How to Use Periactin

Periactin is the brand name of the drug cyproheptadine, a prescription medication recommended to allergy sufferers as well as patients diagnosed with a cold. It is a histamine blocker that controls allergy and cold symptoms. Symptoms that are managed with the use of Periactin include sneezing, watery eyes, hives, coughing and itching. Follow the directions of your doctor implicitly when using Periactin.

Instructions

1. Get a prescription from your doctor if he determines that Periactin can help relieve your cold or allergy symptoms. Periactin is available as a syrup for pediatric patients or patients that have difficulty swallowing tablets. It also comes in the form of 4 mg tablets.

2. Follow the dosage amount recommended by your doctor. On average, your physician will likely recommend you take between 12 mg to 16 mg of the medicine each day. However, the therapeutic range for adults is anywhere from 4 mg to 20 mg daily. Pediatric patients will be given between 2 mg to 4 mg of the drug daily to control symptoms.

3. Take Periactin with or without food. You should drink an entire glass of water with your dose. You'll likely be directed to take each 4 mg tablet every 4 to 6 hours throughout the day.

4. Report any side effects to your doctor you may have when taking Periactin. Side effects could include dizziness, dry mouth, headache, incontinence and fatigue. Drinking alcohol can worsen your side effects. If you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, seek out emergency care right away.

Tips & Warnings

• Periactin has been used by some doctors as an appetite stimulant to help underweight individuals gain weight. This indication has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

References

• Information on Periactin
• Cyproheptadine