Astemizole
Instructions for use:
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Indications for use
- 3. Contraindications
- 4. Method of application and dosage
- 5. Side effects
- 6. Special instructions
- 7. Drug interactions
- 8. Terms and conditions of storage
Astemizole is a piperidine derivative, a blocker of histamine H 1 receptors of the II generation.
Release form and composition
Dosage form - tablets (10 pcs. In blisters, 2 blisters in a cardboard box).
Active ingredient: astemizole - 10 mg in 1 tablet.
Indications for use
- prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis;
- treatment of dermographism, urticaria, Quincke's edema.
Contraindications
- children under 2 years old;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- individual hypersensitivity to the components of Astemizole.
Due to the fact that the drug increases appetite, it must be used with caution in patients prone to obesity.
Method of administration and dosage
Astemizole should be taken orally once a day on an empty stomach.
Recommended doses:
- children 2-6 years old - 0.2 mg / kg;
- children 6-12 years old - 5 mg;
- children over 12 years old and adults - 10 mg.
The duration of treatment is up to 7 days.
Side effects
- on the part of the cardiovascular system: palpitations, ventricular extrasystoles, hypotension; when taking the drug in high doses - hematopoiesis disorders (fever, sore throat, fatigue or weakness, bleeding or hemorrhage), ventricular arrhythmias;
- from the nervous system and sensory organs: drowsiness, headache, weakness; in some cases - mood disorders, dizziness, nightmares, insomnia, nervousness, conjunctivitis, paresthesia, depression, convulsions;
- from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract: increased appetite, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea; rarely - hepatitis, increased activity of hepatic transaminases;
- allergic reactions: rarely - itching, rash, anaphylactoid reactions, bronchospasm, angioedema;
- others: arthralgia, myalgia, photosensitivity, tendency to weight gain; rarely - pharyngitis.
special instructions
With extreme caution, Astemizole should be used to treat children under 6 years of age.
It is not recommended to prescribe the drug to patients with hypokalemia and significant liver dysfunction.
Skin tests for allergens should not be performed for 4 weeks after the end of treatment.
Drug interactions
The rate of biotransformation of astemizole is reduced by inhibitors of the protease of the human immunodeficiency virus (ritonavir, indinavir), antibiotics from the macrolide group (terferanide, clarithromycin, triacetoleandomycin, erythromycin), antifungal agents from the group of imidazole derivatives (itraconazole, which increases the concentration of the drug in astemizole) and the risk of developing ventricular extrasystoles increases.
Grapefruit juice inhibits the metabolism of astemizole.
Drugs that prolong the QT interval (including calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, antiarrhythmics, phenothiazines, terfenadine) potentiate cardiotoxicity.
Astemizole enhances the effects (including side effects) of photosensitizing agents, and may mask the ototoxic effect of other drugs.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store in a dry place out of reach of children.
The shelf life is 4.5 years.
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
