There are various hives treatment procedures being used in the medical field today. Hives are pink welts the size of a pea that appear on the skin singularly or in a rash. A characteristic of hives is the itchy or burning sensation they cause on the affected part before moving to another skin area.
Among the available hives treatment options is the use of cyproheptadine. Its common brand name is Periactin. This is a medication that is used to relieve allergic symptoms which include hives. It belongs to a group of drugs that are called antihistamines. Cyproheptadine works by blocking the activity of some natural substances in the body that trigger reactions. Some of these substances include histamine and serotonin.
When using cyproheptadine for hives treatment, the oral dosage is usually taken two to three times daily or as indicated by the physician. The medication might come in the form of syrup, which requires that the dosage be carefully measured using a spoon or a cup. The dosage is usually determined by the doctor depending on severity of the condition and how the patient responds to the therapy. Normally children aged between 2 to 6 years should take a maximum of 12 mg in a single day unless the doctor has specified otherwise. The maximum daily dosage for children aged below 14 years should be 16 mg, and 32 mg for adults.
This emphasis on the dosage limits in using cyproheptadine for hives treatment is due to the fact that this medicine has several side effects when taken in large doses. The side effects include reduction in mental alertness, sleepiness, tremors and loss of coordination, among many others.