FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergic rhinitis, allergic skin reactions, cold urticaria, and related allergic conditions.

Brand name Periactin
Rx Forms 2 Route Oral
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 36 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveOct 5, 2023
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ36
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1961
FDA-listed product records ⓘ92
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 22, 2026 🚨Recall on record
⭐ Cyproheptadine at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine that effectively relieves allergic rhinitis, hives, and related allergic conditions by blocking histamine and serotonin. Its most notable effect is drowsiness, so avoid driving or alcohol while taking it. Follow your prescriber's dosing instructions carefully, especially for children, and never use it in newborns, premature infants, or nursing mothers.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Cyproheptadine: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Cyproheptadine — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Cyproheptadine is approved to treat a range of allergic and related conditions across its available oral forms.

  • Perennial allergic rhinitis (year-round nasal allergies) and seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
  • Vasomotor rhinitis (non-allergic nasal congestion and runny nose)
  • Allergic conjunctivitis caused by airborne allergens or foods (itchy, red, watery eyes)
  • Urticaria (hives) and angioedema (swelling under the skin) — mild, uncomplicated cases
  • Cold urticaria (hives triggered by cold exposure)
  • Dermatographism (hives that form when the skin is scratched or rubbed)
  • Allergic reactions to blood or plasma transfusions
  • Adjunctive (supportive) therapy after the acute phase of anaphylaxis has been controlled with epinephrine and other standard treatments
⚙️How it works▾

Cyproheptadine blocks both histamine and serotonin from binding to their receptors in the body. Histamine is the main chemical behind classic allergy symptoms — itching, sneezing, runny nose, and hives. By competing with histamine for its receptor sites, cyproheptadine helps turn those symptoms off. It also has anticholinergic effects (which reduce secretions like a runny nose) and sedative properties, which is why drowsiness is a common side effect.

💊How it's taken▾

Cyproheptadine is taken by mouth, available as a tablet and as an oral solution. It is generally given two to three times a day, and the dose is tailored to each person's age, weight, and how well they respond to treatment. The oral solution is intended primarily for children but is also suitable for adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets.

  • Doses are individualized — your prescriber will set the right amount for you or your child
  • Do not exceed the daily maximum your prescriber specifies; limits differ by age
  • Follow your prescription label closely; if you miss a dose, ask your pharmacist for guidance rather than doubling up
🤒Side effects — in detail▾

The most common side effect is drowsiness, which is often temporary but can be significant. Other effects to be aware of include:

  • Dizziness or poor coordination
  • Dry mouth, nose, or throat
  • Nausea, stomach upset, or constipation
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Fatigue or headache
  • Restlessness or excitability (especially in young children)
  • Thickening of mucus in the airways
  • Blurred vision or sensitivity to light

Serious reactions are less common but real: seek immediate medical attention for signs of liver problems (yellowing skin or eyes), blood disorders (unusual bruising or persistent infections), a fast or irregular heartbeat, difficulty urinating, hallucinations, or seizures.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Drowsiness and impaired alertness: Cyproheptadine can slow your reaction time and mental alertness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
  • Children and overdose: Antihistamine overdose in infants and young children can be life-threatening — possible effects include hallucinations, seizures, and cardiac or respiratory arrest. Keep this medication safely out of reach.
  • Elderly patients: Older adults are at higher risk for dizziness, sedation, and low blood pressure. This drug is contraindicated in elderly or debilitated patients.
  • Sedation added by alcohol and other drugs: Combining cyproheptadine with alcohol, sleep aids, sedatives, or tranquilizers greatly amplifies drowsiness and CNS depression.
  • Young children may react differently: While most people become sleepy, some young children become unusually excited or agitated instead.
🔀What it interacts with▾

Cyproheptadine can interact with several substances that affect the brain or nervous system.

  • MAO inhibitors (certain antidepressants such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine): intensify and prolong the anticholinergic effects of cyproheptadine — these combinations must be avoided
  • Alcohol: significantly increases drowsiness and sedation — avoid drinking while taking this medication
  • CNS depressants (sleep aids, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety medications): additive sedation that can impair your ability to function safely

