Gaining weight might be challenging for some individuals.
Despite making an effort to consume more calories, they are unable to accomplish their objectives due to a lack of appetite.
Some people use weight gainers like Apetamin. It is a widely used vitamin syrup that advertises that it will increase your appetite and help you gain weight.
It is tough to get in the United States since it isn't offered in health shops or on reliable websites. You may ask whether it's safe and lawful in light of this.
What is Apetamin
A vitamin syrup called Apetamin is advertised as a weight-gain aid. It was created by the Indian pharmaceutical firm TIL Healthcare PVT.
One teaspoon (5 ml) of Apetamin syrup comprises the following ingredients, per manufacturer labels:
- 2 mg of cyproheptadine hydrochloride
- 150 mg of L-lysine hydrochloride
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6): 1 mg
- Hydrochloride of thiamine (vitamin B1): 2 mg
- 15 mg of nicotinamide (vitamin B3)
- Dexpanthenol: 4.5 mg (a different kind of vitamin B5)
Lysine, vitamins, and cyproheptadine are said to work together to promote weight gain, although only the final one has been linked to a possible increase in hunger.
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride, on the other hand, is mostly used as an antihistamine, a kind of medication that reduces allergy symptoms including runny nose, itching, hives, and watery eyes by obstructing histamine, a chemical your body produces when it experiences an allergic response.
Both syrup and tablet versions of Apetamin are offered. While the pills only contain cyproheptadine hydrochloride, the syrup often also includes vitamins and lysine.
Due to safety and efficacy concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorised the supplement, and selling it in the United States and many other nations is prohibited.
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How does it function?
Because Apetamin includes cyproheptadine hydrochloride, a potent antihistamine whose adverse effects include increased hunger, it may lead to weight gain.
Though the exact mechanism is unknown, there are a number of ideas.
First, in children who are underweight, cyproheptadine hydrochloride seems to raise levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a hormone that has been connected to weight growth.
Additionally, it seems to have an impact on the hypothalamus, a little region of the brain that controls several biological processes including hormones, hunger, and food intake.
More research is still required to fully comprehend how cyproheptadine hydrochloride could enhance hunger and cause weight gain.
The amino acid l-lysine, which has been linked to an increase in hunger in animal studies, is also included in Apetamin syrup. However, human studies are required.
Does it work to make you gain weight?
Although there is little study on Apetamin and weight gain, multiple studies have revealed that its active component, cyproheptadine hydrochloride, may help patients gain weight who have lost their appetite and are at risk of malnutrition.
In addition, a 12-week trial of 16 children and teenagers with cystic fibrosis a hereditary condition that may cause appetite loss found that daily use of cyproheptadine hydrochloride increased weight significantly in comparison to a placebo.
An analysis of 46 research involving subjects with various illnesses found that the drug was well tolerated and promoted weight gain in underweight patients.
Cyproheptadine may help those who are in danger of malnutrition, but it may cause overeating in overweight or healthy-weight individuals.
A study of 499 adults from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for instance, found that 73% of the participants misused the drug cyproheptadine and were at risk for obesity.
In conclusion, although cyproheptadine hydrochloride may aid in the weight growth of those who are underweight, it may also increase the risk of obesity, a serious condition that affects individuals all over the globe.
Is Apetamin permitted?
Many nations, including the USA, prohibit the sale of Apetamin.
This is owing to the fact that it includes cyproheptadine hydrochloride, an antihistamine that can only be obtained in the US with a prescription due to safety issues.
Abusing this drug may have catastrophic consequences, including liver failure and death.
Additionally, the FDA does not approve of or regulate Apetamin, therefore the products may not really contain what is claimed on the label.
Due to safety and efficacy concerns, the FDA has issued seizure notices and cautions on importing Apetamin and other vitamin syrups containing cyproheptadine.
Apetamin may have a few adverse effects.
Apetamin is not sold in respectable retailers in the United States because of the many safety issues and international legal issues it raises.
Nevertheless, individuals are able to get Apetamin that has been illegally imported via specialised websites, online classifieds, and social media platforms.
Its inclusion of the prescription-only drug cyproheptadine hydrochloride, which has been connected to a number of negative effects, including:
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- tremors
- irritability
- fuzzy vision
- diarrhoea and sickness
- liver failure and toxicity
Additionally, it may interact with grapefruit juice, alcohol, and a variety of medicines, including antidepressants, Parkinson's disease treatments, and other antihistamines.
Apetamin is not regulated by the FDA since it is illegally brought into the country. As a result, it can have different kinds or quantities of components than those specified on the label.
You should refrain from attempting this supplement due to its unlawful status in the US and other countries, as well as its negative consequences.
If you have problems gaining weight or a medical issue that makes you less hungry, instead go to your healthcare professional to find the safest and most efficient treatment choice.
Conclusion
Apetamin is a vitamin syrup that promotes weight growth, it is said. It includes the prescription-only antihistamine cyproheptadine hydrochloride, which has the potential to enhance appetite.
Selling Apetamin is prohibited both domestically and abroad. Additionally, the FDA has issued seizure notices and import warnings but does not control them.
Instead of depending on illicit supplements, talk to a dietician and your healthcare practitioner to establish a safe and effective strategy suited to your requirements if you want to gain weight.