Allerfin Chlorpheniramine Maleate

ALLEFRIN

Chlorpheniramin maleate

Properties: Allefrin (Chlorpheniramine maleate) has a very good therapeutic efficacy as histamine antagonizing agent with a very low incidence of side effects. It is one of the best effective antihistamines, although administered in a very low dosage which is far below any that are toxic.

Its medical actions are due to the following pharmacological properties:

a. It antagonizes the action of histamine on the plain muscles of the bronchioles, intestine and bladder,

b. It antagonizes both vasodilator and vasoconstrictor actions of histamine on the blood vessels,

c. It prevents the dilatation and increased permeability produced by histamine on the capillaries and reduces the wheal caused by intradermal injection of histamine.

Indications: Allefrin (Chlorpheniramine maleate) is used in:

- Allergic manifestations such as vasomotor rhinitis and hay fever.

- Spasmodic bronchial cough without dyspnea especially when cough preparations may prevent sleep, unless combined with sedatives. Furthermore, it can useful as a complete alternative for cough preparation s at night.

- Urticaria and angioneurotic edema.

- Serum sickness and motion sickness (antiemetic).

- Reactions from penicillin, streptomycin, sulphonamides and other drugs.

- Pruritis ani and vulvae.

- Atopic and contact dermatitis and insect bites.

- In prevention and treatment of systemic allergic reaction to injections of allergenic substances.

Precautions: This drug may produce mild sedation and it is advised that patients under continuous treatment should be examined periodically. And they have to avoid operating machinery.

Dosage:

Tablets: Adults: one tablet, 3-4 times daily

Syrup: Children: ½-1 tspful, 3-4 times daily.

Ampules: Adults: 10-20 mg by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. For severe allergies. Allerfin ampules can be also used by intravenous injection where the content of the ampule should be diluted with 5-10ml of blood and given slowly over a period of one minute.

Children: Doses of 87.5mcg/kg body weight or 2.5mg per m2 body-surface subcutaneously have been suggested.

Contraindications:

This drug should not be used in newborn or premature infants. Antihistamines should not be used to treat lower respiratory symptoms.

Do not use this drug in patients with:

Hypersensitivity to preparation, asthmatic attack, narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy

Stenosing peptic ulcer, pylorodoudenal obstruction, bladder neck obstruction, patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Warnings:

This drug may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a vchicle or operating machinery. This drug may impair mental alertness in children. The concomitant use of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants may have an addictive effect. Patients should be warned accordingly.

Adverse Effects:

Drowsiness; confusion; nervousness; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; blurring of vision; diplopia; headache; insomnia; urticaria; epigastric distress; nasal stuffiness; difficulty in urination; constipation; tightness of the chest and wheezing; thickening of bronchial secretions; dryness of mouth, nose and throat; tingling, and weakness of hands; vertigo; palpitation; drug rash; hemolytic anemia; hypotension; anaphylaxis

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