Skip to main content

Cyproheptadine for Failure to Thrive User Reviews

Cyproheptadine has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 9 reviews for the off-label treatment of Failure to Thrive. 56% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 22% reported a negative experience.

Cyproheptadine rating summary

6.4/10 average rating

9 ratings from 9 user reviews.

Compare all 1 medications used in the treatment of Failure to Thrive.

10
22%
9
0%
8
33%
7
0%
6
0%
5
11%
4
11%
3
11%
2
11%
1
0%
  • Dano
  • November 27, 2019

"The good- My 2 year old takes this medication. He’s also on a feeding tube due to unknown feeding issues, aspiration, chocking, under weight and low hunger, as well as vomiting. His neurologist put him on it hoping the vomiting was linked to his head aches (has chairi malformation we got surgically fixed 6 months ago) Since he’s been on this Med I have been able to take him off 2 of his 5 feeding tube feeds because he will actually drink a thickened bottle. Plus he has been more successful at eating his solid foods and choking and regurgitating his foods much less. I’m not sure what part of the meds did that, but I’m thankful!! No more puking and no more headaches The bad- He sleeps a lot, at 2 that’s fine, wasn’t ok for my older kid who was also on it."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Ewalkkk
  • April 1, 2017

"Okay. I got subscribed this pill from my stomach doctor - Cyclic vomiting syndrome . Months on months on months I would wake up throwing up and nauseous as hell. I spent a whole year going to the emergency room in a panic. When I was prescribed this medicine I stopped waking up sick every morning. Being sick every morning caused me to not be able to eat at all. I was 125 and ended up being 102..... this medicine not only made me not wake up sick, it actually allowed me to eat every morning and all day like a normal person and now I'm back up to 115... this medicine does take a couple weeks or maybe less depending on your body... I took it right before bed every night, so it didn't effect me sleepiness whose except for the first few weeks I didn't want to wakeup fast"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Happy
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 6, 2017

"These pills really work. I have been struggling with weight gain for years! I took these pills and within just 2-3 weeks I gained 10lbs! I love this and I am currently looking to buy more! They make you really sleepy but they definitely help you out on the weight by boosting your appetite and allowing you to pack on the food! I took them 3 times a day after every meal instead of with or before that way I ate 3x more than usual and was able to increase my calorie intake each day! I also drank ensure plus and ate things with peanut butter. I.e, apples and peanut butter, graham crackers with peanut butter, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I was a size 0 now I’m a size 2! Try this ladies it works!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Harold
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 27, 2020

"I really think this medication is making me go crazy and has worsened everything. I have like 95% of the side affects and I’ve been taking a low dose for over 2 years and it’s for a central sensitization and huge appetite loss"

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 16, 2009

"My toddler, who had been deemed "Failure to Thrive" for 2 1/2 yrs used this with success to gain weight. Negatively, I noticed he became quite more hyperactive than usual. This medicine will generally make children too sleepy, which is the main reason why they stop it, but in a normally hyperactive child it appears to do the opposite."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
18 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 12, 2021

"This medicine really helped me a lot. I have always been very slim, I experienced lots of life changes and completely lost my appetite my weight went down to 107lbs I am 5’9” I felt terrible about myself. My doctor prescribed me this I went up to 121lbs in 3 months. It works almost immediately after taking, it makes you feel sooo hungry like you just want to eat everything. I have been on it almost 6 months now and I’ve noticed it’s not working as strong as it used to. I have been at a steady weight not super hungry anymore. I don’t think this is an end all be all, you don’t want to take it your whole life but it’s absolutely amazing for short term to put the needed weight back on!!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • TallMom
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 23, 2022

"The doctor prescribed this for my 13-year-old daughter due to a diagnosis of failure to thrive. She was severely underweight. The medication made her very sleepy after taking it for a week or so. It did make her eat more but she complained that she never felt full no matter how much she ate. She gained 16 pounds in two months. The doctor said she could discontinue the medication and when she did she started losing weight. She hates this med and fights with me about taking it."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Imprad
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 29, 2023

Periactin (cyproheptadine) "Our physician prescribed it as an appetite stimulant for our toddler. He's 3 years old and falling off his growth chart due to eating and sensory issues. My wife and I tried giving it to him for a couple of weeks. All it did was make him drowsy and miserable. He's been having tantrums all day long every day since starting the medication. And it didn't improve his eating in any noticeable way."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Flip
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 23, 2021

"Cyproheptadine is a very strong antihistamine and serotonin combo. Our 10 ½ year old only took ¼ of a 4mg tablet for just over two months for failure to thrive due to severe stomach pains when she ate anything. Our daughter has a very limited diet due to sensitivities to ingredients on top of her being very particular. The very small amount of Cyproheptadine made our daughter more agitated and more anxious. The doctor put her on Cyproheptadine AFTER performing a $15,000 upper and lower scope. Thank goodness we only had to pay our deductible, however, the Cyproheptadine should’ve been prescribed prior to performing expensive scopes. Our daughter, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, hasn’t experienced any severe stomach pain since stopping Cyproheptadine."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Failure to Thrive

Care guides