Cyprohepatidine was introduced in Indian market about twenty years ago as an anti-allergic drug. It was promoted across India by the pharma industry using aggressive marketing. After some time, it came to be known that this anti-allergic agent was extremely sedating, indicating potential toxicity to the brain. Also, it was discovered that its therapeutic dose/toxicity ratio was very low. As a result, it lost popularity.
During post-marketing surveillance, it was revealed that the drug increases appetite as one of its side effects. The industry was quick to start marketing it as an appetite stimulant.As the drug was originally licensed as an anti-allergic, its use as an appetite stimulant is irrational as well as illegal. If a new clinical effect is discovered by chance, then according to provisions of rule 122 of Drugs and Cosmetics Act of India, the drug must undergo a re-trial.
Alert: Cyprohepatidine is too toxic a drug to be used as an ingredient in appetite stimulants. As such, all appetite stimulants are irrational. This drug is not marketed as an appetite stimulant anywhere else in the world and has been withdrawn as an anti-allergic too.
During post-marketing surveillance, it was revealed that the drug increases appetite as one of its side effects. The industry was quick to start marketing it as an appetite stimulant.As the drug was originally licensed as an anti-allergic, its use as an appetite stimulant is irrational as well as illegal. If a new clinical effect is discovered by chance, then according to provisions of rule 122 of Drugs and Cosmetics Act of India, the drug must undergo a re-trial.
Alert: Cyprohepatidine is too toxic a drug to be used as an ingredient in appetite stimulants. As such, all appetite stimulants are irrational. This drug is not marketed as an appetite stimulant anywhere else in the world and has been withdrawn as an anti-allergic too.
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