USES: Antihistamines are used to treat rash, hives, watery eyes, runny nose, itching, and sneezing due to allergies or the common cold. They may also be used to treat motion sickness, anxiety, or as a sleep aid (for insomnia).
HOW TO USE: May be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Sustained-release or long acting tablets and capsules must be swallowed whole. Chewing or crushing the sustained-release/long acting tablets or capsules will destroy the long action and may increase side effects. For chewable tablets, chew thoroughly and swallow. Shake suspensions well before taking.
SIDE EFFECTS: May cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, stomach upset, vision changes, irritability, dry mouth and nose. These effects should subside as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: breathing difficulties, pounding or irregular heartbeat, ringing in the ears, difficulty urinating. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: glaucoma (narrow angle), stomach ulcers, difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate), heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, lung problems, overactive thyroid. Change from a seated or lying position slowly to avoid dizziness. Use caution in performing activities requiring alertness. Limit alcohol intake to avoid excessive drowsiness. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Do not give long-acting antihistamines to a child younger than 12 years of age nor other dose forms of antihistamines to a child younger than 6 years of age without doctor approval. This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication may be excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. These episodes can occur at any time, even during sleep. A person experiencing a panic attack may believe that he or she is having a heart attack or that death is imminent. The fear and terror that a person experiences during a panic attack are not in proportion to the true situation and may be unrelated to what is happening around them. Most people with panic attacks experience several of the following symptoms: racing heartbeat, faintness, dizzyness, numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers, chills, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of loss or control. There are several treatments for panic attacks.
Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin that is usually a sign of an
allergic reaction. The allergy may be to food or medications, but usually the
cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown.
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. Not getting enough sleep can hurt memory performance, health, and your mood.
Motion sickness, often referred to as car sickness, sea sickness, or air sickness, is a very common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. The cause of motion sickness is complex. Symptoms of motion sickness include vomiting, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, sweating, and a feeling of malaise. Treatment of motion sickness include antihistamine medications such as meclizine (Bonine, Antivert, Dramamine), and scopolamine (Transderm Scop) a skin patch.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear that is
caused by repeated motion such as from the swell of the sea, the
movement of a car, the motion of a plane in turbulent air, etc. In
the inner ear (which is also called the labyrinth), motion sickness
affects the sense of balance and equilibrium and, hence, the sense of
spatial orientation.
What causes motion sickness?
Motion is sensed by the brain through three different pathways of the nervous system that send signals coming from the inner ear (sensing motion, acceleration, and gravity), the eyes (vision), and the deeper tissues of the body surface (proprioceptors). When the body is moved intentionally, for example, when we walk, the input from all three pathways is coordinated by our brain. When there is unintentional movement of the body, as occurs during motion when driving in a car, the brain is not coordinating the input, and the...
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