Periactin (Cyproheptadine)

Cyproheptadine comes in 4 mg tablets and syrup that can be given in 2 mg/5 ml doses.

How much to take depends on your weight, usually around 0.5 mg per kg of body weight per day. Your doctor will decide what dose is right for you.

Cyproheptadine Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Missed Dose of Cyproheptadine

If you miss a dose of cyproheptadine, try to take it as soon as you remember.

If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Do not take two doses of the medication at the same time.

Common side effects of cyproheptadine include:

• Dry mouth
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Headache or dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Tiredness
• Rash or hives
• Sensitivity to light
• Weight gain
• Trouble urinating

Serious side effects include but are not limited to:

• Low platelet count (noted by bruising easily and slow clotting)
• Heat stroke
• Inability of the bone marrow to make certain white blood cells called neutrophils (agranulocytosis)

You should not take cyproheptadine if:

• You are allergic to cyproheptadine, any similar drugs, or any other ingredients found in the drug
• You live in a place where the weather is very hot most of the time
• You have a blockage in the opening of your bladder
• You are breastfeeding
• You have glaucoma (especially if it is angle-closure glaucoma)
• You have ulcers
• You are 65 years of age or older

It's not recommended that newborn babies, premature babies, or children under the age of 2 take cyproheptadine.

Also, cyproheptadine can cause some very dangerous side effects in people who are 65 years of age or older, like confusion, drowsiness, and dizziness, which can make them more susceptible to falls and other serious accidents.

Talk to your doctor before taking cyproheptadine if you have kidney or liver problems.

Pregnancy and Cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine falls under the FDA's Pregnancy Category B, which means that harm to a developing fetus is unlikely.

Regardless, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medication.

It's not recommended that breastfeeding mothers take cyproheptadine. You should talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It's always important to tell your doctor and pharmacist all of the medications you are taking.

This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements like vitamins and other dietary supplements (nutritional shakes, protein powders, etc.), herbals, and any illegal or recreational drugs.

You should not take cyproheptadine if you are taking the following drugs:

• Klor-Con (potassium chloride)
• Urocit-K (potassium citrate)
• K-Phos (potassium acid phosphate or potassium phosphate)

Some other medications that have serious interactions with cyproheptadine include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine), and Matulane (procarbazine)
• Symlin (pramlinitide)
• Parkinson's disease medications like Azilect (rasagiline), Zelapar or Eldepryl (selegeline and selegeline transdermal), and tranylcypromine
• Benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam)
• Opiates like Zohydro and Zotripro (hydrocodone), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), and Avinza, Astromorph, MS Contin, and Kadian (morphine)
• Sleeping medications like Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (eszopiclone), and Sonata (zaleplon)

Cyproheptadine and Alcohol

Both cyproheptadine and alcohol can make you sleepy and cause dehydration and poor concentration.

Therefore, consuming alcoholic beverages while taking cyproheptadine is not recommended because it may make these symptoms worse.

Cyproheptadine and Grapefruit Juice

Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking cyproheptadine.

Grapefruit juice slows down how quickly the body is able to break down cyproheptadine, which could cause levels in the blood to rise dangerously high.