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Can you take Cyproheptadine with Ganaxolone?

1 drug interaction and 17 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

cyproheptadine ganaxolone

Applies to: cyproheptadine and ganaxolone

Using cyproheptadine together with ganaxolone may increase side effects such as:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • confusion
  • difficulty concentrating

Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.

What to do: You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

cyproheptadine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: cyproheptadine

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cyproheptadine such as:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • difficulty concentrating

Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.

You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cyproheptadine.

Do not use more than the recommended dose of cyproheptadine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Moderate:

ganaxolone Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: ganaxolone

Ganaxolone must be taken with food to ensure adequate absorption of the medication.

It is best to avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol, as it can increase drowsiness or other nervous system side effects of ganaxolone. You should also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

15 potential interactions Applies to: 13 conditions, including Depression, Asthma, COPD, Hypotension, and Hyperthyroidism.

Alcoholism

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Ganaxolone can cause somnolence and sedation; other CNS depressants (including alcohol) could potentiate these effects. Caution is advised when using this agent in patients with alcohol disorders. Patients should be monitored for somnolence and sedation, and patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery until they know how ganaxolone will affect them.

Asthma

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.

It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.

COPD

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.

It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Depression

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

Hyperthyroidism

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.

Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.

Hypotension

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.

Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The effect of liver dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics of ganaxolone has not been studied; since this drug undergoes hepatic clearance, liver dysfunction can increase ganaxolone exposure. Caution is advised in patients with impaired liver function; they should be monitored for side effects and may require a reduced dosage of ganaxolone.

Psychosis

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.

Minor:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a minor potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The effect of renal dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics of ganaxolone has not been studied; however, since renal excretion is a minor elimination pathway, impaired renal function is unlikely to increase ganaxolone exposures significantly. Caution is recommended in these patients.

Urinary Retention

Moderate:

cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.

Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.

More resources

cyproheptadine

A total of 332 drugs are known to interact with cyproheptadine.

ganaxolone

A total of 423 drugs are known to interact with ganaxolone.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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