Orexigenic drugs, which include corticosteroids and many antipsychotics, have what effect?

• A. Stimulate appetite
• B. Improve metabolism and built
• C. Enhance taste
• D. Disturb hearing function

Answer: (A)

Orexigenic effects involve stimulating appetite. Corticosteroids like prednisone can increase hunger by acting on hypothalamic pathways that regulate appetite, often leading to weight gain. Many antipsychotics contribute to this effect through mechanisms such as antagonism of histamine H1 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2C receptors, which reduces the brain’s restraint on feeding and can alter metabolism. Because of these actions, these drugs typically cause increased food intake and weight gain rather than improving metabolism, enhancing taste, or affecting hearing.