Cyproheptadine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 10, 2024.

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Reaction

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Pruritus

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Conjunctivitis

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Urticaria

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Dermatographism

Initial dose: 4 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 4 to 20 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Reaction

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pruritus

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Conjunctivitis

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Urticaria

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dermatographism

WEIGHT-BASED OR BODY SURFACE AREA (BSA) DOSING:
Pediatric patients: 0.25 mg/kg orally per day (given in divided doses) OR 8 mg/m2 orally per day (given in divided doses)

FIXED DOSING:
2 to 6 years: 2 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 12 mg/day

7 to 14 years: 4 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

• Maximum dose: 16 mg/day

Comments:

• Doses should be individualized, with doses based on response and patient size.
• Many patients require a daily dose of 12 to 16 mg.
• Some patients need up to 32 mg/day to attain relief.

Uses:

• Adjunctive agent to epinephrine and other standard measures AFTER acute anaphylactic reaction manifestations have been controlled
• Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods
• Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• Cold urticaria
• Dermatographism
• Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of angioedema and urticaria
• Perennial/seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Hypersensitivity to the active component or to any of the ingredients
• MAO inhibitor treatment
• Newborn or premature infants
• Older, debilitated patients
• Patients who are nursing
• Patients with bladder neck obstruction
• Pyloroduodenal obstruction
• Stenosing peptic ulcer
• Symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 2 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Oral solution/syrup formulations may be used in adults who cannot swallow tablets.

Storage requirements:

• Oral solution/syrup: Protect from light.

Patient advice:

• Inform patients that this drug may cause drowsiness and somnolence, and they should avoid driving or operating machinery if these side effects occur.
• Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

• What drugs can cause serotonin syndrome?

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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