Cyproheptadine
Uses
- Treatment of serotonin syndrome
Administration
- Dosage Forms: 4mg tab, 2mg/5ml solution
- Routes of Administration: oral
- Common Trade Names: Periactin or Peritol
Adult Dosing
- initial dose of 12mg is recommended, followed by 2mg every two hours until clinical response is seen
Pediatric Dosing
- Children younger than two years can be given approximately 0.06mg/kg per dose every six hours, if needed (not to exceed 0.25mg/kg/day).
- Children two to six years can be given 2mg every six hours, if needed (not to exceed 12mg/day).
- Children 7 to 14 years can be given 4mg every six hours, if needed (not to exceed 16mg/day).
Special Populations
Renal Dosing
- No recommendations
Hepatic Dosing
- No recommendations
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- Treatment in newborns or nursing mothers
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Hypotension
Common
- Sedation
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 1-4 hours
- Metabolism: Liver
- Excretion: Urine
Mechanism of Action
- Histamine-1 receptor antagonist
- 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A (seritonin) antagonistic properties
- Weak anticholinergic activity
Comments
See Also
References
- 1. Boyer EW. Serotonin syndrome. In: UpToDate, Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed on January 11, 2016.)