Cyproheptadine (Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride) - Summary

CYPROHEPTADINE SUMMARY

Cyproheptadine HCl is an antihistaminic and antiserotonergic agent.

Cyproheptadine is indicated for the following:

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

Dermatographism

As therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after the acute manifestations have been controlled.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Cyproheptadine

Short-term cyproheptadine therapy in underweight children: effects on growth and serum insulin-like growth factor-I. [2009.05]
BACKGROUND: Cyproheptadine, an appetite stimulant, has been used in poor-appetite underweight children. Its beneficial effects on enhancing growth rate have been demonstrated. In contrast, an adverse effect on blunting growth hormone (GH) secretion has also been reported. To date, however, its effect on insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I), a GH-mediated growth factor, has not been documented. AIM: To examine the effect of cyproheptadine therapy on growth and serum IGF-I in underweight children... CONCLUSION: Cyproheptadine therapy in underweight children increased caloric intake and serum IGF-I concentration and consequently enhanced growth velocity.

Cyproheptadine for the treatment of functional abdominal pain in childhood: a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial. [2008.12]
AIM: The management of functional abdominal pain (FAP) in children and adolescents is challenging for health care professionals, and there are only limited or inconclusive studies of pharmacologic or behavioral therapy in childhood FAP. The objective of this randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was to determine the potential efficacy and safety of cyproheptadine in the treatment of pediatric FAP... CONCLUSION: Among children with functional abdominal pain, cyproheptadine is enough effective to improve the intensity and frequency of abdominal pain in a short-term period.

Cyproheptadine is an effective appetite stimulant in cystic fibrosis. [2004.08]
Chronic pulmonary infection and intestinal malabsorption often lead to malnutrition in children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Appetite stimulants, along with provision of adequate calories, may aid in overcoming nutritional deficits, allowing a better prognosis... In conclusion, CH appears to be an effective appetite stimulant with minimal side effects in children and adults with CF.

Cyproheptadine in the treatment of autistic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. [2004.04]
OBJECTIVE: Autism is a childhood-onset disorder of unknown, possibly of multiple aetiologies. The core symptoms of autism are abnormalities in social interaction, communication and behaviour. The involvement of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT has been suggested in neuropsychiatric disorders and particularly in autistic disorder. Increased platelet 5-HT levels were found in 40% of the autistic population, suggesting that hyperserotonaemia may be a pathologic factor in infantile autism. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the efficacy of cyproheptadine, a 5-HT2 antagonist in the treatment of autistic disorder. In this 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed the effects of cyproheptadine plus haloperidol in the treatment of autistic disorder... CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the combination of cyproheptadine with a conventional antipsychotic may be superior to conventional antipsychotic alone for children with autistic disorder. However the results need confirmation by a larger randomized controlled trial.

Effects of the 5HT antagonist cyproheptadine on neuropsychological function in chronic schizophrenia. [2002.01.01]
This study tests the hypothesis that the ability of atypical neuroleptics to improve negative symptoms is due to 5HT-receptor antagonism and enhanced frontal lobe function... The results indicate that 5HT2C receptors selectively modulate speed and motor control mechanisms related to frontal lobe functions but this was not associated with changes in symptoms.

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Clinical Trials Related to Cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine and Megestrol in Preventing Weight Loss in Children With Cachexia Caused By Cancer or Cancer Treatment [Completed]
RATIONALE: Cyproheptadine and megestrol may improve appetite and help prevent weight loss in children with cancer.

PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well cyproheptadine and megestrol work in improving appetite and preventing weight loss in children with cachexia caused by cancer or cancer treatment.

Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride With or Without Nutritional Supplementation in Treating Young Patients With Weight Loss Caused by Cancer or Cancer Treatment [Not yet recruiting]
RATIONALE: Cyproheptadine hydrochloride may help improve appetite and lessen weight loss caused by cancer or cancer treatment. It is not yet known whether cyproheptadine hydrochloride is more effective with or without nutritional supplementation in improving weight and quality of life of young patients with weight loss caused by cancer or cancer treatment.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying cyproheptadine hydrochloride to see how well it works when given together with or without nutritional supplementation in treating young patients with weight loss caused by cancer or cancer treatment.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Cyproheptadine review by 20 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Allergy to trauma to the face.
Dosage & duration:		25 (dosage frequency: i took it every night) for the period of everyday for about 2 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		What I really like about this medication is that it cleared up my sinuses. I no longer experience the tingling feeling that I had in my cheeks and around my lip area. I am also very happy that the medication helped me with my allergies to dust and to the effects of dry air on my nose. It stopped my nightly nose bleeds.
Side effects:		There were two side effects to the drug. The first side effect was that I was very drowsy. I knew that this would be a side effect and so that is why I took the medication about a half hour to an hour before bed. Another side effect was an increase in appetite. I gained a few pounds because of an increase in appetite.
Comments:		For the treatment I was given a few options as to how I could take the medication. One option was to take 1/4 of the medicine at night and take a tablet of Zyrtec during the day time. Another option was that I could take 1/4 at night without the Zyrtec during the day. I was also allowed to take 1/2 a table to 1 whole tablet daily. I tried all of these and the one that worked the best for me was taking 1/2 a tablet at night everyday.