Cyproheptadine is an older, 'first-generation' antihistamine — related to medicines like chlorpheniramine and promethazine — that is used to relieve allergies such as itching, hives, and a runny nose. In Nigeria, however, it is far better known for a side effect than for its allergy use: it increases appetite and can cause weight gain. For this reason it is sold everywhere as an 'appetite stimulant' or 'appetite syrup', often under brand names like Apitol, Sumo Active, and Apetifast, and frequently combined with lysine and B-vitamins.
In the NAFDAC register
28 registered products
from 21 registration holders
What it costs online
Our sampling found 2 listings (September 2026) — every one of them Super Apeti Plus, listed at ₦500–₦625. That is Super Apeti Plus's price, not the molecule's — one brand's price cannot honestly stand for a molecule the register lists under many, so no market-wide figure is shown — see the Super Apeti Plus page for what those listings cost.
Brands of Cyproheptadine in Nigeria
Comes as
- Tablet4 mg· 4 makers
Those 28 products from 21 registration holders include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
- Ratnamani Healthcare Pvt. Ltd (imported by GBGL Pharma Limited)2mg/5ml (with lysine + multivitamins) · Syrup · B4-8122
- Cyproheptadine 2mg + multivitamins (A, D, B1, B2, B12, nicotinamide, dexpanthenol) · Tablet · B4-1654
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Me Cure Industries Limited | 2mg/5ml | Syrup | A4-4942 |
| Me Cure Industries Limited | 4mg | Tablet | A4-3376 |
| Sumo Active Syrup | Ratnamani Healthcare Pvt. Ltd (imported by GBGL Pharma Limited) | 2mg/5ml (with lysine + multivitamins) | Syrup | B4-8122 |
| Avro Apetit Syrup | Avro Pharma Limited | 2mg/5ml (with B-vitamins) | Syrup | B4-4501 |
| Super Apeti Plus | Shalina Healthcare Nigeria Limited | Cyproheptadine 2mg + multivitamins (A, D, B1, B2, B12, nicotinamide, dexpanthenol) | Tablet | B4-1654 |
Cyproheptadine Price in Nigeria
Cyproheptadine prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
Every Cyproheptadine listing in our online-pharmacy sampling was one brand, so we quote no range for the molecule — its price is that brand's, on its own page.
Cyproheptadine price by brand
The only Cyproheptadine brand our sampling found, priced from its own listings.
- Super Apeti Plus price₦625· 1 listing
How to Verify Your Cyproheptadine is Genuine
- 1Buy cyproheptadine (or brands like Apitol, Sumo Active, Avro Apetit) from a licensed pharmacy
- 2Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app — for example Apitol Syrup is A4-4942 and Apitol Tablets A4-3376 (Me Cure)
- 3Note on Sumo Active (B4-8122): although it is sold widely, the NAFDAC Greenbook lists this registration as EXPIRED since November 2023 (approved 2018, not yet shown as renewed as of July 2026). Check its current status on the Greenbook before buying, especially in bulk
- 4Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered
- 5Be very cautious of loose tablets, unlabelled 'appetite' or 'body enhancement' syrups, and social-media weight-gain mixtures — these may be unregistered, wrongly dosed, or spiked with steroids
- 6For a child, confirm the product is meant for children and get the right dose from a pharmacist
Where to Buy
Buying Cyproheptadine by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Cyproheptadine on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Cyproheptadine in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Cyproheptadine in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Cyproheptadine?
As an antihistamine, cyproheptadine blocks histamine (which drives allergy symptoms) and also blocks a brain signal (serotonin) involved in feeling full — which is why it makes people hungrier. It is genuinely effective at increasing appetite, which is why parents give the syrups to children who 'won't eat', and why adults take it to gain weight. It also causes drowsiness, so it can make people sleepy.
