Indications Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; in chronic idiopathic urticaria for relief of symptoms of pruritus and reduction in number and size of hives.

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

 Route/Dosage

Adults and Children Older Than 12 Yr: PO 5 mg once daily. In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, start with 5 mg qod.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions CARDIOVASCULAR: Tachycardia. CNS: Somnolence; fatigue; dizziness. EENT: Pharyngitis; dry throat. GI: Dry mouth; nausea. HEPATIC: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. OTHER: Flu-like symptoms; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 yr. Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment is recommended.

 Administration/Storage

• Give once daily without regard to food.
• Start patients with kidney or liver impairment on 1 tablet qod.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Protect unit-dose hospital pack from moisture.

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies. Note history of hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Assess for allergy symptoms (eg, rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes) before and periodically throughout therapy.
• Monitor patient for dizziness and excessive drowsiness. If noted, hold therapy and notify health care provider.

 Patient/Family Education

• Explain name, dose, action, and potential side effects of drug.
• Advise patient to take once daily without regard to meals.
• Advise patient that if allergy symptoms are not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication or frequency of use but to inform the health care provider. Inform patient that larger or more frequent dosing does not increase effectiveness and may cause drowsiness.
• Caution patient not to take any otc antihistamines while taking this medication unless advised to do so by the health care provider.
• If patient is to have allergy skin testing, advise to not take the medication for 6 days or more before the skin testing.
• Advise patient to notify health care provider if becoming pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to stop taking drug and immediately report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: dizziness, excessive drowsiness.
• Caution patient to not take any prescription or otc medications, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

Indications for Drugs ::

 Action Long-acting histamine antagonist with selective H₁-receptor histamine antagonist activity.

 Indications Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; in chronic idiopathic urticaria for relief of symptoms of pruritus and reduction in number and size of hives.

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

 Route/Dosage

Adults and Children Older Than 12 Yr: PO 5 mg once daily. In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, start with 5 mg qod.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions CARDIOVASCULAR: Tachycardia. CNS: Somnolence; fatigue; dizziness. EENT: Pharyngitis; dry throat. GI: Dry mouth; nausea. HEPATIC: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. OTHER: Flu-like symptoms; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 yr. Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment is recommended.

 Administration/Storage

• Give once daily without regard to food.
• Start patients with kidney or liver impairment on 1 tablet qod.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Protect unit-dose hospital pack from moisture.

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies. Note history of hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Assess for allergy symptoms (eg, rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes) before and periodically throughout therapy.
• Monitor patient for dizziness and excessive drowsiness. If noted, hold therapy and notify health care provider.

 Patient/Family Education

• Explain name, dose, action, and potential side effects of drug.
• Advise patient to take once daily without regard to meals.
• Advise patient that if allergy symptoms are not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication or frequency of use but to inform the health care provider. Inform patient that larger or more frequent dosing does not increase effectiveness and may cause drowsiness.
• Caution patient not to take any otc antihistamines while taking this medication unless advised to do so by the health care provider.
• If patient is to have allergy skin testing, advise to not take the medication for 6 days or more before the skin testing.
• Advise patient to notify health care provider if becoming pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to stop taking drug and immediately report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: dizziness, excessive drowsiness.
• Caution patient to not take any prescription or otc medications, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

Drug Dose ::

 Action Long-acting histamine antagonist with selective H₁-receptor histamine antagonist activity.

 Indications Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; in chronic idiopathic urticaria for relief of symptoms of pruritus and reduction in number and size of hives.

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

 Route/Dosage

Adults and Children Older Than 12 Yr: PO 5 mg once daily. In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, start with 5 mg qod.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions CARDIOVASCULAR: Tachycardia. CNS: Somnolence; fatigue; dizziness. EENT: Pharyngitis; dry throat. GI: Dry mouth; nausea. HEPATIC: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. OTHER: Flu-like symptoms; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 yr. Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment is recommended.

 Administration/Storage

• Give once daily without regard to food.
• Start patients with kidney or liver impairment on 1 tablet qod.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Protect unit-dose hospital pack from moisture.

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies. Note history of hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Assess for allergy symptoms (eg, rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes) before and periodically throughout therapy.
• Monitor patient for dizziness and excessive drowsiness. If noted, hold therapy and notify health care provider.

 Patient/Family Education

• Explain name, dose, action, and potential side effects of drug.
• Advise patient to take once daily without regard to meals.
• Advise patient that if allergy symptoms are not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication or frequency of use but to inform the health care provider. Inform patient that larger or more frequent dosing does not increase effectiveness and may cause drowsiness.
• Caution patient not to take any otc antihistamines while taking this medication unless advised to do so by the health care provider.
• If patient is to have allergy skin testing, advise to not take the medication for 6 days or more before the skin testing.
• Advise patient to notify health care provider if becoming pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to stop taking drug and immediately report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: dizziness, excessive drowsiness.
• Caution patient to not take any prescription or otc medications, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

Contraindication ::

 Action Long-acting histamine antagonist with selective H₁-receptor histamine antagonist activity.

 Indications Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; in chronic idiopathic urticaria for relief of symptoms of pruritus and reduction in number and size of hives.

