As of July 10, it will no longer be possible to obtain cyproheptadine without a prescription.
- As of July 10, Periactin will only be available by prescription.
- This medicine is indicated for the treatment of various allergic manifestations such as allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis or urticaria.
- But its use is diverted to gain weight.
After having raised the alarm, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) is taking action. In a recent communicatedthe health authority indicates that cyproheptadine, an antihistamine sold under the name Periactine, will only be available on prescription from July 10.
Cyproheptadine: the use of the diverted drug
In its normal use, Periactin is indicated for the treatment of various allergic manifestations such as allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis or urticaria, depending on the Vidal.
“However, this orexigenic drug (which increases appetite) is also diverted for weight gain for aesthetic purposes, indicates the ANSM. Despite the information measures put in place since 2022, these misuses persist, as do the risks associated with them. The change in the conditions of prescription and dispensing aims to limit this misuse.”
On social networks, the fashion was launched by the influencer Kenza Dollespecially to increase the volume of the buttocks. As recalled FranceInfoshe spoke of the medicine in these terms: “That’s three kilos minimum gained for you, in less than a month. (…) The goal is to draw a marked waist to create the illusion of an hourglass silhouette similar to that of the famous Kim Kardashian.“
A promotion that could have very harmful effects. Indeed, as as the ANSM already indicated in 2022“This use may promote the appearance of undesirable effects such as drowsiness, decreased alertness, urinary retention, constipation, heart palpitations or mydriasis.”
Cyproheptadine: a prescription to obtain the drug
Faced with this phenomenon and the risks associated with it, the ANSM has therefore decided to ban the over-the-counter sale of Periactin in pharmacies. From July 10, patients will therefore need to have a prescription to obtain the medication.
A decision taken to promote the proper use of medicines and prevent their diversion. A fight that the ANSM is also leading with other medicines such as Ozempic.
In a communicatedthe ANSM recalls that “the use of the drug Ozempic (semaglutide) [devait] be reserved for the treatment of insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.”
The authority indicates that it wants to strengthen surveillance to “ensure that the prescriptions comply with this framework of use” because “Field reports indicate that it is being misused by non-diabetic people for the purpose of weight loss.”
