During part of 2010 and almost all of 2011 I had a brutal cycle with no remissions having from 3 to 5 clusterheadaches per day.   On my doctor’s visit, December 2011, the neurologists prescribed the drug cyproheptadine 4mg X 3 per day.   After about 2 weeks the cycle from hell stopped.  I continued the drug for about 2 months and then quit.  I really do not know if the cycle would have stopped spontaneously or the drug played a role.  I have s suspicion that the drug played an important role in my remission.   During the fall of each year I have sinus issues and started taking cyproheptadine again .  My usual cycle almost always starts this time of year.  This year I have been pain free with no headaches.  My fingers are still crossed that the cycle will not happen.
The insurance company paid for the first prescription and one refill and then notified me that the drug was not approved for clusterheadaches and therefore would not pay for any subsequent refills.  The drug cost $90.00 for 90 pills—a one month’s supply.
From my research on the internet, the drug appears to fiddle with serotonin, which makes some sense to the positive reaction.  The RX makes me tired, I sleep a lot, and my appetite increases during times that I am taking it.
Here’s a couple of links on the drug:
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John  :)

Sounds interesting. I note it does list migraine treatment among its various uses. It might be that this drug has a surprise effectiveness on CHs similar to indocin. I'd be curious to hear from anyone else who has tried it. Glad your cycle is suppressed or gone. God bless. lance

This med affects histamine levels. Many years ago, Cluster was referred to as a "histamine headache" because there was speculation that this was a major cause.

Search of med literature today showed only 7 articles, mostlly in the 1970s, only a single case report in the last few years. Means that this med has not gained any attention as a treatment for Cluster (although may be of use in situations where the doc suspects histamine is a factor).

Long way to say: don't hold your breath. Sorry.

...an old line migraine med.....back about 26-7 yrs...when my docs had no idea what ch was...and neither did I...they would scurry to their med books and bring back a script for "one of those...yeah, one of those" ....

after inderal...periactin was next....gave it a one yr try (at that time i had more patience than sense...and no ch.com)....nada for the ch (at best, minimal side effects)..sounds like your doc is reading an old book....and really surprised at the cost...I don't recall that

10+ meds later...verapamil proved to be the most effective...combined with O2, energy drinks, zomig ns...and possibly vit d...the beast is at least bearable now...

I agree with Bob...."general" effectiveness would have been proven by now...which is NOT to say it didn't work for you John...and wouldn't work again...twere I you...I'd refill the script

.....if it doesn't work anymore...you know where to come

Best,

Jon

I tried it, unfortunately it did not help...

I have used cyproheptadine (4mg) and nortriptyline (25mg) together as preventatives for years.  When I get breakthrough HAs, I add melatonin (3mg).  My regime is one of each in the morning and 2 of each at night.  I'll take melatonin at night when needed.  I keep a stockpile of Imitrex/Sumatripan nasal (20mg) for aborts.   

I think the doc pulled from old ideas because the new ones really didn't work that well.  Anyway, I'll keep you advised on how it works with me on prevents. Something has kept me from entering into a new cycle.  The only other RX I'm taking now is Verapamil @480 ER per day.

John