Wikipedia

Cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine, sold under the brand name Periactin among others, is a first-generation antihistamine with additional anticholinergic, antiserotonergic, and local anesthetic properties.

Cyproheptadine
Clinical data
Pronunciation/ˌsaɪproʊˈhɛptədiːn/[1]
Trade namesPeriactin, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682541
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: A
Routes of
administration		Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding96 to 99%
MetabolismLiver,[3][4] mostly CYP3A4 mediated.
Elimination half-life8.6 hours[2]
ExcretionFaecal (2–20%; of which, 34% as unchanged drug) and renal (40%; none as unchanged drug)[3][4]
Identifiers
  • 4-(5H-Dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-methylpiperidine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.004.482 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC21H21N
Molar mass287.406 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • c43\C(=C1/CCN(C)CC1)c2ccccc2\C=C/c3cccc4
  • InChI=1S/C21H21N/c1-22-14-12-18(13-15-22)21-19-8-4-2-6-16(19)10-11-17-7-3-5-9-20(17)21/h2-11H,12-15H2,1H3 checkY
  • Key:JJCFRYNCJDLXIK-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  (verify)

It was patented in 1959 and came into medical use in 1961.[5] In 2021, it was the 280th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 800,000 prescriptions.[6][7]

Medical uses

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Periactin (cyproheptadine) 4 mg tablets
 
Cyproheptadine's 3D molecular structure represented as space-filling model

Cyproheptadine is used to treat allergic reactions (specifically hay fever).[8] There is evidence supporting its use for allergies, but second generation antihistamines such as ketotifen and loratadine have shown equal results with fewer side effects.[9]

It is also used as a preventive treatment against migraine. In a 2013 study the frequency of migraine was dramatically reduced in patients within 7 to 10 days after starting treatment. The average frequency of migraine attacks in these patients before administration was 8.7 times per month, this was decreased to 3.1 times per month at 3 months after the start of treatment.[9][10] This use is on the label in the UK and some other countries.

It is also used off-label in the treatment of cyclical vomiting syndrome in infants; the only evidence for this use comes from retrospective studies.[11]

Cyproheptadine is sometimes used off-label to improve akathisia in people on antipsychotic medications.[12]

It is used off-label to treat various dermatological conditions, including psychogenic itch,[13] drug-induced hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating),[14] and prevention of blister formation for some people with epidermolysis bullosa simplex.[15]

One of the effects of the drug is increased appetite and weight gain, which has led to its use (off-label in the USA) for this purpose in children who are wasting as well as people with cystic fibrosis.[16][17][18][19]

It is also used off-label in the management of moderate to severe cases of serotonin syndrome, a complex of symptoms associated with the use of serotonergic drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (and monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and in cases of high levels of serotonin in the blood resulting from a serotonin-producing carcinoid tumor.[20][21]

Cyproheptadine has sedative effects and can be used to treat insomnia similarly to other centrally-acting antihistamines.[22][23][24][25] The recommended dose for this use is 4 to 8 mg.[23]

Adverse effects

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Adverse effects include:[3][4]

  • Sedation and sleepiness (often transient)
  • Dizziness
  • Disturbed coordination
  • Confusion
  • Restlessness
  • Excitation
  • Nervousness
  • Tremor
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Paresthesias
  • Neuritis
  • Convulsions
  • Euphoria
  • Hallucinations
  • Hysteria
  • Faintness
  • Allergic manifestation of rash and edema
  • Diaphoresis
  • Urticaria
  • Photosensitivity
  • Acute labyrinthitis
  • Diplopia (seeing double)
  • Vertigo
  • Tinnitus
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Palpitation
  • Extrasystoles
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Blood dyscrasias such as leukopenia, agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia
  • Cholestasis
  • Hepatic (liver) side effects such as:
  • Epigastric distress
  • Anorexia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anticholinergic side effects such as:
    • Blurred vision
    • Constipation
    • Xerostomia (dry mouth)
    • Tachycardia (high heart rate)
    • Urinary retention
    • Difficulty passing urine
    • Nasal congestion
    • Nasal or throat dryness
  • Urinary frequency
  • Early menses
  • Thickening of bronchial secretions
  • Tightness of chest and wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain

Overdose

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Gastric decontamination measures such as activated charcoal are sometimes recommended in cases of overdose. The symptoms are usually indicative of CNS depression (or conversely CNS stimulation in some) and excess anticholinergic side effects. The LD50 in mice is 123 mg/kg and 295 mg/kg in rats.[3][4]

Pharmacology

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Pharmacodynamics

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Cyproheptadine[27]
Site Ki (nM)[a] Action[b] Species Ref.
H1 0.06 ↓ Human
H2 ND ND
H3 >10,000 Human
H4 202 Human
M1 12 ↓ Human
M2 7 ↓ Human
M3 12 ↓ Human
M4 8 ↓ Human
M5 11.8 ↓ Human
5-HT1A 59 ↓ Human
5-HT2A 1.67 ↓ Human
5-HT2B 1.54 ↓ Human
5-HT2C 2.23 ↓ Human
5-HT3 228 Mouse
5-HT6 142 Human
5-HT7 123 Human
D1 117 Human
D2 112 ↓ Human
D3 8 Human
SERTTooltip Serotonin transporter 4,100 Rat
NETTooltip Norepinephrine transporter 290 Rat
DATTooltip Dopamine transporter ND ND
  1. ^ The smaller the equilibrium constant, the more strongly the drug binds to the site.
  2. ^
    • ↑ Agonist
    • ↓ Antagonist

Cyproheptadine is a very potent antihistamine or inverse agonist of the H1 receptor. At higher concentrations, it also has anticholinergic, antiserotonergic, and antidopaminergic activities. Of the serotonin receptors, it is an especially potent antagonist of the 5-HT2 receptors. This is thought to underlie its effectiveness in the treatment of serotonin syndrome.[28] However, it is possible that blockade of 5-HT1 receptors may also contribute to its effectiveness in serotonin syndrome.[29] Cyproheptadine has been reported to block 85% of 5-HT2 receptors in the human brain at a dose of 4 mg three times per day (12 mg/day total) and to block 95% of 5-HT2 receptors in the human brain at a dose of 6 mg three times per day (18 mg/day total) as measured with positron emission tomography (PET).[30] The dose of cyproheptadine recommended to ensure blockade of the 5-HT2 receptors for serotonin syndrome is 20 to 30 mg.[28] Besides its activity at neurotransmitter targets, cyproheptadine has been reported to possess weak antiandrogenic activity.[31]

Pharmacokinetics

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Cyproheptadine is well-absorbed following oral ingestion, with peak plasma levels occurring after 1 to 3 hours.[32] Its terminal half-life when taken orally is approximately 8 hours.[2]

Chemistry

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Cyproheptadine is a tricyclic benzocycloheptene and is closely related to pizotifen and ketotifen as well as to tricyclic antidepressants.

Research

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Cyproheptadine was studied in one small trial as an adjunct in people with schizophrenia whose condition was stable and were on other medication; while attention and verbal fluency appeared to be improved, the study was too small to draw generalizations from.[33] It has also been studied as an adjuvant in two other trials in people with schizophrenia, around fifty people overall, and did not appear to have an effect.[34]

There have been some trials to see if cyproheptadine could reduce sexual dysfunction caused by SSRI and antipsychotic medications.[35]

Cyproheptadine has been studied for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.[34]

Veterinary use

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Cyproheptadine is used in cats as an appetite stimulant[36][37]: 1371  and as an adjunct in the treatment of asthma.[38] Possible adverse effects include excitement and aggressive behavior.[39] The elimination half-life of cyproheptadine in cats is 12 hours.[38]

Cyproheptadine is a second line treatment for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses.[40][41]

