Hismanal (Astemizole (WITHDRAWN FROM US MARKET)) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Hismanal

Hay Fever »

What is hay fever? What are the symptoms and signs?

Hay fever is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem, and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Allergic rhinitis is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction, and many different substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever. Rhinitis means "irritation of the nose" and is a derivative of rhino, meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called "seasonal allergic rhinitis." When it occurs throughout the year, it is called "perennial allergic rhinitis." Rhinosinusitis is the medical term that refers to inflammation of the nasal lining as well as the lining tissues of the sinuses. This term is sometime used because the two conditions frequently occur together.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever...

Read the Hay Fever article »

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Hismanal

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Hismanal Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Hismanal)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose (Hismanal)?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an astemizole overdose include headache, drowsiness, irregular heartbeats, nausea, and vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking astemizole (Hismanal)?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Astemizole may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking astemizole.

Do not take astemizole with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit products may increase amount of astemizole available in your body, which could lead to dangerous side effects.

What other drugs will affect astemizole (Hismanal)?

You cannot take astemizole if you are taking any of the following medicines:

an antifungal drug including ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
an antibiotic including erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or troleandomycin (TAO);
the malaria medicine quinine (Quinamm); or
the medicine nefazodone (Serzone).

A dangerous side effect involving irregular heartbeats could occur if you take astemizole with any of the medicines listed above.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

an antifungal including fluconazole (Diflucan), miconazole (Monistat), or metronidazole (Flagyl);
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) including fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);
a protease inhibitor including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), or nelfinavir (Viracept); or
zileuton (Zyflo).

You may not be able to take astemizole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with astemizole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about astemizole written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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