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- $Unique_ID{BRK03091}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{clemastine}
- $Subject{Tavist Tavist-1 Sandoz Antihistamine clemastine fumarate histamine
- allergic reaction allergy}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- clemastine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Tavist (Sandoz)
- Tavist-1 (Sandoz)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antihistamine
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- clemastine fumarate
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (1.34 mg and 2.68 mg)
- Oral syrup (0.67 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 5.5% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Clemastine tablets and oral syrup should be stored at room temperature in
- tightly closed containers.
-
- USES
-
- This medication belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines
- (antihistamines block the action of histamine, a chemical that is released by
- the body during an allergic reaction). It is, therefore, used to treat or
- prevent symptoms of allergy.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To avoid stomach upset, you can take clemastine with food or with a full
- glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Each dose of the oral syrup should be measured carefully with a specially
- designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate
- enough.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do
- not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Blurred vision; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; difficult or painful
- urination; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, or nose; headache;
- irritability; loss of appetite; nausea; restlessness; ringing or buzzing in
- the ears; stomach upset; or unusual increase in sweating. These side effects
- should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
- This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is,
- therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
- Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so).
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
- reduce mouth dryness.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- change in menstruation, clumsiness, feeling faint, flushing of the face,
- hallucinations, palpitations, rash, seizures, shortness of breath, sleeping
- disorders, sore throat or fever, tightness in the chest, unusual bleeding or
- bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Clemastine interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. Concurrent use of it with central nervous system depressants (such as
- alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants,
- narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
- tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
- 2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline,
- phenelzine and tranylcypromine) can increase the side effects of this
- medication. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use
- of an MAO inhibitor.
- 3. Clemastine can also decrease the activity of oral anticoagulants
- (blood thinners, such as warfarin).
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to clemastine or to other antihistamines (such as
- astemizole, azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, chlorpheniramine,
- cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene,
- diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, phenidamine,
- promethazine, pyrilamine, terfenadine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and
- triprolidine).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, blood
- vessel disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, peptic ulcers,
- enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
- * Clemastine can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Your ability to perform
- tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating dangerous
- equipment, may be decreased. Appropriate caution should, be taken.
- * Drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the sedative effects of
- clemastine.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also,
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of
- clemastine pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or
- irritability in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-