Produced by medical students as part of a Quality

Improvement Project, for the benefit of our patients.

PIZOTIFEN
Information for patients

What is Pizotifen?
Pizotifen is a benzocycloheptene-based drug which acts
in the brain to prevent migraines, vascular headaches and
cluster headaches. It is used with the goal of reducing the
frequency of headaches or migraines.
Pizotifen is a preventative medicine it prevents
headaches and migraines occurring but will not help with
the pain once one has started.

How does Pizotifen work?

Pizotifen acts in the brain to decrease the levels of
neurotransmitters, mainly serotonin, a substance used
in the brain for signaling. By reducing the levels of
serotonin the drug is thought to reduce the frequency of
headaches and migraines. It also has some very milk
antihistamine and anticholinergic effects.

Are there any side effects of

Pizotifen?
While taking Pizotifen, some people report increased
appetite and therefore some weight gain. Some people
also feel a little bit dizzy or drowsy at the start of their
treatment with Pitozifen.
If you experience any side effects, you can report them
directly via the Yellow Card scheme:
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

Will Pizotifen affect my other

medications?
There arent many reported interactions between Pizotifen
and other medications. If you are taking Guanethidine or
other adrenergic neurone blockers then you should discuss
this with your doctor, but in general Pizotifen does not
affect other medications.
With this in mind, you should let your doctor know if you
have a history of glaucoma, epilepsy, or urinary retention
due to the possibility of complications when taking
Pizotifen with these conditions.

How will my doctor work out the

correct dose for me?
This is something your doctor will discuss with you. Doses
vary from 0.5mg per day to 4.5mg per day, increasing in
increments. In general you should not take more than 3mg
at once, so your dose per day may be split into 2 tablets
(e.g. one on the morning and one on the night). Pizotifen is
usually best taken at night if you are taking only one
tablet.