Hi All,
My son is 31/2 year old and he is very skinny. Currently he weighs 29 pounds. Though his height is Ok.
Yesterday I took him to a pediatrician because he doesn't eat anything. The doctor did check him up and precribed an appetite booster named "Cyproheptadine" two times a day. I started giving since yesterday but he gets a little drowsy after that. Has anybody experienced this with their kids and if yes, was it really helpful to gain weight and what are the drawbacks..
Thanks
I would get another opinion! Both my children are in the 2% range in weight and the 60% for height. (For example, My son who is weeks from being 4 just was weighed - 32 lbs. Perfectly fine!) If you know your child is eating, fruits, veges and grains, meats, just keep feeding! Good luck and best wishes!
Ok, I am not a doctor but I was a nurse before staying home with my children, so take my advice with a grain of salt. This drug has some rather serious side effects. It s actually an antihistamine. It's been prescribed for severe allergies and possible reduction of migraines. It also acts as an antiserotonin and sedative. It has been used for a relatively long time as an appetite enhancer, but a really what cost for a child? I have generally only seen it prescribed in cases of children who have severe malnutrion due to an underlying chronic medical condition.
I am also the mom of 3 girls- 8, 3.5 and 17 months. The youger 2 are very thin- my 3.5 yr old is 31 lbs and 42 inches tall and my 17 mnth old is 19.5 lbs and 36 in. tall. Neither one has ever been prescribed anything except try to feed them high fat foods like avocado and adding real butter, etc. I do give them both a hemp protein smoothie everyday but that's mostly due to their dairy allergies and the fact that they aren't fond of meat or beans/legumes. I would really look for a second opinion on this one- my gut feeling is that this might be too rash of a decision. I'm sure there are lots of people out there who have used it sucessfully but my thinking is, if there isn't another underlying problem, maybe other things need to be done 1st. Has he always been thin? Maybe it is part genetics? Does he have speech/ swallowing/ texture issues? I guess waht my stance on this is, 1st exhaust all other options, then if nothing is resolved/works, move to the drug. There are potentially long term nervous system side-effects from long term use and it kind of seems like a band-aid to a situation without exhausting all other possibilites first. Just my 2 cents, good luck!
This answer is not related to the medication, but my son was and is not a great eater and wasn't gaining weight. What worked to get him to eat was I would put the TV/movie on and I would feed him. I have a portable DVD player and would place it on the table. Best wishes.
Here is some more info for you:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-8879-cyproheptadine+Oral....
Hi! My son takes this for his migraines and it has helped tremendously. However, it has not stimulated his appetite at all. He's extremely skinny but very, very active, but doesn't over eat or even really want to eat often. When he is focused and eating, it's a normal portion. His doctor was surprised that he hasn't gained weight on it (even though that's not why he was put on it). After many tests, it came down that he burns more than he brings in because of how active he is (and always has been). As many of the other posts indicate, try everything first, then go with the meds. Have you tried making protein shakes or pedialyte/ensure or something like that to get him the calories/vitamins/minerals he needs? It's always disconcerting when the kids aren't gaining like expected. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for your son!
My son has had some eating issues and we've always been told that appetite enhancers are a last resort. Our nutritionist told us that the side effects outweigh the benefits. Definitely seek another opinion! Chicago's Children's Hospital has a "feeding clinic" run by Dr Mark Fishbein. He's kind of like the TV show House, nice but a little gruff, and seems to be able just look at a child and know what's wrong.
Some kids are just smaller.....my 4 children were all 30 or less at 31/2. Go with your gut instinct. Only use meds when absolutely necessary. He'll end up eating and gaining weight as he gets older (unless there is some sort of medical problem, which I am assuming would have other symptoms). I always let my kids "graze", they weren't great at sitting at the table and eating a full meal. Always have food available and easy access. Good luck!
