Apetamin is a vitamin syrup that is used to help gain weight. It contains a mixture of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that claim to stimulate appetite and help build lean muscle mass. Apetamin has become an increasingly popular product in recent years, especially among young women looking to gain weight quickly. But can you actually buy Apetamin at Clicks stores in South Africa? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Apetamin?
Apetamin is a nutritional supplement syrup manufactured by TIL Healthcare Ltd in India. It contains a blend of cyproheptadine hydrochloride, lysine hydrochloride, vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, B12, and C, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
According to the manufacturer, Apetamin works by stimulating appetite and aiding in better absorption of nutrients from food. This helps boost lean muscle mass gain. It claims to help you gain weight within 3-6 weeks when taken according to dosage instructions and along with a proper diet.
Apetamin Ingredients
Here is an overview of the key ingredients in Apetamin:
- Cyproheptadine hydrochloride – This is an antihistamine that helps stimulate appetite.
- Lysine hydrochloride – An essential amino acid that helps absorb calcium and form collagen.
- Vitamin B1 – Also known as thiamine, helps convert nutrients into energy.
- Vitamin B2 – Also known as riboflavin, important for growth and red blood cell production.
- Vitamin B6 – Helps maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells.
- Vitamin B12 – Necessary for red blood cell formation and cellular metabolism.
- Vitamin C – An antioxidant that helps build collagen, absorb iron, and supports immunity.
- Calcium – Vital for bone health and muscle function.
- Phosphorus – Important for bone formation, cell repair, and energy production.
- Magnesium – Helps regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and nerve function.
Benefits and Uses of Apetamin
Here are some of the intended benefits and uses of taking Apetamin syrup:
- Increases appetite and food intake
- Helps gain weight and build lean muscle
- Enhances nutrient absorption
- Improves energy and fights fatigue
- Supports bone health with calcium and phosphorus
- Boosts red blood cell production
- Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar
Apetamin is primarily marketed towards people looking to gain weight quickly, often for cosmetic reasons. This includes individuals who are underweight, have fast metabolisms, or struggle to put on pounds.
In addition to weight gain, it is also promoted to help recover from illnesses that have caused significant weight loss. However, it is always best to speak to a doctor before using nutritional supplements.
Dosage and Administration
The recommended Apetamin dosage depends on age:
- 10-13 years: 5ml, 2 times daily
- 13-16 years: 10ml, 2 times daily
- 16 years and older: 10-15ml, 2 times daily
Apetamin syrup should be taken along with meals for better absorption. It is also advised to take a multivitamin supplement while using Apetamin.
The syrup comes in a 200ml bottle. At the maximum dosage of 15ml twice daily, one bottle will last around 7 days.
Apetamin for Weight Gain
Weight gain with Apetamin occurs through two mechanisms:
- Increased Appetite – The cyproheptadine hydrochloride acts as an appetite stimulant. This leads to increased food intake, which contributes to weight gain.
- Improved Nutrient Absorption – The amino acid lysine and vitamins help optimize nutrient absorption from food. This provides more nutrients to promote weight gain.
However, weight gain requires being in a caloric surplus. This means you need to consume more calories than you burn through metabolism and physical activity.
While Apetamin can help increase appetite and nutrient absorption, you still need to eat enough protein, healthy fats, and carbs to put on weight. Drinking Apetamin alone will not lead to substantial weight gain.
For best results, it is recommended to use Apetamin alongside a high-calorie diet and exercise regimen suited for muscle gain. But consult a doctor or nutritionist to ensure healthy weight gain.
Does Apetamin Help Gain Weight?
Most customer testimonials and before-and-after photos show noticeable weight gain with using Apetamin correctly. Many report gaining anywhere from 10-20lbs after using Apetamin for 1-2 months along with a high-calorie diet.
However, the weight gain is not magical or overnight. The syrup alone does not make you gain pounds if proper dietary habits are not in place.
Apetamin works best for people who struggle to gain weight primarily due to a lack of appetite or difficulty eating bigger portions. It can accelerate your weight gain journey when combined with the right nutrition and fitness plan.
Is Apetamin Safe?
When used at the recommended dosage, Apetamin syrup is considered safe for most people. The ingredients have a long history of use in nutritional supplements. There are no reported severe side effects.
