Cyproheptadine

 Risk Factor: BM
 Class: ANTIHISTAMINES

Contents of this page:

Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers

Fetal Risk Summary

Cyproheptadine has been used as a serotonin antagonist to prevent habitual abortion in patients with increased serotonin production (1,2). No congenital defects were observed when the drug was used for this purpose.

Reproductive studies in mice, rats, and rabbits with oral or SC doses up to 32 times the maximum recommended human dose found no evidence of impaired fertility or fetal harm (3,4). In contrast, Shepard cited a 1982 study that observed dose-related fetotoxicity characterized by skeletal retardation, hydronephrosis, liver and brain toxicity, and increased mortality in fetuses of rats administered 250 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally during organogenesis (5).

Two patients, who were being treated with cyproheptadine for Cushing's syndrome, conceived while taking the drug (6,7). Therapy was stopped at 3 months in one patient, but continued throughout gestation in the second. Apparently healthy infants were delivered prematurely (3334 weeks and 36 weeks) from both mothers. Fatal gastroenteritis developed at 4 months of age in the 3334 week gestational infant who was exposed throughout pregnancy to the drug (6). The use of cyproheptadine to treat a pregnant woman with Cushing's syndrome secondary to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia was described in a 1990 Reference (8). Specific details were not provided on the case, except that the fetus was delivered prematurely at 33 weeks' gestation. In a separate case, a woman with Cushing's was successfully treated with cyproheptadine; 2 years after stopping the drug, she conceived and eventually delivered a healthy male infant (9).

In a surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients involving 229,101 completed pregnancies conducted between 1985 and 1992, 285 newborns had been exposed to cyproheptadine during the 1st trimester (F. Rosa, personal communication, FDA, 1993). A total of 12 (4.2%) major birth defects were observed (12 expected), including (observed/expected) 2/3 cardiovascular defects, 2/0.6 oral clefts, and 2/0.7 hypospadias. Only with the latter two defects is there a suggestion of an association, but other factors, including the mother's disease, concurrent drug use, and chance may be involved. No anomalies were observed in three other categories of anomalies (spina bifida, polydactyly, and limb reduction defects) for which specific data were available.

Breast Feeding Summary

No reports describing the use of cyproheptadine during lactation have been located. Chronic use of cyproheptadine will lower serum prolactin levels and it has been used in the management of galactorrhea (10). No studies have been found, however, that evaluated its potential to interfere with the normal lactation process. Because of the increased sensitivity of newborns to antihistamines and the potential for adverse reactions, the manufacturer considers cyproheptadine to be contraindicated in nursing mothers (3).

References

1. Sadovsky E, Pfeifer Y, Polishuk WZ, Sulman FG. A trial of cyproheptadine in habitual abortion. Isr J Med Sci 1972;8:6235.
2. Sadovsky E, Pfeifer Y, Sadovsky A, Sulman FG. Prevention of hypothalamic habitual abortion by Periactin. Harefuah 1970;78:3324. As cited in Anonymous. References and reviews. JAMA 1970;212:1253.
3. Product information. Periactin. Merck & Co., 1997.
4. Pfeifer Y, Sadovsky E, Sulman FG. Prevention of serotonin abortion in pregnant rats by five serotonin antagonists. Obstet Gynecol 1969;33:70914.
5. Shepard TH. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents. 8th ed. Baltimore, MD:Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995:1212.
6. Kasperlik-Zaluska A, Migdalska B, Hartwig W, Wilczynska J, Marianowski L, Stopinska-Gluszak U, Lozinska D. Two pregnancies in a woman with Cushing's syndrome treated with cyproheptadine. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1980;87:11713.
7. Khir ASM, How J, Bewsher PD. Successful pregnancy after cyproheptadine treatment for Cushing's disease. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1982;13:3437.
8. Aron DC, Schnall AM, Sheeler LR. Cushing's syndrome and pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1990;162:24452.
9. Griffith DN, Ross EJ. Pregnancy after cyproheptadine treatment for Cushing's disease. N Engl J Med 1981;305:8934.
10. Wortsman J, Soler NG, Hirschowitz J. Cyproheptadine in the management of the galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome. Ann Intern Med 1979;90:9235.
    
    

Questions and Answers

Has anyone used cyproheptadine in cats for appetite stimulation?, If you've used cyproheptadine (periactin) for cats to stimulate their appetite, what dose did you use? What was the time of onset? And did it help to stimulate their appetite?

Thanks.

That antihistamine is used frequently as it tends to stimulate a cats appetite. It doesn't work for all cats, but is worth a try. Ask your vet for a dose as it depends on your cats weight and health history.

