An antihistamine drug called Histamed (cetirizine) is used to treat allergic diseases such as rhinitis and persistent urticaria. It is a member of the antihistamine drug class and acts by obstructing the actions of histamines, which the body produces and can result in fever, itchiness, sneezing, runny noses, or watery eyes in allergic situations.
To treat allergic irritation of the nasal airways brought on by allergens, Histamed Tablet and Histamed Solution are utilized. There are more uses for 1 Histamed Tablet not covered by the prescription guide. Histamed Solution is used to treat perennial allergic rhinitis, which is an allergy that manifests itself throughout the year.
An indication refers to a description of the conditions, symptoms, or illnesses for which a medication is prescribed or used by a patient. For instance, acetaminophen or paracetamol may be taken by patients for fever relief, or a doctor might prescribe it to address headaches or body aches.
In this context, fever, headache, and body pains serve as indications for using paracetamol. It’s crucial for patients to be knowledgeable about the indications of commonly used medications, as some can be obtained over the counter from a pharmacy without a physician’s prescription.
Histamed hydrochloride syrup serves specific indications for different health conditions:
- Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: Histamed hydrochloride syrup is recommended for alleviating symptoms linked to perennial allergic rhinitis in children aged 6 to 23 months. This condition is triggered by allergens like dust mites, animal dander, and moulds. The syrup effectively addresses symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, postnasal discharge, nasal and ocular pruritus, as well as tearing.
- Chronic Urticaria: Histamed hydrochloride syrup is indicated for managing uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in children aged 6 months to 5 years. It significantly diminishes the frequency, severity, and duration of hives, while also effectively reducing itching.
Histamed is classified as an antihistamine, which works to counteract the effects of histamine, a naturally occurring chemical in the body. Histamine can trigger symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
This medication is employed to treat cold or allergy symptoms, encompassing sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
Furthermore, Histamed is utilized to address itching and swelling arising from chronic urticaria, commonly known as hives.
It’s important to note that Histamed might have applications beyond those mentioned in this medication guide.
Read Also: Antifungal Drugs List: Understanding the Different Types and Uses
Dosage (Posology) and Administration Guidelines for Histamed:
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
- Take 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria:
- Take 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
- Ages 6 months to 2 years: Take 2.5 mg orally once daily; for those 12 months and older, dosage may increase to 2.5 mg orally twice a day.
- Ages 2 to 5 years: Take 2.5 mg orally once daily, may increase to 5 mg/day in 1 to 2 divided doses.
- Ages 6 years or older: Take 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria:
- Ages 6 months to 2 years: Take 2.5 mg orally once daily; for those 12 months and older, dosage may increase to 2.5 mg orally twice a day.
- Ages 2 to 5 years: Take 2.5 mg orally once daily, may increase to 5 mg/day in 1 to 2 divided doses.
- Ages 6 years or older: Take 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Renal Dose Adjustments:
- For patients with a creatinine clearance (CrCl) less than 30 mL/min: Take 5 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Note: Use of Histamed is not recommended in children under 6 years of age with renal impairment due to difficulties in administering doses less than 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful) and limited pharmacokinetic and safety data.
Liver Dose Adjustments:
- Take 5 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Note: Use of Histamed is not recommended in children under 6 years of age with hepatic impairment due to difficulties in administering doses less than 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful) and limited pharmacokinetic and safety data.
Precautions:
- Exercise caution when driving or operating machinery, as somnolence (drowsiness) has been reported in clinical trials.
- Avoid concurrent use of alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, as they may further reduce alertness and impair CNS performance.
Dialysis:
- Histamed is not significantly removed by hemodialysis, and additional dosing after hemodialysis is not necessary.
- For patients on hemodialysis, the recommended dosage is 5 mg orally or chewed once daily.
Contraindications
The assessment of risk and benefit is essential when dealing with medical conditions such as bladder neck obstruction, prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention, and glaucoma.
Regarding the syrup form of Histamed:
- It should not be used in individuals with hypersensitivity to Histamed dihydrochloride, hydroxyzine, any piperazine derivatives, or any of the components of Histamed.
- Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <10 mL/min) should avoid Histamed.
- Individuals with rare hereditary conditions of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption should refrain from taking Histamed.
Special warnings and precautions for use
Follow your doctor’s instructions when using Histamed. Read the medicine label for precise dosing details.
- Blister Unit Usage: Keep the blister unit in the carton until ready to use. Open the blister carefully with dry hands. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Peel back the foil and place the tablet on your tongue. It dissolves rapidly and can be swallowed with saliva. You can take Histamed with or without water. Consume the tablet immediately after opening; do not save it for later use.
- Missed Dose: If you’re on a regular Histamed regimen and miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If the next dose is near, skip the missed dose and return to your usual schedule. Avoid taking two doses simultaneously.
- Questions: If you have any queries about using Histamed, consult your healthcare provider.
Medications serve specific and general purposes. They can be used to prevent, treat, or cure diseases, as well as address specific symptoms. The form of medication (injection, tablet, etc.) depends on the patient’s needs. Some drugs are suitable for short-term use, while others require prolonged use for maximum benefits.
Histamed is a combination medication employed to manage tension headaches. It comprises:
- Acetaminophen, which alleviates headache pain.
- Caffeine, enhancing the effects of acetaminophen.
- Butalbital, a sedative that reduces anxiety and induces relaxation and sleepiness.
Undesirable Effects of Histamed Hydrochloride in Pediatric Patients:
Histamed hydrochloride was evaluated in pediatric studies, involving more than 1300 patients aged 6 to 11 years. Among them, over 900 were treated with Histamed hydrochloride at doses ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg per day. These patients participated in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials conducted in the United States, with treatment durations spanning from 2 to 12 weeks.
In trials lasting up to 4 weeks, 168 pediatric patients aged 2 to 5 years received Histamed hydrochloride, primarily as a single daily dose of 5 mg. Another trial, lasting 18 months, involved 399 patients aged 12 to 24 months treated with Histamed (0.25 mg/kg bid). Additionally, a trial lasting 7 days included 42 patients aged 6 to 11 months treated with Histamed (0.25 mg/kg bid).
Conclusion
Histamed hydrochloride is a medication that has been studied and evaluated for use in pediatric patients, particularly those aged 6 months to 11 years.
The clinical trials conducted in the United States included a substantial number of participants and spanned various durations, ranging from short-term to longer studies.
The majority of adverse reactions reported in these pediatric patients were mild or moderate in severity, with discontinuations due to adverse events being relatively uncommon.
Notably, the incidence of adverse effects was generally higher with Histamed hydrochloride compared to a placebo in certain trials.
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