Can apetamin make you slim-thick?

What is apetamin?

Apetamin is a nonprescription medication manufactured overseas and sold online and on social media in the United States. Apetamin’s reported benefits include weight gain and the ability to have a “slim-thick” or hourglass-shaped physical appearance without having surgery, but there is limited evidence supporting its use for this purpose in humans. 

What are the ingredients in apetamin?

Apetamin contains the prescription medication cyproheptadine, the amino acid lysine, and vitamins such as thiamine (vitamin B1) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6). Cyproheptadine is a prescription antihistamine drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild allergic reactions and other allergy-related disorders. It is also used for appetite stimulation, prevention of migraine headaches, and treatment of a potentially life-threatening medical condition called serotonin syndrome. Lysine is an amino acid used by the human body to make protein. Although vitamins are not the main ingredient in apetamin, the product is often advertised as a “vitamin syrup” or “vitamin supplement”.

Does apetamin help you gain weight?

Side effects of cyproheptadine, the main ingredient in apetamin, include appetite stimulation and weight gain. Due to this, cyproheptadine has been used to treat patients with severe malnutrition and anorexia. Because of the expected weight gain, cyproheptadine is also misused by people who desire to obtain an hourglass-shaped or rounded physical appearance. In one study, women were eleven times more likely than men to misuse cyproheptadine for this purpose. Unfortunately, the optimal dose and duration of use of cyproheptadine for weight gain has not been rigorously studied. People who misuse cyproheptadine for weight gain may consume excessive amounts, which increases the risk of unwanted side effects.

What are the side effects of apetamin?

Drowsiness is one of the most common side effects of cyproheptadine, the main ingredient of apetamin. The drowsiness is dose-related, with more severe symptoms occurring at higher doses. Cyproheptadine use can also cause heart palpitations, urinary retention, blurry vision, constipation, and dry mouth. Confusion, seizures, and even death can occur in individuals who consume large amounts. Cyproheptadine may cause liver damage and liver failure. In one report, a 40-year-old woman developed fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice after taking apetamin for purposes of cosmetic enhancement. She was hospitalized and diagnosed with drug-induced liver injury and required long-term treatment with prescription corticosteroid and immune suppressant drugs.

Does apetamin cause miscarriage?

It is not known whether apetamin increases the risk of miscarriage. The prescription ingredient in apetamin, cyproheptadine, is not associated with significant fetal harm when administered to pregnant humans, rabbits, and other animals. 

Is apetamin FDA-approved?

Apetamin is not approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter medication. One of the main ingredients in apetamin, cyproheptadine, is FDA-approved as a prescription drug in the United States. However, the safety, effectiveness, and dosing of over-the-counter apetamin have not been rigorously studied. Because it is not approved or regulated by the FDA, apetamin may contain undeclared ingredients or other unwanted contaminants that may cause serious health complications.

Is apetamin illegal?

Because apetamin contains the prescription drug cyproheptadine, it is illegal for the drug to be sold in the United States in non-prescription form. Despite this, apetamin is sometimes illicitly imported into the United States and marketed over social media for weight gain. 

What should I do if I get sick after using apetamin?

If you develop unexplained or unexpected symptoms after taking apetamin, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist

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Suggested page citation (APA):
Johnson-Arbor, K. (n.d.). Can apetamin make you slim-thick?. Poison Control. https://www.poison.org/articles/apetamin