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

 Route/Dosage

Adults and Children Older Than 12 Yr: PO 5 mg once daily. In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, start with 5 mg qod.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions CARDIOVASCULAR: Tachycardia. CNS: Somnolence; fatigue; dizziness. EENT: Pharyngitis; dry throat. GI: Dry mouth; nausea. HEPATIC: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. OTHER: Flu-like symptoms; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 yr. Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment is recommended.

 Administration/Storage

• Give once daily without regard to food.
• Start patients with kidney or liver impairment on 1 tablet qod.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Protect unit-dose hospital pack from moisture.

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies. Note history of hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Assess for allergy symptoms (eg, rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes) before and periodically throughout therapy.
• Monitor patient for dizziness and excessive drowsiness. If noted, hold therapy and notify health care provider.

 Patient/Family Education

• Explain name, dose, action, and potential side effects of drug.
• Advise patient to take once daily without regard to meals.
• Advise patient that if allergy symptoms are not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication or frequency of use but to inform the health care provider. Inform patient that larger or more frequent dosing does not increase effectiveness and may cause drowsiness.
• Caution patient not to take any otc antihistamines while taking this medication unless advised to do so by the health care provider.
• If patient is to have allergy skin testing, advise to not take the medication for 6 days or more before the skin testing.
• Advise patient to notify health care provider if becoming pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to stop taking drug and immediately report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: dizziness, excessive drowsiness.
• Caution patient to not take any prescription or otc medications, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

Drug Precautions ::

 Action Long-acting histamine antagonist with selective H₁-receptor histamine antagonist activity.

 Indications Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; in chronic idiopathic urticaria for relief of symptoms of pruritus and reduction in number and size of hives.

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

 Route/Dosage

Adults and Children Older Than 12 Yr: PO 5 mg once daily. In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, start with 5 mg qod.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions CARDIOVASCULAR: Tachycardia. CNS: Somnolence; fatigue; dizziness. EENT: Pharyngitis; dry throat. GI: Dry mouth; nausea. HEPATIC: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. OTHER: Flu-like symptoms; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 yr. Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment is recommended.

 Administration/Storage

• Give once daily without regard to food.
• Start patients with kidney or liver impairment on 1 tablet qod.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Protect unit-dose hospital pack from moisture.

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies. Note history of hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Assess for allergy symptoms (eg, rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes) before and periodically throughout therapy.
• Monitor patient for dizziness and excessive drowsiness. If noted, hold therapy and notify health care provider.

 Patient/Family Education

• Explain name, dose, action, and potential side effects of drug.
• Advise patient to take once daily without regard to meals.
• Advise patient that if allergy symptoms are not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication or frequency of use but to inform the health care provider. Inform patient that larger or more frequent dosing does not increase effectiveness and may cause drowsiness.
• Caution patient not to take any otc antihistamines while taking this medication unless advised to do so by the health care provider.
• If patient is to have allergy skin testing, advise to not take the medication for 6 days or more before the skin testing.
• Advise patient to notify health care provider if becoming pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to stop taking drug and immediately report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: dizziness, excessive drowsiness.
• Caution patient to not take any prescription or otc medications, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

Drug Side Effects ::

 Action Long-acting histamine antagonist with selective H₁-receptor histamine antagonist activity.

 Indications Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; in chronic idiopathic urticaria for relief of symptoms of pruritus and reduction in number and size of hives.

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

 Route/Dosage

Adults and Children Older Than 12 Yr: PO 5 mg once daily. In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, start with 5 mg qod.

 Interactions None well documented.

 Lab Test Interferences None well documented.

 Adverse Reactions CARDIOVASCULAR: Tachycardia. CNS: Somnolence; fatigue; dizziness. EENT: Pharyngitis; dry throat. GI: Dry mouth; nausea. HEPATIC: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. OTHER: Flu-like symptoms; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 yr. Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Renal or Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment is recommended.

 Administration/Storage

• Give once daily without regard to food.
• Start patients with kidney or liver impairment on 1 tablet qod.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Protect unit-dose hospital pack from moisture.

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies. Note history of hepatic or renal dysfunction.
• Assess for allergy symptoms (eg, rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes) before and periodically throughout therapy.
• Monitor patient for dizziness and excessive drowsiness. If noted, hold therapy and notify health care provider.

 Patient/Family Education

• Explain name, dose, action, and potential side effects of drug.
• Advise patient to take once daily without regard to meals.
• Advise patient that if allergy symptoms are not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication or frequency of use but to inform the health care provider. Inform patient that larger or more frequent dosing does not increase effectiveness and may cause drowsiness.
• Caution patient not to take any otc antihistamines while taking this medication unless advised to do so by the health care provider.
• If patient is to have allergy skin testing, advise to not take the medication for 6 days or more before the skin testing.
• Advise patient to notify health care provider if becoming pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to stop taking drug and immediately report any of the following symptoms to health care provider: dizziness, excessive drowsiness.
• Caution patient to not take any prescription or otc medications, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

Drug Mode of Action ::  

 Action Long-acting histamine antagonist with selective H₁-receptor histamine antagonist activity.