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Cyproheptadine and Headaches: What Users Say

Headaches: mentioned by 7 users (3.3%)

Based on user experiences from 212 Cyproheptadine reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

drowsiness 17.5%
sleepy 15.1%
weight gain 12.3%
tiredness 8.0%
increased appetite 6.6%
headaches 3.3%
nausea 2.8%
dry mouth 2.4%
dizziness 1.9%
irritability 1.9%

Reviews for Cyproheptadine

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Anonymous
  • January 5, 2009

Cyproheptadine for Cluster Headaches "This drug is great for cluster headaches. I have spoken with over 150 cluster headache sufferers. I took one tablet each night for the first week, and it has ended the cycle of headaches. The first night after taking one, you will still have a headache, but it will last about one half hour or so. On the second night, according to the people I have spoken with, 145 out of the 150 had the cycle of headaches ended. The remaining 5 on the 3rd and 4th day. Keep in mind you must take this medicine for up to 2 months to make sure the cycle is contained. The only way to know is to judge how you feel. Your doctor cannot do this for you. I have been having these headaches for 18 years. PLEASE TRY."

9 / 10
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62 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 9, 2012

Cyproheptadine for Migraine "I was pregnant, I had to stop taking Relpax (at 2 x a month) for migraines, and I made notes and found I had horrible pain 20 out of 30 days in the month. For 2 months, I suffered, and my OB referred me to my neuro, who referred me to my OB, and no one would help me. A new neuro put me on Periactin 4 mg once a day. I started it on - I think day 2 of what usually is a 3-day migraine, and it stopped. I had only a faint sensation of a headache."

10 / 10
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29 Report
  • Ris...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 27, 2019

For Anorexia "Took Periactin once a day, as it made me very drowsy and heavy-headed. Although my appetite picked up a lot and over a year I put on about 10 kgs, which I wanted, it was the worst decision to take these tablets as it caused severe dryness in my eyes. This has led to terrible eye pain day and night. Sadly, I didn't make the link between the tablets and the pain until too late, but I have now stopped taking them. They probably work for some without side effects, but not for me, unfortunately."

1 / 10
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14 Report
  • Sco...
  • January 5, 2019

For Anorexia "I've always struggled with my weight. I'm 30 years old with 2 boys, and my weight rocketed with both pregnancies and went right back down again. lol I've tried quite a few things, but nothing really helped. I do remember going to a Chinese herbal store 3 years ago and was given a powder mixture to mix with water and drink twice a day. It works, but I'm not good with drinking large quantities. Fast forward to today. I'm currently 5'6, weighing 153 lbs. I hate seeing what I see in the mirror: skinny arms, collarbone poking out, my breasts are literally nonexistent. It's sad! So, I went to my GP on 3/1/2019 and asked for Periactin. She was happy to prescribe it to me. It's been two days I've been taking these now, I take 3 a day, and they make me so hungry. I've also noticed I haven't been getting the sleepiness or headaches some say they have experienced within the first 3 days of taking them. I will be back to update after a week or 2 to see if I've gained any weight since."

6 / 10
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21 Report
  • Red...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2016

For Migraine "It got prescribed this when I started getting horrible headaches almost daily. I was told to take it two times daily, once in the morning and once at night. It gave me more headaches, at least an aura without pain. I had increased blind spots in my vision, as well as it made me extremely tired. Stopped taking it."

1 / 10
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20 Report

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  • Sar...
  • December 14, 2017

For Anorexia "I tried this on a whim, after reading a lot of reviews. I was a little nervous, as my doctors have never heard of it. Still, I took the chance because I was desperate, and I've gained 15 pounds in 3 weeks! I'm still in shock. My stomach somehow turned into a bottomless pit. I will say though, I kept falling asleep for the first 3 days. Like, deeeeeep sleep. And I had the worst headaches of my life. BUT, it subsided after about 3 days. I still get a little drowsy and disoriented at times, but I don't take it as often now. I started with 3 doses of 4 mg/day, and now I take it once before bed."

10 / 10
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  • Ash...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 7, 2015

For Migraine "I have been taking this for around three years now, and I found that for the first year I was headache-free. On my second year, I was occasionally getting headaches like 2 or 3 a month. Then, after my third year of being on the medicine, it seemed as though I was taking nothing to help with migraines. I have now been getting up to 10 migraines at different times per day. I went to see my neurologist, and he said I'm having uncontrolled migraines, and he put me on Topamax, so I guess I will see how that goes."

6 / 10
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10 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.