It is important to be clear-eyed about this medicine. Used sensibly and briefly, for a genuine allergy or a short appetite boost under guidance, cyproheptadine is inexpensive and usually well tolerated. But its very popular use for weight gain — especially long-term, in high doses, in young children and babies, or as part of 'body enhancement' mixtures bought from unverified sellers — carries real risks. It is not a healthy or lasting way to gain weight, and it should not be given to infants or used casually without advice. Always buy a NAFDAC-registered product and use it thoughtfully.
What is Cyproheptadine used for?
In Nigeria, Cyproheptadine is commonly used for:
- Increasing appetite ('appetite stimulant') — its main use in Nigeria, ideally short-term and under guidance
- Allergic itching and hives (urticaria)
- Allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes)
- Some allergic skin reactions
- Occasionally, specific medical uses (such as certain headaches) under a doctor's direction
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
For allergies, a common dose is 4mg (one tablet) three times a day. When used to stimulate appetite, lower or once/twice-daily dosing is often used, and it should be for a limited period rather than indefinitely. Because it causes drowsiness, many people take it in the evening. It can be taken with or without food.
Children
Cyproheptadine syrups are widely given to children for appetite, but this should be done carefully and ideally on medical advice, using the dose for the child's age and weight. It must NOT be given to babies and very young children (generally under 2 years), in whom antihistamines like this can cause dangerous drowsiness and breathing problems. 'My child won't eat' is common and usually not solved by a syrup — a health worker can check for causes (such as infection, worms, or anaemia) first.
Elderly
Use with caution. Older adults are more sensitive to the drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and urinary problems it can cause, and it can worsen glaucoma and prostate problems.
Cyproheptadine is meant for short-term use. Taking it continuously for months to keep gaining weight is not how it should be used, and the weight gained often comes back once it is stopped. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how drowsy it makes you, and avoid alcohol. Never give it to a baby or use unlabelled 'appetite' or 'body enhancement' mixtures from unverified sellers, which may contain hidden steroids or wrong doses.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Drowsiness and sleepiness (very common)
- •Increased appetite and weight gain (the intended effect when used for that reason)
- •Dry mouth
- •Dizziness
- •Constipation
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- In babies and very young children: dangerous drowsiness, breathing difficulty, or seizures — this is why it must not be used in infants
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty passing urine (especially in older men with prostate problems)
- Worsening of glaucoma (eye pressure)
- Confusion, agitation, or hallucinations, particularly at high doses or in the elderly
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction to the medicine itself
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent care if a child — especially a baby — becomes very drowsy, floppy, or has trouble breathing after taking it. See a doctor for a fast or irregular heartbeat, difficulty passing urine, eye pain or vision changes, or confusion. If appetite or weight loss is the real concern, get it assessed properly rather than relying on the syrup, as ongoing poor appetite or weight loss can have an underlying cause.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Cyproheptadine if you have:
- Do not use in newborns, babies, or very young children (generally under 2 years)
- Avoid in glaucoma (raised eye pressure)
- Avoid in men with prostate enlargement or difficulty passing urine
- Avoid in stomach or bowel obstruction and in severe liver disease
- Do not use with, or within two weeks of, MAOI antidepressants
- Use caution in the elderly, in asthma, and in heart disease
- Do not use if you are allergic to cyproheptadine
Drug interactions
- •Alcohol and other sedatives (sleeping tablets, some pain and anxiety medicines) add to drowsiness
- •MAOI antidepressants — should not be combined
- •Other 'anticholinergic' medicines increase dry mouth, constipation, and urinary problems
- •Tell a pharmacist about all medicines, and be wary of 'appetite' or weight-gain mixtures that hide extra ingredients such as steroids
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Cyproheptadine is generally not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding unless a doctor advises it, and it should not be used to try to gain weight during these times. Antihistamines like this can affect a nursing baby and may reduce milk supply. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and think you need it, ask a doctor or pharmacist first.
Related Resources for Cyproheptadine
Guides, articles, and tools related to Cyproheptadine and other allergy medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Cyproheptadine on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Cyproheptadine.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.