Fashions come and go, and beauty standards now last as long as a summer song takes to get out of date. Some, like that Flaca by Pau Donés that got into all of our heads in 1996, last a little longer. But it is clear that we have lived for a long time established in the Kardashian era, at least in terms of silhouettes. It has rained since sisters Kim and Khloé made their buttocks a million-dollar mark, but thousands of women followed in their wake and cosmetic surgery offices were filled with requests for glutoplasty and Brazilian butt lift (the famous Brazilian butt lift (BBL). ). And, although it is true that even the most famous Californians last year receded and reduced their buttocks, the obsession with showing off a more voluminous rear guard continues to be palpable both on Tik Tok or Instagram and in gyms around the world where exercises focused on the buttocks They are also trending topics.
But as in everything related to beauty and aesthetics, there are many people who prefer to take shortcuts, generally guided by viewing videos of not very recommendable influencers. One of the latest to become a trend is the use of Periactin®, whose active ingredient is cyproheptadine, an antihistamine that has weight gain among some of its best-known side effects – especially when associated with the intake of vitamins B12 or B1–, which is why some women classified as ‘skinnys’ use it after the promise made popular by the networks to increase the size of their curves.
This was warned a few days ago by the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, which warned of the increase in France (via African countries) in the misuse of cyproheptadine as an orexigenic (a substance that increases appetite) for the purpose of gaining weight for cosmetic purposes. A year ago, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products did the same, which, in addition to emphasizing its adverse effects, appealed to physicians and pharmacists: “when dispensing this medicine, it is recommended to remind patients the risks associated with its use, as well as its approved indication, for which the risk/benefit ratio has been assessed”.
And it is that, the orexigenic properties are not the only ones that accompany this drug that is available in online pharmacies for 8 euros. The list is long: sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, coordination disorder, confusion, nervousness, tremor, irritability, seizures, hallucinations, edema, excessive sweating, urticaria, photosensitivity, blurred vision, vertigo, tinnitus, hypotension, palpitations, constipation, nausea , urinary retention, early menstruation, fatigue, chills or headache, are some of those listed in the Vademecum or in its data sheet. Therefore, although it may seem obvious, the use of cyproheptadine to enhance the buttocks is not recommended, as it can be dangerous and have serious side effects.
What is cyproheptadine and what is it used for?
Cyproheptadine is a medication that belongs to the class of antihistamines. It is mainly used to treat allergy symptoms such as rhinitis, itching, redness, sneezing and runny nose. Among its indications are also the relief of the symptoms of urticaria (hives) and atopic dermatitis, or allergic conjunctivitis.
For those using it for spring purposes, it is important to note that cyproheptadine only relieves the symptoms of allergies, but does not cure the underlying cause, so a doctor should always be consulted before using cyproheptadine or any other medication. But even more so if, as in the case at hand, it is bought and taken with the dubious purpose of trying to benefit from one of its dangerous side effects.
He Dr. Laurent Chouchana, responsible for pharmacovigilance of this molecule and member of the SFPT, recalled in statements to AFP that “until 1994, the drug was indicated” for appetite stimulation in patients with decreased appetite accompanied by weight loss “, indication withdrawn due, says the expert, to a poorly evaluated benefit/risk balance. And it is that, as Dr. Chouchana recalls, “molecules that act on weight are particularly monitored for their possible misuse, as is the case with the antidiabetic Ozempic, used for slimming purposes.”
Therefore, taking cyproheptadine is not without consequences: it causes “most of the time drowsiness”, but also sometimes seizures, hallucinations and “more serious effects such as liver, blood, heart problems, especially if there is an overdose, as is the case based on the doses suggested in the videos on the Internet”, settles Dr. Chouchana.
In the opinion of the SFPT, “cyproheptadine no longer has a place in the therapeutic strategy as an antihistamine and, due to its misuse, exposes it to numerous adverse effects (neurological, psychiatric, cardiac, hematological or digestive)”. Therefore, “the SFPT considers that the risk-benefit ratio of cyproheptadine should be reassessed in order to withdraw its marketing authorization or at least its inclusion on a mandatory prescription list.” We will be attentive to what the Spanish health authorities think about it.
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