Alimemazine oral
- Drugs List
- Therapeutic Indications
- Dosage
- Contraindications
- Precautions and Warnings
- Pregnancy and Lactation
- Side Effects
- Monograph
Presentation
Oral formulations of alimemazine tartrate.
Drugs List
Therapeutic Indications
Uses
Premedication - sedative
Pruritus - general
Urticaria
Dosage
Adults
Urticaria and Pruritus
10mg two to three times a day.
A maximum of 100mg per day has been used in intractable cases.
Elderly
Urticaria and Pruritus
10mg once to twice a day.
Children
Not all formulations are suitable for use in children under 12 years and some products are not licensed for use in children under 3 years.
Urticaria and Pruritus
Children over 12 years: 10mg two to three times a day. A maximum of 100mg per day has been used in intractable cases.
Children aged 2 to 12 years: 2.5mg to 5mg three to four times a day.
Children aged 6 months to 2 years (unlicensed): 250micrograms/kg (maximum 2.5mg) three to four times a day.
Pre-anaesthetic medication
Children aged 2 to 7 years: The maximum recommended dose is 2mg/kg one to two hours before the operation.
The following alternative dosing schedule may be suitable:
Urticaria and Pruritus
Children aged 5 to 12 years: 5mg three to four times a day.
Children aged 2 to 5 years: 2.5mg three to four times a day.
Contraindications
Children under 6 months
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Breastfeeding
Epileptic disorder
Hepatic impairment
History of agranulocytosis
History of narrow angle glaucoma
Hypothyroidism
Long QT syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Parkinson's disease
Phaeochromocytoma
Renal impairment
Torsade de pointes
Precautions and Warnings
Children aged 6 months to 2 years
Elderly
Family history of long QT syndrome
Cardiovascular disorder
Electrolyte imbalance
Galactosaemia
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hereditary fructose intolerance
History of seizures
History of torsade de pointes
Hypokalaemia
Lactose intolerance
Pregnancy
Correct electrolyte disorders before treatment
Advise patient drowsiness may affect ability to drive or operate machinery
May contain sodium benzoate: mild mucous membrane irritant
Some brands contain metabisulfite, may cause bronchospasm/allergies
Some formulations contain hydroxybenzoate
Some formulations contain lactose
Some formulations contain sucrose
Some formulations may contain alcohol
Avoid contact of product with skin
Consider monitoring ECG in patients at risk of QT prolongation
Monitor serum electrolytes
Not licensed for all indications in all age groups
Advise patient to avoid alcohol during treatment
Advise patient to avoid exposure to direct sunlight
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Use alimemazine tartrate with caution during pregnancy.
The manufacturer notes that alimemazine tartrate should only be used in pregnancy if essential. There is little data on its use in pregnant women. Some phenothiazines have been shown to have harmful effects in animal studies. Neuroleptics may occasionally prolong labour, hence should be suspended until the cervix is dilated 3 to 4cm. Possible adverse effects on the neonate include lethargy or paradoxical hyperexcitability, tremor and low Apgar score.
Lactation
Alimemazine tartrate is contraindicated during breastfeeding.
The manufacturer notes that phenothiazines may be excreted in milk and that breast feeding should be suspended during treatment.
Side Effects
Acute dystonias
Agitation
Agranulocytosis
Akathisia
Akinesia
Alteration of autonomic nervous system
Altered consciousness
Amenorrhoea
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Antimuscarinic effects
Arrhythmias
Atrioventricular block
Blood disorders
Blurred vision
Bronchospasm
Cardiac arrhythmias
Confusion
Constipation
Contact sensitisation
Convulsions
Depression
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Dyskinesia
ECG changes
Excitement (paradoxical)
Extrapyramidal effects
Fever
Galactorrhoea
Gastro-intestinal symptoms
Glaucoma (closed angle)
Gynaecomastia
Headache
Hepatic impairment
Hyperprolactinaemia
Hypersensitivity reactions
Hyperthermia
Hypotension
Impotence
Insomnia
Jaundice
Leukopenia
Nasal stuffiness
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Ocular changes
Pallor
Palpitations
Parkinsonism
Photosensitivity
Postural hypotension
Prolongation of QT interval
Psychomotor impairment
Rash
Respiratory depression
Rigidity
Sedation
Sleep disturbances
ST depression
T-wave changes
Tardive dyskinesia
Tremor
U-wave changes
Urinary retention
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
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: March 2021
Reference Sources
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alfresed 7.5mg/5ml Syrup. Thame Laboratories. Revised July 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alfresed 30mg/5ml Syrup. Thame Laboratories. Revised July 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alimemazine Tartrate 10mg Film Coated tablets. Zentiva. Revised June 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alimemazine Tartrate 10mg/5ml Oral Solution, sugar free. Lucis Pharma Ltd. Revised February 2021.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alimemazine Tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Oral Solution. Zentiva. Revised December 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alimemazine Tartrate 30mg/5ml Oral Solution. Zentiva. Revised December 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alimemazine Tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup. Zentiva. Revised June 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alimemazine Tartrate 30mg/5ml Syrup. Zentiva. Revised June 2020.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Itzenal 7.5mg/5ml Oral Solution, Sugar-Free. Zentiva Pharma UK Ltd. Revised December 2021.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Itzenal 30mg/5ml Oral Solution, Sugar-Free. Zentiva Pharma UK Ltd. Revised December 2021.
NICE Evidence Services Available at: www.nice.org.uk Last accessed: 13 May 2022
Medscape UK | Univadis prescription drug monographs & interactions are based on FDB Multilex Content
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