Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Hayfever
Rhinitis - allergic
Urticaria

Contraindications

Children under 12 years
Patients over 65 years
Galactosaemia
Severe hepatic impairment
Severe renal impairment

Precautions and Warnings

Breastfeeding
Epileptic disorder
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hepatic impairment
Lactose intolerance
Moderate renal impairment
Pregnancy

Advise ability to drive/operate machinery may be affected by side effects
Contains lactose
Advise patient that the effects of alcohol may be potentiated
Advise patient to consult a doctor if symptoms persist despite treatment

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use acrivastine with caution in pregnancy.

The manufacturer notes that no information on the use of acrivastine in human pregnancy is available and consequently should only be used if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any risk to the developing foetus.

Animal studies did not produce embryotoxic or teratogenic effects and did not show altered fertility.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use acrivastine with caution in breastfeeding.

The manufacturer notes that no information on the use of acrivastine in human breastfeeding is available and consequently should only be used if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any risk to the nursing infant.

There is no information on the use of acrivastine in human breast feeding.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Dizziness
Dry mouth
Dyspnoea
Facial swelling
Hypersensitivity reactions
Rash
Somnolence

Presentation

Capsules containing acrivastine

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Hayfever
Rhinitis - allergic
Urticaria

Dosage

Adults

Children

Patients with Renal Impairment

Contraindications

Children under 12 years
Patients over 65 years
Galactosaemia
Severe hepatic impairment
Severe renal impairment

Precautions and Warnings

Breastfeeding
Epileptic disorder
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hepatic impairment
Lactose intolerance
Moderate renal impairment
Pregnancy

Advise ability to drive/operate machinery may be affected by side effects
Contains lactose
Advise patient that the effects of alcohol may be potentiated
Advise patient to consult a doctor if symptoms persist despite treatment

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use acrivastine with caution in pregnancy.

The manufacturer notes that no information on the use of acrivastine in human pregnancy is available and consequently should only be used if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any risk to the developing foetus.

Animal studies did not produce embryotoxic or teratogenic effects and did not show altered fertility.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use acrivastine with caution in breastfeeding.

The manufacturer notes that no information on the use of acrivastine in human breastfeeding is available and consequently should only be used if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any risk to the nursing infant.

There is no information on the use of acrivastine in human breast feeding.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Dizziness
Dry mouth
Dyspnoea
Facial swelling
Hypersensitivity reactions
Rash
Somnolence

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: November 2016

Reference Sources

Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary. 72nd ed. London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press; 2016.

Summary of product characteristics: Benadryl Allergy Relief. McNeil Products Limited. Revised May 2016.

The Renal Drug Handbook. Fourth Edition (2014) ed. Ashley, C and Dunleavy, A, Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, London.