Cipla Actin Pills: Uses, How it Works, Dosage, Side Effects
What is Cipla Actin used for?
Cipla Actin is a South African brand of Cyproheptadine widely used for its appetite stimulating and weight triggering abilities. Cyproheptadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. Cipla Actin tablets contains Cyproheptadine hydrochloride 4mg as active ingredient.
Cipla Actin pills relieve red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by allergies, irritants in the air, and hay fever. It may also be used to relieve the itching of allergic skin conditions, and to treat hives, including hives caused by exposure to cold temperatures and by rubbing the skin.
Cipla Actin pills are sometimes used to treat allergic reactions in people who have received blood products as part of medical treatment and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions after the symptoms have been brought under control with other medications. Cipla Actin pills will help relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of symptoms or speed recovery.
When should you not take Cipla Actin pills?
You should not use Cipla Actin pills if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a stomach ulcer or obstruction, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, or if you are having an asthma attack. If you are elderly, or if you have a debilitating disease.
Can I take Cipla Actin while breastfeeding?
No, you also should not use Cipla Actin pills if you are breast-feeding a baby. Use in infants has been associated with apnea, cyanosis, and respiratory difficulty. It is not known whether cyproheptadine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do you take Cipla Actin before or after meal?
Antihistamines like Cipla Actin can be taken with food or a glass of water or milk to lessen stomach irritation if necessary.
How should I Take Cipla Actin pills?
Cipla Actin tablets is taken by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times a day. For hypersensitivity reaction the dosage is as follows:
Adults: 4 mg orally every 8 hours initially; maintenance: 4-20 mg/day, up to 32 mg/day divided every 8 hours between some patients; not to exceed 0.5 mg/kg/day.
Children under 2 years old: Safety and efficacy not established.
Children 2-6 years old: 2 mg orally every 8-12 hours; not to exceed 12 mg/day.
Children 7-14 years old: 4 mg orally every 8-12 hours; not to exceed 16 mg/day
In general, the dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. In children, the dosage may also be based on weight and body size. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens. This medicine can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking cyproheptadine.
Why does Cipla Actin make you hungry?
The active ingredient in Cipla Actin (Cyproheptadine hydrochloride) is a histamine antagonist with appetite-stimulating effect. The probable mechanism for appetite-stimulating effect of Cipla Actin including its ability to trigger hunger is through the stimulation of growth hormone secretion by deep sleep induction.
Does Cipla Actin help to gain weight?
Studies have shown that the active ingredient in Cipla Actin is effective in producing appetite stimulation and weight gain in healthy, underweight, adults.
What are the side effects of Cipla Actin pills?
Common side effects of Cipla Actin pills include:
• Abnormal facial movements (dyskinesia)
• Acute labyrinthitis
• Blurred vision
• Central nervous system (CNS) depression
• Chills
• Cholestasis
• Constipation
• Delirium
• Diarrhea
• Disturbed coordination/loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Dry mouth, nose, and throat
• Early menses
• ECG changes (e.g., widened QRS)
• Eczema
• Euphoria
• Faintness
• Headache
• Hepatitis
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Impotence
• Increased sweating
• Increased urination
• Irritability
• Itching
• Lack of energy
• Liver failure
• Liver function abnormality
• Loss of appetite
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Numbness and tingling
• Palpitations
• Redness on exposed skin
• Restlessness or excitability (especially in children)
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sedation ranging from mild drowsiness to deep sleep (most frequent)
• Seizures
• Skin inflammation
• Skin rash
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Spinning sensation (vertigo)
• Stuffy nose
• Thickening of mucus in the nose/throat
• Tightness of chest
• Tired feeling
• Toxic psychosis
• Upset stomach
• Urinary retention
• Visual disturbances
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight gain
• Wheezing
• Yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice) (rare)
Serious side effects of cyproheptadine include:
• Mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion, hallucinations)
• Shaking (tremors)
• Difficult or painful urinating
• Fast/irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) (e.g., extrasystole, heart block)
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
Does Cipla Actin affect periods?
Yes, Cipla Actin can affect your menstrual cycle. In a study involving 15 women, 10 of the 15 women had menstrual bleeding while receiving cyproheptadine. This drug can correct menstrual cycle by lowering prolactin levels. High prolactin levels interfere with the normal production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. This can change or stop ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It can also lead to irregular or missed periods.
What medication interact with Cipla Actin pills?
Taking Cipla Actin pills with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Other drugs may interact with Cipla Actin pills, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