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • Do not use in newborn or premature infants — risk of serious harm
  • Do not use if you are breastfeeding — antihistamines pass into breast milk and are especially dangerous for newborns and premature infants
  • Do not use if you have angle-closure glaucoma (a type of raised eye pressure)
  • Avoid if you have a stenosing peptic ulcer (a narrowing stomach ulcer), bladder neck obstruction, symptomatic enlarged prostate, or a blockage of the gut outlet (pyloroduodenal obstruction)
  • Elderly or debilitated patients should not take this medication — contraindicated due to higher risks
  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems — the drug is cleared more slowly and may build up
  • Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, especially MAO inhibitors, sedatives, or anything that causes drowsiness
  • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to cyproheptadine or chemically similar medications
🚑If you take too much▾

Taking too much cyproheptadine can cause a wide range of effects — from excessive drowsiness and confusion to dangerous overstimulation, especially in children. Signs may include dry mouth, dilated pupils, flushing, hallucinations, seizures, or difficulty breathing. If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately — do not attempt home treatment without medical guidance.

📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾

Cyproheptadine blocks histamine and serotonin from attaching to their receptors, which reduces allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, hives, and watery eyes. It also has anticholinergic effects — meaning it can reduce secretions and relax smooth muscle — and produces sedation. These combined properties explain both its benefits for allergy relief and many of its side effects, such as dry mouth and drowsiness.

🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

After an oral dose, cyproheptadine is processed and broken down in the body, with at least 40% of the drug's byproducts excreted through the urine. The main metabolite (breakdown product) found in urine is a compound called a quaternary ammonium glucuronide conjugate. Very little unchanged drug is found in the urine of people taking it regularly, meaning the body metabolizes it extensively. People with kidney problems (renal insufficiency) clear the drug more slowly, so it can stay in the body longer.

📦How to store it▾

Dispense in a well-closed container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required). Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Beximco Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

📄 Written from Cyproheptadine’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

72

Supplements & herbs that interact with Cyproheptadine

72 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Cyproheptadine in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 3
  • Moderate · 57
  • Minor · 12
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major HENBANE Major SCOPOLIA Major ALFALFA Moderate ANGEL'S TRUMPET Moderate ANGELICA ARCHANGELICA Moderate ARRACH Moderate BACOPA Moderate +64 more
Every supplement checked against Cyproheptadine — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 3 major · 57 moderate · 12 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Cyproheptadine against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Cyproheptadine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is cyproheptadine actually used for? ▾
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine used mainly for allergies. It can help with nasal allergy symptoms like a runny nose and sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and skin reactions like hives and swelling. It's also used for a few less common conditions, like hives triggered by cold temperatures, and as a follow-up support after a severe allergic reaction has already been treated with epinephrine.
Is it normal to feel really tired after taking this? ▾
Yes — drowsiness is the most common side effect and is expected, especially when you first start taking it. For many people it eases up after a few days. That said, you should avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires sharp focus until you know how it affects you. Alcohol and other sedating medicines will make the drowsiness significantly worse.
Can I give this to my child? ▾
Cyproheptadine is used in children, but age and weight matter a lot when it comes to the right dose. It must never be given to newborns or premature infants. For young children, the oral solution is often easier to use for accurate dosing. Always follow your child's prescriber's instructions exactly, and keep the medication well out of reach — antihistamine overdose in young children can be very serious.
Are there any medicines or drinks I should avoid while taking this? ▾
Yes, a few important ones. Avoid alcohol entirely while taking cyproheptadine — it significantly increases drowsiness and can impair you more than either would alone. Sleep aids, tranquilizers, sedatives, and anti-anxiety medicines have a similar effect. Most importantly, do not take cyproheptadine if you are on an MAO inhibitor antidepressant — that combination can cause serious problems. Make sure your prescriber knows everything else you take.
Can I take this if I'm breastfeeding? ▾
No — cyproheptadine should not be used by nursing mothers. Antihistamines can pass into breast milk, and they carry a higher risk of serious effects in infants, particularly newborns and premature babies. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe alternatives if you need allergy relief while breastfeeding.
What side effects should make me call the doctor right away? ▾
Most side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, or an upset stomach are manageable, but some signs need prompt attention. Call your doctor or seek care right away if you experience hallucinations, a seizure, difficulty urinating, severe irregular heartbeat, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or unusual bruising or bleeding. These can signal serious reactions that need medical evaluation.
Is Cyproheptadine available over the counter? ▾
Cyproheptadine is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
When was Cyproheptadine first available? ▾
Cyproheptadine has been available in the United States since at least 1961, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Cyproheptadine? ▾
Cyproheptadine is supplied by 45 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, Remedyrepack Inc., A-S Medication Solutions.

💬 Answers drafted from Cyproheptadine’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

📊Cyproheptadine supplement interactions72 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerCyproheptadine vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Cyproheptadine NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 How Cyproheptadine comes

Cyproheptadine is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride tablets treat perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis
  • Relieves allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
  • Treats allergic skin reactions including urticaria and angioedema
  • Used adjunctively after the acute phase of anaphylaxis has been controlled
Important instructions
  • Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride tablets are taken by mouth, usually two to three times a day
  • Dose is individualized based on age, weight, and response — follow your prescriber's guidance
  • For young children where precise dosing by body weight is important, the oral syrup or solution may be more appropriate than the tablet
  • Do not exceed the daily maximum dose set by your prescriber
Available strengths 1 strength
4 mg
63 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Oral solution

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Treats perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis
  • Relieves allergic skin reactions including urticaria (hives) and angioedema
  • Used for cold urticaria and dermatographism
  • Used as adjunctive therapy after acute anaphylactic reactions have been controlled
Important instructions
  • Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Oral Solution is intended primarily for children but is also used for adults who cannot swallow tablets
  • Doses are given two to three times a day and adjusted based on age, weight, and individual response
  • cyproheptadine hydrochloride solution dose should be individualized — always follow your prescriber's specific instructions
  • Do not exceed the daily dose limit set by your prescriber; limits differ by age group
Available strengths 1 strength
2 mg/5 mL
19 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

📊 Cyproheptadine across the U.S. market

How Cyproheptadine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
45
Manufacturers
3
Brand names
92
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1961
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (10) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack16%
Remedyrepack Inc.7%
A-S Medication Solutions6%
Quagen Pharmaceuticals Llc6%
Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC5%
Trupharma, Llc3%
Other makers57%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Cyproheptadine is used

A general measure of how commonly Cyproheptadine is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Cyproheptadine is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

854,560
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$11M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Cyproheptadine prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Cyproheptadine ranks #193 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 88% of them.

Where Cyproheptadine ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #193 of 1,596
#188 Ondansetron Injection 901,061 Rx #189 Budesonide Oral Inhala... 893,664 Rx #190 Latanoprost Ophthalmic 879,118 Rx #191 Ceftriaxone Injection 875,273 Rx #192 Tacrolimus 862,723 Rx #193 Cyproheptadine 854,560 Rx #194 Meclizine 846,276 Rx #195 Erythromycin Ophthalmi... 841,932 Rx #196 Lactulose 835,520 Rx #197 Haloperidol 821,226 Rx #198 Hydralazine 805,117 Rx

Utilization by Cyproheptadine product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 4 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Cyproheptadine product — about 64% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

cyproheptadine hydrochloride 4 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

545,873 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 64% of Cyproheptadine prescriptions shown $5.9M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 100 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 866144

cyproheptadine hydrochloride 0.4 MG/ML Oral Solution

308,687 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 36% of Cyproheptadine prescriptions shown $5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $16 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 16 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 866021

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Cyproheptadine, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 19 of 116 listed Cyproheptadine NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Cyproheptadine products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Cyproheptadine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 92 of 92 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 92 Cyproheptadine NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Cyproheptadine RxCUI 3013 2 dose forms · 2 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 702213 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.4 MG/ML RxCUI 866021
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 371670 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 4 MG RxCUI 866144

Look up RxCUI 3013 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Periactin

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Bryant Ranch Prepack 14 Remedyrepack Inc. 6 A-S Medication Solutions 5 Quagen Pharmaceuticals Llc 5 Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC 4 Trupharma, Llc 3 AvPAK 3 Chartwell RX, LLC 3 QPharma Inc 3 PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 2 Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited 2 Strides Pharma Science Limited 2 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 2 Proficient Rx LP 2 Atlantic Biologicals Corp. 2 Golden State Medical Supply 2 Ingenus Pharmaceuticals LLC 2 Quality Care Products, LLC 1 Apnar Pharma 1 Atlantic Biological Corp. 1 Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 1 Unichem Pharmaceuticals (usa), Inc. 1 Tris Pharma Inc 1

…and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Oct 5, 2023
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Cyproheptadine.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Cyproheptadine after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
36
NDC products indexed
92
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
45
Linked representative label ⓘ
Chartwell RX, LLC
Linked label effective
Oct 5, 2023
Composite sections available
16
Linked SPL Set ID
37fe7264-4d45-4d6c-ac13-40fcd1d82351
Linked SPL Document ID
06fd9a7b-3b04-6e0c-e063-6394a90aba46
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 36 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Chartwell RX, LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.