What is the correct dose of "Cyproheptadine" (Practin) for 28 Years old unmarried male ?.?, If Practine have side effects, then plz suggest me altertate medicine which results are as Practin. Practin (Cyproheptadine)

Practine and Ciplactine,both contain cyproheptadine Hydrochloride and their good effects and side effects are same.Basically this drug was discovered as an anti allergic-anti histaminic--anti serotonin agent also having 5 HT antagonistic action thus considered as the best anti-allergic of all times.Whereas other anti-allergic agents don't have all these properties.However,it has two prominent side effects---1.Heavy drowsiness 2.and the other side effect i.e.stimulation of appetite has been used as a boon to man kind,a beneficial side effect.Because of heavy drowsiness,it was discarded as an anti-allergic with the advant of other anti-allergic agents but used more frequently as an appetite stimulant in a certain manner.i.e.start with a night dose,and after a week or so when tolerance develops,continue with the day time dose also as an appetite stimulant.
You have not mentioned the purpose of taking this medicine.As an appetiser,you may start with 2mg half an hour.before dinner and after a week increase it to 4mg.After a few days it can be taken as a day time dose also.This is an example only.Please consult your doctor at the same time.

Transient vocalization of cat on cyproheptadine for spraying?, My 9 year old male cat Benny, is on cyproheptadine, 4 mg twice a day, for spraying. He is in good health and most recent blood work looks good.

Although the medication helps with the spraying, Benny has started with transient vocalization. He yowls from his gut, loudly. Not just a usual meow. He does it periodically in the day and night. Most often he will do it while walking through the house, and other times while he is laying around. He does not appear to be upset or hurt.

I read as much as I could find and found one article referencing a study done on cats who are put on cyproheptadine. That is how I found the term transient vocalization.

I have had Benny on most every medication for his spraying and they either didn't work, or quit working over time. It is purley behavioral.

One more interesting note. My cat Tony was put on the med and did the same thing,, but only once while he was asleep.

Have you had him fixed yet?

do you need a prescription for cyproheptadine?, generic name for periactin
if yes where can i but it?

you can buy it online at http://the-drug-store.com/?product=peria... without any papers. they specialize in generics at low prices and I have found them very reliable.

I have a vascular headache problem for 7 yrs. And doctor advice me to take a cyproheptadine hydrochloride.?, so i want to know abt this medicine??

It's an anti-histamine. And is usually used for allergies but they are now using it for miagraines.
It binds to receptors and opens blood vessels.
With a migraine the medication blockes the production of serotonin, which is raised in miagraines.
It has a sedative side effect.

If you Google the drug you can find plenty of information on it written in plain English. Not medical jargon.

Is 24mg of Cyproheptadine too much?, I usually take 12mg of Cyprohepatdine a night which is about 3 tablets, to prevent migraines, but would their be any side effects of take-ing two times the regular dose? I was just wondering if I did take to much what might happen. By the way I'm 13 years old and I'm about 5'10 feet tall.

Yes. Do not take the increased dosage. It is not good for you. Your 12mg dose is more than enuf (if it is going to work at all)..

Could Cyproheptadine activate panic attacks?, I started having panic attacks and multiple physical symptoms 3 years ago... they went away with time, zoloft and now Wellbutrin.
Im diagnosed with anxiety disorder with some depression these days.

I was cleaning stuff here and found pills that i tried to take 3 years ago before i started having the symptoms. These pills are from another country, and they are for weight gain and appetite stimulant. Im on the thin side.
This is what they have in the ingredients:
Cyproheptadine 2mg
Tricalcium phosphate 250mg
Cyanocobalamin 250mg

Just for curiosity i started looking in Wikipedia for these drugs so i can find something similar here in the states.
And then i saw that Cyproheptadine plays with Serotonin and SSRI stuff. now i wonder if i started having problems because of this... because i recall to have taken this medicine a couple of weeks before i started having the attacks.

The thing is that i just used this medicine for 3 days or so.. and stoped taking it because it was too drowsy

Hi, sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I'm not sure about Cyproheptadine, but the following steps will help with your panic attacks, anxiety and depression:

1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be very effective for panic attacks, depression and anxiety etc. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: www.livinglifetothefull.com

3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. You can get free downloads online, e.g. http://www.studentservices.utas.edu.au/c...

With each step practise makes perfect. (i.e. practise the steps every day, not just when you are feeling bad). I hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!

Cyproheptadine- prescribed for my period??, I have bad periods, and sometimes i feel as if i am about to black out. its never painful cramps, just painfully sickening.

I went into the DR.'s one day when i almost blacked out, and was prescribed Cyproheptadine.

I guess i don't understand how this could help
Thank You

You know...that is really weird. That is an antihistimine, i have no idea why it is prescribed for cramps?

I need to know about tow kind of medicine (Cyproheptadine) &(Dexamethasone)?, My friend brought me this medicine to utilize because i am so thin can i gain weight bu utilizing this medicine?

Periactin (cyproheptadine) is an antihistamine, antiserotonergic agent. It is useful for:
•Perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis
•Vasomotor rhinitis
•Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
•Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema.
•Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
•Cold urticaria

Decadron (dexamethasone) is a glucocorticoid. It is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, certain bowel disorders, and certain cancers.

Will you gain weight? You sure will, but it will be all water weight. Is it a good idea? Absolutely not. These medications need to be prescribed by a Doctor. Will you screw up your body by taking these? You bet!!
Don't do it.