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ACRIVASTINE/PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

Medical Diagnosis and Drugs, Medications
ACRIVASTINE/PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
(a-cri-vas'teen)
Semprex-D (combination with pseudoephedrine)
Classifications: h1-receptor antagonist; decongestant;
Therapeutic: antihistamine; decongestant
Prototype: Diphenhydramine
Pregnancy Category: B

Availability

Acrivastine 8 mg/pseudoephedrine 60 mg capsules

Action

Acrivastine is an H1-receptor histamine antagonist that controls histamine-mediated symptoms and acts on sympathetic nerve endings. Pseudoephedrine shrinks swollen nasal mucous membranes and reduces nasal congestion of the mucosa.

Therapeutic Effect

It is effective in allergic rhinitis by reducing nasal congestion and decreasing respiratory mucosa swelling.

Uses

Seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis with nasal congestion.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to acrivastine, triprolidine, pseudoephedrine, or ephedrine; severe hypertension or severe coronary artery disease; patients on MAO inhibitor drugs; uncontrolled hypertension; tachycardia, acute cardiac arrhythmias; closed-angle glaucoma.

Cautious Use

Renal insufficiency, hypertension, DM, ischemic heart disease, increased intraocular pressure, hyperthyroidism, BPH, GI disorders, older adults, pregnancy (category B), lactation. Safety and effectiveness in children <12 y is not established.

Route & Dosage

Allergic Rhinitis
Adult: PO 1 tab (8 mg acrivastine/60 mg pseudoephedrine) t.i.d.

Administration

Oral
  • Do not give to patients with a creatinine clearance of 48 mL/min or less.
  • Store at 15°–25° C (59°–77° F); protect from light and moisture.

Adverse Effects (≥1%)

CNS: Headache, vertigo, dizziness, insomnia, jitteriness, drowsiness. GI: Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia.

Interactions

Drug: Alcohol may increase psychomotor impairment.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly from GI tract. Onset: 1 h. Duration: Approximately 12 h. Metabolism: In liver. Elimination: Approximately 65% excreted unchanged in urine. Half-Life: 1.5 h.

Nursing Implications

Assessment & Drug Effects

  • Monitor for dizziness, sedation, urinary obstruction, and hypotension, especially in older adults.
  • Assess for significant drowsiness, which may necessitate drug discontinuation.

Patient & Family Education

  • Do not use this drug in combination with other OTC antihistamines or decongestants.
  • Do not drive or engage in potentially hazardous activities until response to drug is known.
  • Do not take alcohol or other CNS depressants while taking this drug.

Common adverse effects in italic, life-threatening effects underlined; generic names in bold; classifications in SMALL CAPS; Canadian drug name; Prototype drug

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