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For some people, putting on weight can be a challenge due to a lack of appetite or other reasons.
Apetamin is a vitamin syrup that claims to help with quick weight gain by increasing appetite. Made by the Indian pharmaceutical company TIL Healthcare PVT, Apetamin is not available in health stores or on reputable websites, leaving many to wonder whether it is safe or legal.
Learn about Apetamin uses, legal concerns, and side effects.
What is Apetamin?
Apetamin is an appetite-stimulating supplement that is primarily used to help people gain weight.
Apetamin syrup contains a combination of lysine (an amino acid), vitamins, and cyproheptadine hydrochloride. It is available in both pill and liquid forms. The primary difference between the two is that Apetamin syrup contains a blend of vitamins and amino acids, whereas tablets or caplets only contain cyproheptadine hydrochloride.
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride, the active ingredient, is an antihistamine (a medicine that alleviates allergy symptoms) and a hepatotoxin that has several effects on the body, including:
- Increasing appetite
- Slowing down metabolism
- Inducing fatigue and drowsiness
Ingredient | Dose |
---|---|
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride | 2 mg |
L-lysine | 150 mg |
Dexpanthenol | 4.5 mg |
Nicotinamide | 15 mg |
Thiamine | 2 mg |
Pyridoxine | 1 mg |
How does Apetamin work?
Cyproheptadine, the active ingredient in Apetamin, is a first-generation antihistamine drug whose primary side effects include increased appetite and weight gain.
The exact mechanism of cyproheptadine hydrochloride in aiding weight gain is unclear, although speculative theories claim that it may work by:
- Blocking the serotonin receptors at the appetite center of the hypothalamus (a part of the brain), thus stimulating appetite
- Increasing the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, a type of hormone linked to weight gain
- Presence of L-lysine, an amino acid that has been linked to increased appetite in animal studies
Cyproheptadine is approved by the FDA to help treat the following conditions:
- Seasonal allergies
- Non-allergic runny nose
- Allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva due to inhalation of allergens
- Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin reactions
- Hives, itching
- Anaphylactic reactions
- Allergic reactions caused by blood or plasma transfusion
Is Apetamin legal?
Apetamin has not been approved by the U.S. FDA or the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Because it is illegal to sell Apetamin in most countries, including the U.S., it is often purchased from potentially unsafe websites on the internet and social media outlets.
Apetamin contains the prescription drug cyproheptadine, and manufacturers can include ingredients not found on the product label or add them in inappropriate doses. Therefore, it is illegal for a person to use it without a doctor’s prescription.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/amazing_vitamin_d_s1_wonder_vitamin.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowWhat are the potential side effects of Apetamin?
Misusing Apetamin may lead to negative side effects that include:
- Low blood pressure
- Anemia
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Liver failure
- Coma
In addition, Apetamin can interact with alcohol, grapefruit juice, and certain drugs such as antidepressants, medications for Parkinson’s disease, and other antihistamines.
Considering its illegal status, you should always speak with a health care provider or dietitian before trying this supplement.
Who should avoid taking Apetamin?
Apetamin is contraindicated in people with the following conditions:
- Hypersensitivity
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Bladder neck obstruction
- Currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors
What are other appetite stimulants besides Apetamin?
Other doctor-recommended appetite stimulants for people with low body weight include:
- Corticosteroids
- Synthetic progesterone
- Cannabinoids
- Mirtazapine
- Olanzapine
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Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Use of cyproheptadine to stimulate appetite and body weight gain: A systematic review NIH: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30825493/
Apetamin Hepatotoxicity: Potential Consequences of Purchasing a Body Enhancement Drug Off the Internet. NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7535765/
CYPROHEPTADINE HYDROCHLORIDE syrup. NIH: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e2bf4d46-6585-41d9-868c-98603b165d5b
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