Cyproheptadine

Uses

• Treatment of serotonin syndrome

Administration

• Dosage Forms: 4 mg tab, 2 mg/5ml solution
• Routes of Administration: oral
• Common Trade Names: Periactin or Peritol

Adult Dosing

• initial dose of 12 mg is recommended, followed by 2 mg every two hours until clinical response is seen

Pediatric Dosing

• Children younger than two years can be given approximately 0.06 mg/kg per dose every six hours, if needed (not to exceed 0.25 mg/kg/day).
• Children two to six years can be given 2 mg every six hours, if needed (not to exceed 12 mg/day).
• Children 7 to 14 years can be given 4 mg every six hours, if needed (not to exceed 16 mg/day).

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: B

Renal Dosing

• no recommendations

Hepatic Dosing

• no recommendations

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• hypotension

Common

• sedation

Mechanism of Action

• histamine-1 receptor antagonist with nonspecific 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A antagonistic properties. It also has weak anticholinergic activity.

References

• 1. Boyer EW. Serotonin syndrome. In: UpToDate, Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed on January 11, 2016.)