References

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  1. ^ "Cyproheptadine". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  2. ^ a b Gunja N, Collins M, Graudins A (2004). "A comparison of the pharmacokinetics of oral and sublingual cyproheptadine". Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology. 42 (1): 79–83. doi:10.1081/clt-120028749. PMID 15083941. S2CID 20196551.
  3. ^ a b c d "Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride tablet [Boscogen, Inc.]" (PDF). DailyMed. U.S. National Library of Medicine. November 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "Product Information: Periactin (cyproheptadine hydrochloride)" (PDF). Aspen Pharmacare Australia. Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd. 17 November 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  5. ^ Fischer J, Ganellin CR (2006). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. John Wiley & Sons. p. 547. ISBN 9783527607495.
  6. ^ "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Cyproheptadine - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Cyproheptadine". MedlinePlus Drug Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  9. ^ a b De Bruyne P, Christiaens T, Boussery K, Mehuys E, Van Winckel M (January 2017). "Are antihistamines effective in children? A review of the evidence". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 102 (1): 56–60. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2015-310416. PMID 27335428. S2CID 21185048.
  10. ^ Saito Y, Yamanaka G, Shimomura H, Shiraishi K, Nakazawa T, Kato F, et al. (May 2017). "Reconsideration of the diagnosis and treatment of childhood migraine: A practical review of clinical experiences". Brain & Development. 39 (5): 386–394. doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2016.11.011. PMID 27993427. S2CID 34703034.
  11. ^ Salvatore S, Barberi S, Borrelli O, Castellazzi A, Di Mauro D, Di Mauro G, et al. (July 2016). "Pharmacological interventions on early functional gastrointestinal disorders". Italian Journal of Pediatrics. 42 (1): 68. doi:10.1186/s13052-016-0272-5. PMC 4947301. PMID 27423188.
  12. ^ Taylor DM, Paton C, Kapur S (2015). The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry. John Wiley & Sons. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-118-75457-3.
  13. ^ Szepietowski JC, Reszke R (2016). "Psychogenic Itch Management". Current Problems in Dermatology. 50: 124–132. doi:10.1159/000446055. ISBN 978-3-318-05888-8. PMID 27578081.
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  15. ^ So JY, Teng J (1993). "Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex". In Adam MP, Everman DB, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJ, Gripp KW, Amemiya A (eds.). GeneReviews. University of Washington, Seattle. PMID 20301543.
  16. ^ "Ciproheptadina, estimulante del apetito" [Cyproheptadine, appetite stimulant]. vademecum.es (in Spanish).
  17. ^ "Bioplex NF". Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  18. ^ Harrison ME, Norris ML, Robinson A, Spettigue W, Morrissey M, Isserlin L (June 2019). "Use of cyproheptadine to stimulate appetite and body weight gain: A systematic review". Appetite. 137: 62–72. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2019.02.012. PMID 30825493. S2CID 72333631.
  19. ^ Kim SY, Yun JM, Lee JW, Cho YG, Cho KH, Park YG, Cho B (October 2021). "Efficacy and Tolerability of Cyproheptadine in Poor Appetite: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study". Clinical Therapeutics. 43 (10): 1757–1772. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.08.001. PMID 34509304. S2CID 237493456.
  20. ^ Rossi S, ed. (2013). Australian Medicines Handbook (2013 ed.). Adelaide: The Australian Medicines Handbook Unit Trust. ISBN 978-0-9805790-9-3.
  21. ^ Iqbal MM, Basil MJ, Kaplan J, Iqbal MT (November 2012). "Overview of serotonin syndrome". Annals of Clinical Psychiatry. 24 (4): 310–318. PMID 23145389.
  22. ^ Badr B, Naguy A (October 2022). "Cyproheptadine: a psychopharmacological treasure trove?". CNS Spectrums. 27 (5): 533–535. doi:10.1017/S1092852921000250. PMID 33632345.
  23. ^ a b Ekambaram V, Owens J (January 2021). "Medications Used for Pediatric Insomnia". Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 30 (1): 85–99. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2020.09.001. PMID 33223070. S2CID 227131545.
