Results of cyproheptadine treatment in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism

Administration of cyproheptadine for 2 months to five dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) at a dose rate of 0.3 mg/kg per 24 h (group 1) and to four dogs with PDH at a dose rate of 1 mg/kg per 24 h (group 2) did not result in any clinical improvement. The hyperadrenocorticoid state, as indicated by the circulating cortisol levels, the urinary corticosteroid excretion and the response of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis to lysine-vasopressin, thyrotrophin releasing hormone and dexamethasone did not change consistently, although there was a tendency to normalization of some parameters in the dogs of group 2. However, these changes were not found to be consistent for each individual dog but were limited to one parameter per dog. It is concluded that cyproheptadine is not suitable for the treatment of PDH in the dog.