According to a study, cyproheptadine causes hunger in adults who have a low appetite.
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A total of 375 patients with a weak appetite, ranging
in age from 19 to 64, were randomized to receive either cyproheptadine (n=189)
or placebo (n=186) for an 8-week period. From the beginning until the
completion of the trial period, the primary efficacy outcome of a change in
appetite was monitored using the Korean version of the Edmonton Symptom
Assessment System.
Weight, anthropometrics, body composition, Simplified
Nutritional Hunger Questionnaire–measured appetite, and toxicities were also
studied.
At week 8, the cyproheptadine group had a higher mean
change in appetite score (–2.42 vs –2.03, respectively), indicating a
statistically significant appetite gain with the study treatment (difference,
0.38, 95 percent confidence interval, –0.73 to –0.04; p=0.0307).
As a result, cyproheptadine-treated individuals gained
significant weight and had a higher BMI.
Cyproheptadine was well tolerated in terms of safety.
As expected, somnolence was the most common adverse event. One patient in the
active therapy group developed colitis, which was classed as a moderate side
event that was unlikely to be caused by cyproheptadine.
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine and
antiserotonergic medication used to increase hunger and encourage weight gain
in both children and adults. The findings show that cyproheptadine is a safe
therapeutic choice for people with a lack of appetite.
More research is needed to determine the efficacy of
cyproheptadine in elderly people.
Source: Clin Ther 2021;43:1757-1772