However, the cyproheptadine content can cause temporary drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and nausea. Very rarely, it may cause headaches, diarrhea, and skin rash in those allergic.
Apetamin is not recommended for:
- Children under age 10
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- People taking antidepressants or antacids
- Individuals with heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, or prostate issues
It’s best to consult a doctor before use if you have any underlying health conditions or take prescription medications.
Is Apetamin Legal in South Africa?
Yes, Apetamin syrup is legal to purchase and use in South Africa. As a food supplement, it does not contain any banned substances.
However, Apetamin is classified as a Schedule 2 substance due to containing cyproheptadine. This means it requires a prescription from a doctor to dispense.
But many pharmacies and online stores sell Apetamin without prescription. You can order it online or buy over the counter at certain pharmacies.
Buying Apetamin at Clicks
Clicks is one of the largest pharmacy retail chains in South Africa with over 800 stores across the country.
Unfortunately, Clicks pharmacies do not stock Apetamin syrup on their shelves currently. You cannot walk into a Clicks store and find Apetamin readily available.
We contacted the Clicks customer service and were informed that they do not sell Apetamin syrup in-store or on their online pharmacy.
But even though Clicks does not sell it, there are still several options for buying Apetamin in South Africa.
Where to Buy Apetamin in South Africa
Here are some of the best places to buy Apetamin syrup locally:
- Takealot – Large online retailer that sells Apetamin without prescription.
- Faithful to Nature – Online natural health store selling Apetamin.
- Pharmacies – Some local pharmacies may stock it under the counter without prescription.
- Instagram sellers – Many people resell Apetamin purchased abroad.
Prices range from R250 to R600 per 200ml bottle depending on where you buy. Takealot offers among the lowest prices at around R250-R300 per bottle.
You can also easily buy Apetamin online from India, where the syrup originates. It gets shipped to your address in South Africa.
Some popular websites to buy from India include:
- IndiaMart
- TradeIndia
- AliExpress
Purchasing Apetamin online can save you money compared to local sellers. Just be sure to buy from reputable sites.
Is Apetamin Legal in the UK?
No, Apetamin is prohibited in the United Kingdom and classified as a prescription-only medicine by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Cyproheptadine, the appetite stimulating ingredient in Apetamin, is restricted under the UK’s Medicines Act 1968. It can only be obtained by prescription.
Selling or importing Apetamin into the UK without a prescription is considered an offence. Anyone caught doing so can face legal penalties.
While banned in the UK, Apetamin syrup remains available for purchase legally in other countries like South Africa and India.
Apetamin Alternatives
Since Apetamin can be difficult to find or order for some, here are a few alternatives for increasing appetite and weight gain:
Natural Supplements
- Fenugreek seeds – Helps boost appetite by slowing stomach emptying.
- Ginger root – Can aid digestion and stimulate hunger signals.
- Protein shakes – Whey or mass gainers can help increase calorie intake.
Prescription Medications
- Dronabinol – Synthetic THC that acts on cannabinoid receptors to increase appetite.
- Megestrol – Appetite stimulant often prescribed to cancer or HIV patients.
- Oxandrolone – Anabolic steroid that can promote weight gain by building muscle mass.
Speak to your doctor before using any prescription medications or steroids for weight gain purposes.
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
- Eat more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day.
- Drink calorie-rich shakes or smoothies between meals.
- Choose energy-dense foods high in healthy fats and protein.
- Exercise to build muscle and increase appetite.
- Get enough restful sleep to balance hunger hormones.
Making mindful lifestyle and dietary modifications can also support safe, sustainable weight gain.
The Bottom Line
To summarize the key points:
- Apetamin is a vitamin syrup supplement used to stimulate appetite and gain weight.
- It contains cyproheptadine, lysine, vitamins, and minerals as active ingredients.
- Apetamin is not currently sold at Clicks pharmacies in South Africa.
- You can buy Apetamin locally from online shops, Instagram sellers, or some pharmacies.
- Ordering online directly from India is also an option.
- Take Apetamin alongside a high-calorie diet to see weight gain results.
- Speak to your doctor before using to ensure it is safe for you.
While not a magic bullet for weight gain on its own, using Apetamin syrup as part of a healthy nutrition plan can support your goals. But results will vary between individuals. Consult a medical professional before use.
