The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products has announced that it is changing the conditions for prescribing this drug in order to “prevent its misuse for weight gain for aesthetic purposes”.
After Ozempic, an anti-diabetic prized for its weight-loss properties, here is Periactin. For some time now, dozens of young women have been misusing this antihistamine. Their goal: to gain weight, and especially buttocks. Because Periactin, whose original name is cyproheptadine, is also known to stimulate the appetite.
The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) was already concerned about this trend in 2022. Two years later, the ANSM took a radical decision to stop the phenomenon. From July 10, 2024, Periactin will be available only by prescription.
An antihistamine that causes weight gain
This medication is indicated to combat allergic symptoms, caused in particular by rhinitis, conjunctivitis or hives. But at the time of its marketing, in the 1970s, it was also prescribed to promote weight gain. This indication was removed in 1994, recalls the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
However, it persisted, particularly on the African continent, before arriving in France. On social networks, young women in search of Kim Kardashian’s “hourglass figure” extol the merits of Periactin, filming boxes of the drug next to fatty sandwiches.
We have had reports of serious adverse reactions, seizures, agitation, or tachycardia.
Isabelle Yodjian, medical director of ANSM
These are mainly looking to enlarge the buttocks and breasts. But, as Isabelle Yodjian, the medical director of the Medicines Safety Agency, pointed out to France Info: “This weight gain is not always localized in the desired areas.”
Significant side effects
Above all, diverting Periactin from its use can cause serious side effects. Decreased alertness, drowsiness, constipation, vision problems, palpitations… These can become dangerous. “We have had reports of serious adverse reactions, seizures, agitation, or tachycardia. These effects are not trivial”, said Isabelle Yodjian.
It’s a drug that is really bad for the liver, it destroys it.
Camilia’s testimony
Health professionals are not the only ones sounding the alarm. On social media, some influencers are warning their community.
This is the case of this young woman, who warned of the risks linked to the misuse of Periactin, already a year ago: “Me girls, I took 5/6 per day, I found myself too thin and I absolutely wanted to gain weight. In the space of a month I gained almost 10 kilos. But this medicine will make you sleep all the time. You will feel dizzy and nauseated. It’s a drug that is extremely bad for the liver, it destroys it. »
It remains to be hoped that the need for a prescription to obtain Periactin will be enough to stem this other drug misuse.
