ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/cyproheptadine-respiratory
US brand names:Periactin
Cyproheptadine (Respiratory) is dosed at 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h in ferrets, per Hedley J. Small Animal Formulary-Part B: Exotic Pets, 10th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2020. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.955 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Piperidine antihistamine with potent 5-HT2A serotonin receptor antagonism and H1 blockade, providing both antiallergic and antiserotonergic effects. Also acts as bronchodilator.
Appetite stimulation is a prominent effect. Sedation possible. Used for feline asthma as bronchodilator adjunct and serotonin syndrome antidote.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 4 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 1–4 mg per cat | q12h | Moderate | Agnew W, Korman R. Pharmacological appetite stimulation: rational choices in the inappetent cat. J Feline Med Surg. 2014;16(9):749-756.; Webb CB. Hepatic lipidosis: Clinical review drawn from collective effort. J Feline Med Surg. 2018;20(3):217-227. doi:10.1177/1098612x18758591 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.356 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.327, Cyproheptadine monograph spanning p.327-328; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.3–2 mg/kg | q8-12h |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.327, Cyproheptadine monograph spanning p.327-328; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |