Cyproheptadine is used as an antihistamine and antiserotonergic for the same purposes for which the other blockers of H1 receptors are used and in particular in the treatment of rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis both followed by redness and itching.
It is commonly used when patients have some allergic dermatitis conditions, such as: atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, eczema, dermatitis eczematoid and dermographism. One more condition associated with this medicine as well as with the antiserotonergic, is the treatment and prophylaxis of migraine. It is also used for stimulating appetite in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
What is Cyproheptadine?
Cyproheptadine is an antagonist of histamine (a substance that causes intense vasodilatation at capillary level, causing a contraction of the bronchial and gastrointestinal smooth muscle, stimulates gastric, salivary and lacrimal secretion and it is an important humoral factor in allergic reactions) and serotonin (a substance produced by platelets, active as a vasoconstrictor and as a neurotransmitter, which participates in neuroendocrine control of the hypothalamic-pituitary), effective as a blocker of H1 receptors (i.e. receptors which mediate inflammatory responses).
How should Cyproheptadine be taken?
Cyproheptadine is administered orally. It is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Side effects associated with Cyproheptadine
The main side effect due to the use of this drug is the potassium channel that leads to cardiac toxicity and ventricular arrhythmias. Other reported effects are drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, urinary retention, rash, abdominal pain, dizziness, hypotension and dysfunctions in the menstrual cycle.
There have been reported significant interactions with certain antibiotics (increased plasma concentration of the drug and other toxic effects). Interactions may occur even with the drugs used for sedation, whose sedative effect may be increased.