  24. ^ Rombaut NE (1995). Antihistamines and Sedation: Methods and Measures (Thesis). OCLC 59660401. ProQuest 301570569.
  25. ^ Wanderer AA, St Pierre JP, Ellis EF (October 1977). "Primary acquired cold urticaria. Double-blind comparative study of treatment with cyproheptadine, chlorpheniramine, and placebo". Archives of Dermatology. 113 (10): 1375–1377. doi:10.1001/archderm.113.10.1375. PMID 334082.
  26. ^ Chertoff J, Alam S, Clark V (July 2014). "Cyproheptadine-Induced Acute Liver Failure". ACG Case Reports Journal. 1 (4): 212–213. doi:10.14309/crj.2014.56. PMC 4286888. PMID 25580444.
  27. ^ Roth BL, Driscol J. "PDSP Ki Database". Psychoactive Drug Screening Program (PDSP). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the United States National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  28. ^ a b Gillman PK (1999). "The serotonin syndrome and its treatment". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 13 (1): 100–109. doi:10.1177/026988119901300111. PMID 10221364. S2CID 17640246.
  29. ^ Sporer KA (August 1995). "The serotonin syndrome. Implicated drugs, pathophysiology and management". Drug Safety. 13 (2): 94–104. doi:10.2165/00002018-199513020-00004. PMID 7576268. S2CID 19809259.
  30. ^ Kapur S, Zipursky RB, Jones C, Wilson AA, DaSilva JD, Houle S (June 1997). "Cyproheptadine: a potent in vivo serotonin antagonist". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 154 (6): 884a–884. doi:10.1176/ajp.154.6.884a. PMID 9167527.
  31. ^ Pucci E, Petraglia F (December 1997). "Treatment of androgen excess in females: yesterday, today and tomorrow". Gynecological Endocrinology. 11 (6): 411–433. doi:10.3109/09513599709152569. PMID 9476091.
  32. ^ Murray L, Daly F, McCoubrie DM, Cadogan M (15 January 2011). Toxicology Handbook. Elsevier Australia. p. 388. ISBN 978-0-7295-3939-5. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  33. ^ Buoli M, Altamura AC (March 2015). "May non-antipsychotic drugs improve cognition of schizophrenia patients?". Pharmacopsychiatry. 48 (2): 41–50. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1396801. PMID 25584772. S2CID 19202816.
  34. ^ a b Dabaghzadeh F, Khalili H, Ghaeli P, Dashti-Khavidaki S (December 2012). "Potential benefits of cyproheptadine in HIV-positive patients under treatment with antiretroviral drugs including efavirenz". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 13 (18): 2613–2624. doi:10.1517/14656566.2012.742887. PMID 23140169. S2CID 25769557.
  35. ^ Nunes LV, Moreira HC, Razzouk D, Nunes SO, Mari J (2012). "Strategies for the treatment of antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction and/or hyperprolactinemia among patients of the schizophrenia spectrum: a review". Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 38 (3): 281–301. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2011.606883. PMID 22533871. S2CID 23406005.
  36. ^ Agnew W, Korman R (September 2014). "Pharmacological appetite stimulation: rational choices in the inappetent cat". Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 16 (9): 749–756. doi:10.1177/1098612X14545273. PMC 11185246. PMID 25146662. S2CID 37126352.
  37. ^ Gupta RC, ed. (2012). Veterinary Toxicology : Basic and Clinical Principles (2 ed.). Amsterdam Boston: Academic Press. pp. xii+1438. ISBN 978-0-12-385926-6. OCLC 794491298.
  38. ^ a b Dowling PM (8 February 2005). "Systemic Therapy of Airway Disease: Cyproheptadine". In Kahn CM, Line S, Aiello SE (eds.). The Merck Veterinary Manual (9th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-911910-50-6. Retrieved on 26 October 2008.
  39. ^ Dowling PM (8 February 2005). "Drugs Affecting Appetite". In Kahn CM, Line S, Aiello SE (eds.). The Merck Veterinary Manual (9th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-911910-50-6. Retrieved on 26 October 2008.
  40. ^ Durham AE (April 2017). "Therapeutics for Equine Endocrine Disorders". The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice. 33 (1): 127–139. doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2016.11.003. PMID 28190613.
  41. ^ Kritchevsky JE (July 2019). "Hirsutism Associated with Adenomas of the Pars Intermedia". Merck Vet Manual. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
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