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Is Cypon Effective In Increasing Appetite Of Children?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Question: Hi Dr,

How is Cypon for increasing appetite in children. My daughter is 3 years old and a very fussy eater. Weight gain is also a problem with her wait being on the lower side ( 11 kgs )
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would not recommend use of Cypon. Periodic weight monitoring important

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Cypon contains a medicine called Cyproheptidine which has a 'side effect' of increasing appetite. But it also has a propensity to cause liver damage and so I would not suggest using this medicine for increasing appetite of a child. Many children are fussy eaters and such medicines are not good for solving these problems. The only solution is to coax the child to eat.

11 kg is indeed not a very good weight for a 3 year old child. But the rate of weight gain is more important than the weight itself. The height and weight has to be periodically monitored at 3 monthly intervals and plotted on a growth chart. If the weight follows the normal pattern but is on the lower side, there should not be a problem. But if the weight gain is not as it should be, there are reasons for concern. Your pediatrician would be able to monitor this. You can add high calorie foods like milk products - cheese, butter,cream etc to her food.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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Is Cypon Effective In Increasing Appetite Of Children?

Brief Answer: I would not recommend use of Cypon. Periodic weight monitoring important Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Cypon contains a medicine called Cyproheptidine which has a 'side effect' of increasing appetite. But it also has a propensity to cause liver damage and so I would not suggest using this medicine for increasing appetite of a child. Many children are fussy eaters and such medicines are not good for solving these problems. The only solution is to coax the child to eat. 11 kg is indeed not a very good weight for a 3 year old child. But the rate of weight gain is more important than the weight itself. The height and weight has to be periodically monitored at 3 monthly intervals and plotted on a growth chart. If the weight follows the normal pattern but is on the lower side, there should not be a problem. But if the weight gain is not as it should be, there are reasons for concern. Your pediatrician would be able to monitor this. You can add high calorie foods like milk products - cheese, butter,cream etc to her food. Hope that helps. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das