk.
- 12:30 p.m.: A calendar alert for lunch. A soup with a roll, or leftovers from last night’s dinner.
- 3:30 p.m.: Cheese and crackers or hummus with vegetables.
- 6:30 p.m.: A generous, home-cooked dinner with protein and plenty of vegetables.
- 8:30 p.m.: A small bowl of yogurt and berries.
If you are weighing other medications for ADHD, you might also find it helpful to read about Adderall alternatives, where appetite effects are one of several factors people discuss with a prescriber.
Extra Considerations for Children and Teens
Growth is part of the conversation
Stimulant medicines can slow growth in some children, particularly in the first year of treatment, although many children appear to catch up later. A Canadian mental-health reference reports that dextroamphetamine can cause a temporary slowing of growth rate, with an average decrease of about 2 cm in height and 2.7 kg in weight after three years of continuous treatment, and some children may be affected more. It advises regular growth monitoring. Clinical guidance for primary care suggests tracking weight periodically, with intervals such as every few months in young children, and weekly or monthly checks at home can supplement visits.
Keep mealtimes positive
- Avoid pressuring, bribing or punishing around food. Pressure tends to reduce appetite further.
- Offer choices within healthy limits, such as “yogurt or cheese?”
- Involve children in choosing and preparing meals.
- Serve small portions and make seconds easy.
- Make the evening meal relaxed and family-focused.
Think about school days
Ask whether your child has time to eat at lunch, since many children rush to recess. Talk to teachers about allowing snacks, and consider whether lunchtime is aligned with the peak effect of the medication. Share your concerns with the prescriber, who may adjust timing.
Watch for body-image and eating concerns in teens
Teens may like the appetite-suppressing effect, particularly if they are preoccupied with weight. If you notice food restriction, avoiding meals on purpose, intense worry about weight or secretive eating habits, speak with your prescriber or a mental health professional promptly. Stimulant medication should never be used to lose weight, and your clinician needs to know about any history of disordered eating.
Extra Considerations for Adults
Beware of the “I forgot to eat” trap
Adults with ADHD often struggle with routine, and appetite suppression adds a second layer. Automating meals through delivery, meal-prep services, pre-portioned foods or a scheduled lunch with a colleague can remove the daily decision.
Watch your caffeine
Coffee and energy drinks can further reduce appetite, raise heart rate and worsen sleep. If you use caffeine, take it with food and keep it earlier in the day. For more about the interaction between stimulants and caffeine, read our guide to Adderall and caffeine, which covers a closely related stimulant.
Know your eating history
If you have ever struggled with restrictive eating, binge eating or an eating disorder, tell your prescriber before and during treatment. Appetite-suppressing medicines can complicate recovery, and extra monitoring may be warranted.
Alcohol and late-night eating
Alcohol can interfere with sleep and interact with stimulants. Heavy late-night eating after a day of restricted intake can also disturb rest, so aim to spread calories more evenly across the day.
Staying aware of timing in your system
If you are curious how long stimulant effects last, our article on how long Adderall stays in your system explains the general principles, although specific durations differ between products.
Hydration, Caffeine and Dry Mouth
Stimulants can make people forget to drink as well as eat, and dry mouth can make it worse.
- Keep water visible. A bottle on the desk or in the backpack serves as a cue.
- Eat foods with water in them. Fruit, soup and yogurt contribute fluid.
- Look after your teeth. Dry mouth can raise the risk of cavities. Xylitol gum, regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and routine dental visits help.
- Be careful with sugary drinks. Juice, soda and energy drinks add calories but can harm teeth, especially if sipped constantly.
What to Monitor and When to Call Your Prescriber
Simple tracking that helps
- Weight. Weigh at consistent intervals, for example weekly or monthly, at the same time of day and on the same scale. Children’s weights are best interpreted on a growth chart by a clinician.
- Height in children. Measured at appointments and, if desired, at home with a wall chart.
