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Symptoms of overdose
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe); dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe); feeling faint; flushing or redness of face; hallucinations (seeing, hearing,
or feeling things that are not there); shortness of breath or troubled breathing ; trouble in sleeping
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Before Using This Medicine
Children¡XSerious side effects, such as convulsions (seizures), are more likely to occur in younger patients and would be of greater risk to infants than to older children or adults. In general, child
en are more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Also, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in children.
Older adult
s¡XElderly patients are usually more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Confusion; difficult or painful urination; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling faint; or dryness of mouth, nose, or throat m
y be more likely to occur in elderly patients.
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What is this medicine
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body.
Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Also, in some persons histamine can close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult.
Some of the antihistamines are also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In patients with Parkinson's disease, diphenhydramine may be used to decrease stiffness and tremor
s. Also, the syrup form of diphenhydramine is used to relieve the cough due to colds or hay fever.
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Drug Interactions
Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps)¡XSide effects, such as dryness of mouth, of antihistamines or anticholinergics may be more likely to occur
Erythromycin (e.g.
E-Mycin) or
Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)¡XUse of these medicines with fexofenadine may cause an increased amount of fexofenadine in the blood.
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medi
ines that cause drowsiness)¡XEffects, such as drowsiness, of CNS depressants or antihistamines may be worsened; also, taking maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants may cause some side effects of eit
er of these medicines, such as dryness of mouth, to become more severe
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Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your
doctor immediately if the following side effect occurs:
- Less common or rare
Less frequent or rare with azatadine, cetirizine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorphenira
mine, diphenhydramine, or loratadine
Fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; abdominal or stomach pain; burning; chills; clay-colored stools or dark urine; cough; diarrhea; difficulty swa
llowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; fever; headache; hives; itching;
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How should this medicine be used?
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of your medical problem. Take them only as directed. Do not take more of them and do not take them more often than recommended on the label,
unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Dosing¡X
- The dose of an antihistamine will be different for different patients. Follow y
ur doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of antihistamines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you
to do so.
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