Do you know if Periactin (cyproheptadine) is made for fattening? Is it dangerous and are there possible consequences years later?

23-year-old woman3 years ago
Nothing abnormal, I just want to gain weight and I can't.
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a day

Alexandre Chagnon · 3 years ago
Hello ma'am,
Periactin (or cyproheptadine) is a first-generation antihistamine with appetite-stimulating properties. Ultimately, because of this property, patients eat more often or larger meals and may gain weight.
Enhanced appetite is an official and recognized indication by Health Canada at the following dosage: 1 tablet (4 mg) 3 times daily before each meal. Although this medication does not require a physician's prescription, it is located behind the counter at the pharmacy, should be placed in your pharmacy record, and will be served to you following the pharmacist's assessment. This medication is not found on over-the-counter shelves like Tylenol or Advil, among other things because Periactin can interact with many frequently prescribed medications for depression and anxiety, for example (e.g. Citalopram/Celexa, escitalopram/Cipralex, venlafaxine/Effexor XR, etc.). So, to get it for you, your neighborhood pharmacist will assess whether or not there are any interactions in your file, based on the medications you are taking (if any), before serving it to you. In addition, this medication may be best avoided if you have certain medical conditions (e.g., glaucoma), hence the importance of the pharmacist's assessment.
As for "dangerousness", due to its also anticholinergic properties, it is associated with side effects that can be quite bothersome:
  • Somnolence (most common side effect)--> avoid consuming alcohol or other medications with this kind of side effect while taking Periactin;
  • Dry mouth and/or eyes;
  • Dizziness;
  • Agitation/nervousness;
  • Abdominal pain, nausea.
Also, the use of Periactin to increase appetite should not exceed 6 months according to the product monograph. Thus, it is not a drug to be taken long-term for this indication. However, it does not appear to have any possible long-term consequences years after temporary use.
I hope this information helps you to see more clearly. In my opinion, the best way to "gain weight" is to eat varied, healthy and hungry.The help of a nutritionist would be relevant in your case to establish a suitable nutritional plan: the website of their professional order allows you to find a nutritionist near you. However, if hunger is really what's holding you back as far as weight gain is concerned, Periactin could be a temporary option, if you don't have any contraindications to receiving it (see details mentioned above).
Don't hesitate to contact us again with any other questions! 😊
Marc-Antoine Dufresne, pharmacy intern (Pharm.D), supervised by Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist.
23-year-old woman · 3 years ago
Hello,
First of all a big thank you for your very detailed answer which helped me to see more clearly.
I have already been to a nutritionist and changed my diet but I'm not getting so fat. I think I need to eat even more and therefore have a bigger appetite.
However, I think that in periactin there are side effects that attack the brain, do you know them? Are they dangerous?
I would really like to gain weight but want to be sure of the risks involved.
Thanks.
Alexandre Chagnon · 3 years ago
Hello!
I'm glad to read that my information is helping you see things more clearly, and also that you've already seen a nutritionist. 😊
For the "brain-attacking" side effects, actually, these relate to the ones I mentioned to you above (drowsiness, dizziness, restlessness/nervousness, etc). In fact, these side effects are related to the binding of the drug to various locations in the brain, but these are completely reversible upon discontinuation of the drug.
However, it is true that some more serious brain side effects have been seen (seizures, delirium, loss of consciousness), but this was in overdose (so far above the recommended dose to stimulate appetite). So if you follow the prescribed dosage, these side effects should not happen to you.
I hope this makes you feel more secure and answers your question! ☺️
Marc-Antoine Dufresne, pharmacy intern (Pharm.D), supervised by Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist.
23-year-old woman · 3 years ago
Great! Thank you so much, now I understand better.
So I'm going to give it a try and do a "cure" of it for a month or two.
Great thanks again for your answers and have a great day.
Well done!

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