Hismanal

 
Generic Name: astemizole

Brands: Hismanal

---

What is the most important information I should know about Hismanal?

· Hismanal is not commercially available in the United States.

· Do not take Hismanal (Hismanal) with any of the following medicines: antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox); antibiotics such as erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab), clarithromycin (Biaxin), and troleandomycin (TAO); the malaria medicine quinine (Quinamm); or the medicine nefazodone (Serzone).

· Take Hismanal on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating food.

· Do not take Hismanal with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit products may increase amount of Hismanal available in your body, which could lead to dangerous side effects.

 

What is Hismanal?

· Hismanal is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms.

· Hismanal is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria), and other allergic inflammatory conditions.

· Hismanal is not commercially available in the United States.

· Hismanal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

Who should not take Hismanal?

· You cannot take Hismanal 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 Hismanal with any of the medicines listed above.

· Before taking Hismanal, 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 Hismanal, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Hismanal is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Hismanal 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 Hismanal passes into breast milk. Do not take Hismanal without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I take Hismanal?

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

· Do not take Hismanal with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit products may increase amount of Hismanal 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 Hismanal may result in irregular heartbeats, and rarely, death. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

· Store Hismanal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of an Hismanal overdose include headache, drowsiness, irregular heartbeats, nausea, and vomiting.

 

What should I avoid while taking Hismanal?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hismanal may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Hismanal.

· Do not take Hismanal with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit products may increase amount of Hismanal available in your body, which could lead to dangerous side effects.

 

What are the possible side effects of Hismanal?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Hismanal and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·an irregular heartbeat;      ·fainting; or     ·seizures.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Hismanal and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·drowsiness or dizziness;     ·headache;     ·nervousness;     ·nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort;     ·dry mouth; or     ·dry skin or itchiness.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Hismanal?

· You cannot take Hismanal 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 Hismanal with any of the medicines listed above.

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:     ·an antifungal including fluconazole (Diflucan), miconazole (Monistat), or metronidazole (Flagyl);     ·a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) including fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);     ·a protease inhibitor including amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), or nelfinavir (Viracept); or     ·zileuton (Zyflo).

· You may not be able to take Hismanal, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Hismanal. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Hismanal written for health professionals that you may read.

Print this page