Hismanal (Astemizole (WITHDRAWN FROM US MARKET)) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList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 How Should I Take

Who should not take 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 astemizole, tell your doctor if you have

asthma or another lung disease;
low potassium levels in your blood;
urinary retention or an enlarged prostate;
kidney disease;
liver disease; or
heart disease, especially an irregular heartbeat.

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

Astemizole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether astemizole will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether astemizole passes into breast milk. Do not take astemizole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take astemizole (Hismanal)?

Take astemizole once a day as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Take astemizole on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

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.

Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.

Never take more of this medication than is directed by your doctor. Larger than prescribed doses of astemizole may result in irregular heartbeats, and rarely, death. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

Store astemizole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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