Peritol

Peritol exhibits pronounced antihistamine, antiallergic, and antiserotonin activity.

The active component of the drug is the active substance cyproheptadine, which has a powerful antagonistic effect on some allergic mediators - serotonin, and also histamine with acetylcholine. [ 1 ]

The therapeutic effect of the drug helps to prevent the occurrence of allergies in advance or significantly alleviate the patient's already existing allergic symptoms. [ 2 ]

Indications Peritol

It is used for the following disorders:

• urticaria, which has an active or chronic form;
• hay fever;
• serum sickness;
• rhinitis of vasomotor type;
• Quincke's edema;
• eczema, itching or toxicoderma;
• dermatitis of eczematous, atopic or contact nature;
• bites of various insects;
• neurodermatitis;
• anorexia of various origins (idiopathic, nervous, etc.);
• headaches of vascular etiology (histamine headaches or migraines);
• the body is in a state of exhaustion (due to chronic pathologies, past infections, etc.).

Release form

The medicinal element is released in the form of tablets (20 pieces) or syrup (in 0.1 l bottles).

Pharmacodynamics

In addition to the antiallergic effect, the medication exhibits anticholinergic, sedative, antipruritic and antiexudative effects.

Cyproheptadine has a positive effect by stimulating appetite; in people with Cushingoid syndrome, the substance blocks the production of ACTH; in the case of acromegaly, the drug suppresses the hypersecretion of STH.

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, the drug is actively and extensively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The intraplasmic Cmax level is reached within 2 hours, maintaining therapeutic values for 4-6 hours.

It is widely distributed within the body; some of the drug is found in the central nervous system.

The processes of drug metabolism are realized inside the liver. After a single oral administration of 4 mg of the drug, 2-20% of its volume is excreted through the intestines, and another 40% is excreted through the kidneys (most of it in the form of glucuronic acid conjugates).

In case of kidney disease, the elimination of cyproheptadine is weakened.

At this time, it has not been possible to determine whether cyproheptadine is able to cross the placenta and be excreted in maternal milk.

Dosing and administration

The medication must be taken orally, both in tablets and in syrup form. Given the likelihood of developing a sedative effect (especially at the initial stage of treatment), it is recommended to use the drug in the evening, after meals.

Adults are often prescribed a daily dose of 12 mg, which must be divided into 3 doses (both for syrup and tablets); the maximum daily dose of the drug is 32 mg.

In case of chronic urticaria, it is necessary to use 2 mg of the drug 3 times a day.

In case of an active migraine phase, 4 mg of Peritol is administered once. If the desired effect is not achieved, the above dosage should be taken again after half an hour. In general, a maximum of 8 mg of the medication can be administered over a period of 4-6 hours.

When treating any type of anorexia, it is necessary to administer 12 mg of the drug 3 times a day.

If an additional dose is required, it is administered before bedtime. A maximum of 16 mg of the drug is allowed per day.

Maintenance therapy is usually performed with the administration of 12 mg per day (in 3 doses).

For a child, the daily dose (both in syrup and tablets) is divided into 2-3 doses and is as follows: for 2-3 years of age – 0.25 mg/kg; for 3-7 years of age – 4-6 mg; for 7-14 years of age – 8-12 mg.

In case of anorexia in a child, it is necessary to use 6-8 mg per day, dividing the dosage into 3 administrations.

Syrup for children aged 0.5-2 years is administered in doses of 0.4 mg/kg per day.

In case of diseases affecting the kidneys/liver, the dose of the medication must be halved.

• Application for children

The medicine in the form of syrup is used in persons over six months of age; in the form of tablets - in persons over two years of age.

Treatment must be carried out in accordance with the selected dosages and under medical supervision.

Use Peritol during pregnancy

Peritol should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• closed-angle glaucoma;
• severe intolerance associated with the components of the drug;
• benign form of prostatic hyperplasia;
• tendency to develop swelling;
• urinary retention;
• use together with MAOIs.

Side effects Peritol

Side effects include:

• ataxia, headaches, drowsiness, anxiety, visual hallucinations, tremors and dizziness;
• hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis or leukopenia;
• photosensitivity, exanthema, urticaria, Quincke's edema;
• nausea, diarrhea, xerostomia, vomiting;
• tachycardia or decreased blood pressure.

Overdose

In case of poisoning, stimulation or suppression of the central nervous system may occur, with possible occurrence of convulsions and even death (especially in young children).

In children, the main symptoms are: convulsions, agitation, mydriasis and immobility of the pupils, as well as hallucinations, athetosis, agitation, facial hyperemia, vascular collapse, hyperthermia and coma.

In adults, seizures, lethargy, depression, and psychomotor agitation often occur; in addition, hyperthermia, skin hyperemia, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and coma may be observed.

It is necessary to induce vomiting using ipecac, and in addition to this, perform gastric lavage using isotonic or semi-isotonic NaCl liquid and use sorbents. If it is necessary to increase low blood pressure values, vasoconstrictors can be used.

Interactions with other drugs

Use together with fluoxetine and other drugs of similar type of influence causes a weakening of their therapeutic effect.

Caffeine and phenamine weaken the depressant activity of cyproheptadine on the central nervous system.

In the case of a combination of Peritol with other substances that suppress the activity of the central nervous system, it is necessary to constantly monitor the patient's condition (since addiction may develop) and, if it worsens, discontinue treatment.

MAOIs and tricyclics are capable of potentiating and prolonging the m-anticholinergic effect of cyproheptadine, which leads to an increase in its depressant effect on the central nervous system.

Storage conditions

Peritol must be stored at temperatures between 15-25°C.

Shelf life

Peritol in syrup form can be used for a period of 36 months from the date of sale of the pharmaceutical substance. The shelf life of tablets is 5 years.

Analogues

Analogues of the drug are Diazolin, Claritin, Erius and Gistafen with Loratadine, and in addition to this, Fenkarol, Ketotifen and Desloratadine. In addition, the list includes Dramina, Telfast, etc.

Reviews

Peritol as an antiallergic drug receives contradictory reviews from patients. This is due to the fact that the drug has a strong effect on various systems of the human body and can show a very good therapeutic result only if it is used correctly. But an incorrect mode of use or exceeding the dosage can lead to the appearance of side effects.

Reviews also indicate that the drug is often used to gain weight. It should be noted that when using Peritol in this way, you need to simultaneously take high-calorie food that is easily digestible, and in addition, remember the existing likelihood of side effects.