Cyproheptadine shows therapeutic potential in individuals with poor appetite

Cyproheptadine appears to be a safe and effective appetite stimulant in adults with poor appetite, according to a study from South Korea.

A total of 375 individuals with poor appetite were randomized to receive either cyproheptadine at the lowest dosage (n=189) or placebo (n=186) for 8 weeks. Change in appetite, the primary outcome, was assessed using the Korean version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System from the beginning to the end of the study period.

Following treatment, participants in the cyproheptadine group exhibited a mean change in appetite score of –2.42 as opposed to –2.03 among those in the placebo arm. This difference in appetite gain was statistically significant (difference, 0.38, 95 percent confidence interval, –0.73 to –0.04; p=0.0307).

Accordingly, patients in the cyproheptadine group achieved substantial increases in weight and body mass index.

Cyproheptadine was well tolerated. Somnolence was the most common adverse event, as predicted.  One patient developed a serious adverse event, colitis, which was deemed as a moderate adverse effect unlikely to be associated with the study drug.

The present data provide important information for the use of cyproheptadine to improve poor appetite in adults. Additional randomized trials that focus on the effect of cyproheptadine in older populations are warranted.

An antihistamine and antiserotonergic agent, cyproheptadine is an appetite stimulant shown to be efficacious in promoting weight gain in children and adults with poor appetite.