|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Apetamin is widely promoted as a quick fix for weight gain, but how safe is it? Investigative journalist and fact-checker Elizabeth Ogunbamowo looked into the product and found worrying details: unapproved variants of the syrup, unregulated over-the-counter sales, and serious health risks. One user even developed an autoimmune condition after taking it.
With Apetamin banned in several countries but still easily found in Nigeria, this investigation raises important questions about regulation and public safety.
Tell us about your experience investigating the Apetamin story.
The report was an eye-opener to the extent of regulatory lapses in the country. During the investigation, I became deeply concerned that a medicine banned in many countries was readily available in most drug stores across Nigeria.
I am grateful for the opportunity to tell this story and raise awareness about Apetamin. However, my feelings are mixed. On the one hand, I feel fulfilled for successfully conducting the investigation; on the other hand, I remain worried that we still have a long way to go as a country in addressing such regulatory shortcomings.
I know you are a health researcher, but why did you choose this story?
This investigation has been on my mind for a long time. Some time ago, during my service year in Ekiti State, I was eager to gain weight, even though I knew I was naturally on the lean side. While searching for solutions, I found several Facebook groups for people looking for foods to help with weight gain. I thought, “If it’s just about food combinations, that’s fine.” I did find some diet suggestions, but I also noticed that many people were promoting Apetamin as a so-called magic drug for weight gain—even for those who didn’t eat much. That claim made me sceptical.
I naturally avoid taking medicines, and I certainly wouldn’t consider anything that a doctor didn’t prescribe. So, I decided against trying it. However, years later, social media algorithms started suggesting similar content again, and people were praising this so-called magic medicine once more. Curious, I decided to do some research to determine whether it had any serious side effects. Of course, all medicines have side effects ranging from mild to severe. It is the responsibility of a doctor to weigh the pros and cons before recommending any medicine. However, in this case, Apetamin was endorsed by individuals who are not medical professionals, which further piqued my curiosity.
What was your most significant discovery or surprise in the Apetamine story?
My most significant discovery was learning about the harm the medicine had caused to some of its users. I was shocked when one of my respondents revealed that she had developed an autoimmune condition called Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) after using the product. It wasn’t until she visited the doctor that she discovered Apetamin was the cause. ITP is a condition in which a person has a low platelet count, leading to bruising and excessive bleeding. She had noticed unexplained bruising all over her body, and her haematologist later confirmed that the cyproheptadine in Apetamin caused it.
Also, one of the experts I spoke to stunned me with their response when I discovered that cyproheptadine, the main ingredient in Apetamin, could cause arrhythmias, heart attacks, and QT interval prolongation. This revelation left me questioning the obsession with Apetamin when it is, in reality, a potentially deadly product.
Another major surprise during the investigation was discovering that several variants of the medicine were in circulation without a NAFDAC registration number. It is deeply concerning and alarming.
What was your fact-checking process for this investigation?
The claim was that the product was designed for weight gain. However, through my research and consultations with experts, I discovered that cyproheptadine is not explicitly intended for weight gain. Instead, it is an antihistamine (a medication that relieves allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine), with weight gain being merely one of its side effects. This makes the marketing of Apetamin as a weight-gain supplement misleading.
My investigation primarily involved field research to determine the product’s availability in stores and how easily it could be purchased without a prescription—despite clear manufacturer instructions stating that it should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
This also led me to uncover the presence of unregistered variants of the product in stores, which unsuspecting buyers purchase without knowing the risks.
Briefly tell us your findings.
The investigation revealed that the promotion and sale of Apetamin in Nigeria remain largely unregulated despite the product being banned or classified as a prescription-only medicine in several countries due to its health risks. In Nigeria, however, it is readily available over the counter in most drug stores.
The investigation also uncovered the circulation of unregistered variants of the medicine, lacking a NAFDAC registration number. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, Apetamin was not initially formulated for weight gain but is instead an antihistamine, with weight gain being only a side effect.
Most importantly, the findings highlighted that using Apetamin without a prescription could lead to life-threatening health conditions.
How can the government and its agencies come in?
I encourage NAFDAC to review the product’s status from OTC (over-the-counter) to POM (prescription-only medicine) and ensure those who sell the variants of the unregistered product are brought to book. With strong regulatory oversight, indiscriminate sales of medicine in Nigeria will become a thing of the past.
