Antihistamine (oral route, parenteral route, rectal route)

AHIST, Alavert, Allegra, Aller-Chlor, Aller-G-Time, Antivert, Atarax, Benadryl, Brovex, Children's Benadryl Allergy Fastmelt, Children's Pedia Care, Clarinex, Complete Allergy, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Diphen, Dormin Sleep Aid, Dramamine, Dytan, Dytuss, FusePaq Dicopanol, Histex PD, Hydramine, Lodrane, Nolahist, Optimine, Pediatex 12, Periactin, Polaramine, Q-dryl, Quenalin, Serabrina LA France, Siladryl, Silphen, Simply Allergy, Simply Sleep, Sleep-Ettes D, Sleep Formula, Sleepinal, Sominex, Tavist, Twilite, Unisom, Unisom Sleepgels Maximum Strength, Vistaril, Xyzal, Zymine, ZyrTEC, Allergy Formula, Allergy Formula Liquid, Basic Care Allergy Relief Caplets, Benadryl Allergy Children's, Benadryl Children's, Buckley's Jack & Jill Bedtime, Clear Allergy Formula For Adults And Children, Diphedryl Clear, Equate Nighttime Sleep Aid Liquid - Berry Flavour, Exact Allergy Formula Caplets, Exact Nighttime Sleep-Aid - Berry, Gravol

Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Also, in some persons histamine can close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult. Some of the antihistamines are also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In patients with Parkinson's disease, diphenhydramine may be used to decrease stiffness and tremors. Also, the syrup form of diphenhydramine is used to relieve the cough due to colds or hay fever. In addition, since antihistamines may cause drowsiness as a side effect, some of them may be used to help people go to sleep. Hydroxyzine is used in the treatment of nervous and emotional conditions to help control anxiety. It can also be used to help control anxiety and produce sleep before surgery. Some antihistamines are used in the treatment of chronic urticaria, which is a persistent hive-like rash. Antihistamines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Antihistamine preparations are available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age.Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects . Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium, low-sugar, or any other special diet. Most medicines contain more than their active ingredient, and many liquid medicines contain alcohol. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Serious side effects, such as convulsions (seizures), are more likely to occur in younger patients and would be of greater risk to infants than to older children or adults. In general, children are more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Also, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in children. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age.Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects . Elderly patients are usually more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Confusion; difficult or painful urination; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling faint; or dryness of mouth, nose, or throat may be more likely to occur in elderly patients. Also, nightmares or unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in elderly patients. Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use in the first months of pregnancy since it has been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies when given in doses many times higher than the usual human dose. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor. Desloratadine and fexofenadine have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that these medicines cause birth defects or other problems when given in doses higher than the usual human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant. Azatadine, brompheniramine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, and loratadine have not been studied in pregnant women. However, these medicines have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies. Small amounts of antihistamines pass into the breast milk. Use is not recommended since babies are more susceptible to the side effects of antihistamines, such as unusual excitement or irritability. Also, since these medicines tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some patients. It is not known yet whether cetirizine, desloratadine, or loratadine cause these same side effects. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take. Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using medicines in this class with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use your medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: