Apetamin Hepatotoxicity: Potential Consequences of Purchasing a Body Enhancement Drug Off the Internet. uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • We report Apetamin (cyproheptadine lysine and vitamin syrup), a non-US Food and Drug Administration-approved weight gain supplement, causing drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis. A 40-year-old previously healthy woman presented with fatigue, right-sided abdominal discomfort, and jaundice 6 weeks after starting Apetamin, which she learned from social media for figure augmentation. Labs were significant for elevated transaminases, positive smooth muscle antibody, and increased immunoglobulins. Biopsy indicated drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis. Symptoms improved with prednisone, azathioprine, and stopping Apetamin which contains cyproheptadine, a known hepatotoxin. The case reveals the influence of social media and its impact on health and the importance of a complete drug history.

publication date

  • June 23, 2020

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC7535765

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.14309/crj.0000000000000398

PubMed ID

  • 33062775

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 7

issue

  • 6