As you might expect, sedative medications have the opposite effect. The main active ingredient, cyproheptadine HCl, is a potent sedative, antihistamine, and antiserotonin drug. The other ingredients are common dietary amino acids. This drug should not to be confused with Orexin, which is a combination of B Complex vitamins. Cyproheptadine HCl is primarily given for allergies.
Some people take it for clearing runny noses, some for hives, and some for more serious allergies.
One of the side effects noted by people taking this, and similar medicines for allergies, is increased appetite and weight gain. This led to the practice of giving the drug to those who want increased appetite and weight gain. Thus, one person's side effect may be someone else's desired effect. Overdosage, especially in young children, may produce central nervous system depression, convulsions, and even death. Of course, most children will experience none of these side effects.