- Meals eaten. A brief log of what was eaten at each meal for one or two weeks gives your prescriber useful information.
- Sleep, mood and energy. These affect appetite and may hint at dosing issues.
- Heart rate and blood pressure. Usually checked by your prescriber; follow the monitoring schedule they recommend.
Reasons to call
Contact your prescriber if you notice:
- Ongoing weight loss, or in children, weight or height that is falling behind their usual pattern
- Skipping most meals for several days
- Dizziness, fainting, weakness or a racing or irregular heartbeat
- Persistent nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
- Significant mood changes, irritability or anxiety
- Severe insomnia
- Any concerning thoughts about food, weight or body image
Seek emergency help for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Options Your Prescriber May Consider
You should never adjust medication on your own, but it helps to know what the conversation may include. Clinical references note that persistent appetite problems can often be managed by adjusting the dose, changing the timing of doses, or trying a different type of stimulant. Primary-care guidance lists several approaches, including taking medicine with food, avoiding skipped meals, considering a larger breakfast, trying a lower dose or a shorter-acting formulation, and adding high-calorie snacks or supplements. Some resources also mention planned breaks from medication on weekends or holidays for certain children, though overall “drug holidays” are not recommended for everyone and should only be done under medical guidance.
Questions to bring to the appointment:
- “Is the timing of my dose right for my meals and school or work schedule?”
- “Would a different formulation or duration help with appetite?”
- “How often should we check weight, height and blood pressure?”
- “Should we see a dietitian?”
- “What would make you want to change the plan?”
For general ADHD information, the National Institute of Mental Health and the CDC’s ADHD pages are reliable starting points, and MyPlate.gov offers practical, age-based nutrition ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dexedrine always cause loss of appetite?
Not always, but decreased appetite is among the most common effects of ADHD stimulants. Severity varies from person to person and often changes over time.
Will my appetite come back?
Often, appetite improves in the evening as the medicine wears off, and some people notice that the effect lessens as they adjust to treatment. If it does not, talk to your prescriber.
Should I take Dexedrine with or without food?
Follow your prescriber’s instructions. Many guides advise eating a solid breakfast before the first dose or taking the medicine with or after food, but recommendations differ by product and individual.
What should I eat when I have no appetite on Dexedrine?
Focus on small, nutrient-dense foods and drinks: smoothies, eggs, nut butter, yogurt, cheese, avocado, soups and hummus. Plan eating times rather than waiting for hunger.
Can Dexedrine cause weight loss?
Yes, reduced appetite can lead to weight loss. Prescribers monitor weight, and in children they also monitor growth. It should not be used as a weight-loss aid.
Is it a problem if my child only eats dinner?
It is common, but one large meal a day is not ideal for steady nutrition. Add a solid breakfast, small planned snacks and an evening snack, and share patterns with the prescriber.
Can I use appetite stimulants or supplements?
Do not add supplements or other medicines without asking a clinician, especially for children. Dietitians and prescribers can recommend safe options.
Does caffeine make appetite loss worse?
It can. Caffeine is a stimulant, so combining it with Dexedrine may further suppress appetite and increase jitteriness. Keep it moderate and earlier in the day.
When should I worry?
Worry less about a single poor day and more about trends: continued weight loss, growth falling off in a child, dizziness, weakness, or distress about food or body image. Contact your prescriber in those situations.
The Bottom Line
Loss of appetite on Dexedrine is common, predictable and manageable. The medicine’s effect follows the clock, so your meals should too: eat well before the first dose, plan small, nutritious bites through the day, welcome the evening return of hunger with a balanced dinner, and keep an eye on the trend in weight and, for children, growth. Open conversations with your prescriber about timing, dose and formulation can solve problems that diet alone cannot.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIMH: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- CDC: ADHD
- Kelty Mental Health: Dextroamphetamine information sheet
- DailyMed: current dextroamphetamine labels
- MyPlate.gov
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare professional. Do not change your medication or diet plan without consulting your prescriber or a registered dietitian.
