Warnings

Cyproheptadine

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Mar 20, 2025

Warnings

Cyproheptadine Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Cyproheptadine can cause or worsen health problems in certain high-risk individuals. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for your symptoms if you are at increased risk of adverse reactions from cyproheptadine use. Some of the risks of taking cyproheptadine include:

RISKS IN CHILDREN: Antihistamines can cause over-excitation and diminished mental alertness in children. An overdose of antihistamines, especially in infants and young children, can lead to serious adverse effects, including hallucinations, central nervous system (CNS) depression, seizures, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, and death. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children. Do not give cyproheptadine to a child younger than 2 years of age.
INTERACTIONS WITH CNS DEPRESSANTS: Taking antihistamines with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants such as sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, and antianxiety drugs can have additive effects, resulting in extreme sleepiness. Give your doctor a complete list of your medications before starting cyproheptadine to avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions.
REDUCED MENTAL ALERTNESS: Cyproheptadine can reduce mental alertness and affect motor coordination. Be careful while driving, operating machinery, and doing other potentially hazardous activities until you know how it affects you. Side effects of antihistamines, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure, are more likely in older adults.

Precautions Before Starting Cyproheptadine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to cyproheptadine, any of the active or inactive ingredients in cyproheptadine tablets or solution, other antihistamines, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Cyproheptadine may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, glaucoma, stomach ulcers, enlarged prostate, overactive thyroid gland, high blood pressure, heart disease, or seizures.

If you are an older adult (age 65 or older), talk to your doctor about the risks versus benefits of taking cyproheptadine. There may be other safer medicines available to treat your symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to get pregnant soon. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

Precautions During Use of Cyproheptadine

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on cyproheptadine.

Cyproheptadine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything that requires full mental alertness and clear vision until you know how this medicine affects you.

Avoid drinking alcohol while on cyproheptadine. Alcohol can make adverse effects like sleepiness and dizziness worse.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on cyproheptadine.

Tell all your healthcare providers you are on cyproheptadine, including before any surgery or dental treatment.

Cyproheptadine Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how cyproheptadine works. Possible interactions between cyproheptadine and other medicines can increase the risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may change your dose, switch you to a different medication, and/or monitor you closely for adverse effects if there are known interactions between cyproheptadine and your other medications. Some of the medicines that can interact with cyproheptadine include:

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
Other antihistamines
Alcohol and other CNS depressants, such as sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, and anxiety medications

The above list may not contain all the potential interactions with cyproheptadine. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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