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Seldane

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...

Seldane

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

Seldane Patient Information including How Should I Take

Who should not take terfenadine (Seldane)?

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

  • the antifungal drugs ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
  • the antibiotics erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or azithromycin (Zithromax); or
  • the ulcer drug cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB).

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

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

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

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

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

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

How should I take terfenadine (Seldane)?

Take terfenadine as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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

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

Terfenadine is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and the evening. Never take more of this medication than is directed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

Store terfenadine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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