Cyproheptadine

[drjsiems]

Does any one know of any side effects of this drug when used on a long-term basis? Also, can it work for a while and after a while not serve as an appetite stimulator as it once did?

Thanks,
Judy

 

[BJM]

Check some of the other posts here mentioning cyproheptadine

- agitation, constipation, and lethergy were mentioned
- several notes about giving something for nauseau if you are giving anything to stimulate appetite.

 

[Sandy and Brie]

I've used cyproheptadine on and off with Vandow who has pancreatitis for over two years. I can't say it is long term because I never have given it to him on a daily basis. I use it as needed. Maybe twice a week and I only give it to him once a day. It does make him restless for up to 4 to 5 hours. I wouldn't say it makes him agitated just restless. There have been times when he would get it and it didn't seem to work. I notice that a half tab is too much for him. At a half tab he would be more restless. A quarter tab didn't really do anything. I now do between a half and a quarter. Sometimes I think when it doesn't seem to work his nausea is really bad. He normally gets zofran twice a day for nausea. When the cypro doesn't seem to work and I think he is more nauseated I give cerenia as well. I've thought in the past that Vandow was building up a tolerance but I can't say for sure. We did go through a period that I was convinced it stopped working. Now looking back I think he was just feeling really bad. Maybe more nauseated and in pain. The last few weeks it has been working great. Why are you giving the cypro?

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

I used Cypro with my Gabby as an appetite stimulant when her appetite was waning due to Stomach cancer. One thing I discovered early is that less is more with Cypro--I was breaking the tiny tablets up into quarters and thirds, which is hard to get an exact dose, but you do want to use the lowest amount needed, which is usually less than half a tablet. You just need to judge based on what is working. If you get over a half a tablet twice a day, you may need to consider other options (depending on what your cat's condition is). I can tell you it's frustrating (especially when the tablet splinters on you, and you have to piece together splinters to approximate the right dose) but do the best you can, and a very sharp knife definitely helps.

 

[Katlyn]

I use 1/8 to 1/4 tab with Kitten maybe a few times a week. I do not notice any change in her behavior. It is a human antihistamine so it helps a bit with her allergies. I make sure I have a nausea med like Ondansetron just incase she is queasy. I love this med.