Appetite, Weight-Gain Supplement Recalled After FDA Finds Hidden Prescription Drugs

The capsules were marketed online as a dietary supplement to stimulate appetite and promote weight gain but are considered an unapproved drug because their safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 4/2/2026, 11:49:56 PM EDT

Appetite, Weight-Gain Supplement Recalled After FDA Finds Hidden Prescription Drugs — Aphreseller is recalling lots of Kian Pee Wan capsules nationwide, the company announced on March 30, 2026. (FDA)

An online seller is pulling a popular appetite and weight gain supplement from the market after federal testing found it contained two hidden prescription-strength drugs that can carry serious health risks, regulators said this week.

Aphreseller, an eBay seller that also operates as Buy-herbal.com, is voluntarily recalling all lots of Kian Pee Wan capsules nationwide after FDA laboratory analysis detected the undeclared ingredients dexamethasone and cyproheptadine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Wednesday.

The capsules were marketed online as a dietary supplement to stimulate appetite and promote weight gain, but are considered an unapproved drug because their safety and effectiveness have not been established. Products containing dexamethasone and cyproheptadine “cannot be marketed as dietary supplements,” the FDA said. The recall covers every lot sold to consumers through eBay.com.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid prescribed for inflammatory conditions, severe allergies, adrenal disorders, arthritis, asthma, certain blood or bone marrow diseases, kidney problems, skin diseases, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Doctors also use dexamethasone tablets with other medicines to treat multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer, and it is only available by prescription. The drug acts on the immune system to ease swelling, redness, itching and allergic reactions, but the same immune-suppressing effects can leave patients more vulnerable to infections.

Corticosteroids like dexamethasone can trigger a range of side effects that vary with dose and duration, including elevated blood sugar, fluid retention, mood and behavior changes, muscle problems, and cardiovascular events.

Prolonged or high-dose use can suppress the adrenal glands, and stopping suddenly after extended treatment may cause withdrawal symptoms.

Cyproheptadine, the other undeclared ingredient found in the supplement, is a prescription antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms such as red, itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny or stuffy nasal passageways, according to Cleveland Clinic. The medication works by blocking histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions, and is sold under brand names such as Periactin.

Cyproheptadine can cause sedation, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, constipation, and dry mouth, among other side effects.

In its recall notice, the company said the appetite and weight gain capsules come in white bottles with a beige label and contain 30 pills. Aphreseller said it is alerting customers by press announcement and email and is arranging product returns. Customers who purchased directly from the seller can return products to Aphreseller at an address in Flushing for a refund, the notice said.

Health officials are urging anyone who has Kian Pee Wan capsules to stop using them immediately and either return them to the place of purchase, discard them, or consult their doctor. Consumers who believe they have experienced side effects or other problems after taking the product should contact a healthcare provider and may report adverse events to the FDA’s MedWatch program online, by mail or by fax.

Consumers with questions about the recall can reach the company by email or by phone during weekday business hours (Eastern Time). The company contact information is available in the FDA recall notice.