Tablets
To prevent or relieve symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, and for chronic idiopathic urticaria (persistent itching with no determinable cause). NOTE: The pharmaceutical company that manufactures this drug has voluntarily removed it from the market as of June 21, 1999. The drug will be available until the supply currently on pharmacy shelves has been exhausted.
Astemizole blocks the effects of histamine, a naturally occurring substance within the body that causes swelling, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, hives, and other symptoms of allergic reactions.
Adults and teenagers: 10 mg once a day. Do not exceed the 10 mg maximum daily dose. Not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Unknown, but it is probably prolonged (up to six hours after ingestion); the maximum effect may not be apparent until the second or third day.
Up to 24 hours. (Traces of the drug may remain in the body for three or four weeks after discontinuing therapy.)
It should be taken one hour before or two hours after a meal. Astemizole may be taken with food or a glass of milk or water, but this may reduce effectiveness of the drug by interfering with its absorption.
Store in a tightly sealed container in a dry place away from heat and direct light.
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is within six hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosage schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Take astemizole as prescribed for the full treatment period. However, you may stop taking the drug if you are feeling better before the scheduled end of therapy.
No special problems are expected; tolerance to the drug does not usually develop.
Adverse reactions may be more likely and more severe in older patients. A lower dose may be warranted.
Do not drive or engage in hazardous work until you determine how the medicine affects you.
Do not use astemizole if you have a history of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, or liver problems such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Caution is advised; consult your doctor about whether the benefits outweigh potential risks.
Astemizole may pass into breast milk; use caution. Consult your doctor for specific advice.
Safety and effectiveness for children under 12 have not been established.
Do not exceed the daily dose of 10 mg; this may lead to potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.
Seizures, hallucinations, coma, cardiac arrest, serious heart rhythm irregularities.
Call your doctor, emergency medical services (EMS), or the nearest poison control center immediately.
Do not take the following drugs with astemizole: ketoconazole, itraconazole, mibefradil, or macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, and related drugs). These drugs may increase levels of astemizole in the blood by blocking its metabolism in the liver, potentially causing adverse effects. Taking astemizole in conjunction with the following drugs is not recommended: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), protease inhibitors (ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir), and zileuton.
Do not take astemizole with grapefruit juice. Taking astemizole with food will reduce the body's absorption of the drug by 60%.
Do not take astemizole if you have liver impairment. Caution is advised in patients with a history of liver or kidney disease, or with ventricular arrhythmia. Consult your doctor.
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