Abstract

Cyproheptadine (Periactin - MSD) is an antihistamine which has long been available but is now being promoted mainly as the ‘first clinically proved appetite stimulant’. Increased appetite and weight gain were first noticed incidentally during an evaluation of its effect in childhood asthma,¹ and well controlled studies have confirmed this observation.^1–5 The drug is not particularly useful in asthma or other allergic disorders,¹ but it may help in migraine,⁶ perhaps because of its anti-serotonin activity.