Home Drug Guide Azatadine Maleate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Azatadine Maleate

Brand Names Optimine

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine, for allergy relief

Pharmacological: H1-antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Urticaria (hives)

Mechanism of Action

Azatadine is an H1 receptor antihistamine that blocks the effects of histamine, thereby reducing allergy symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 10 mg taken orally once daily.

Pediatric: Dosage in children varies; consult specific guidelines.

Geriatric: Use with caution; start at lower doses due to potential increased sensitivity.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on severity of impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor for increased effects, as hepatic metabolism may be affected.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues, crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver, undergoes hepatic biotransformation.

Excretion: Primarily excreted in urine, some in feces.

Half Life: Approximately 8-10 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to azatadine or other antihistamines.
  • Use caution in elderly, individuals with urinary retention, glaucoma, or cardiovascular disease.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with asthma, it may cause CNS depression or excitation.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Dizziness (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Allergic reactions, including rash, pruritus, swelling (Rare)
  • Seizures, palpitations (Very rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants, including alcohol; other anticholinergic agents.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Alcohol may increase sedative effects.

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for effectiveness in relieving allergy symptoms and for adverse effects such as sedation or anticholinergic effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for falls due to sedation or dizziness.
  • Ineffective breathing pattern if adverse reactions occur.

Implementation: Administer with food if gastrointestinal upset occurs; advise patients about potential drowsiness.

Evaluation: Assess relief of allergy symptoms and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Avoid alcohol and sedatives; can cause drowsiness.
  • Do not operate heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
  • Report signs of allergic reactions or severe side effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations identified.

Lab Test Interference: None known.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe drowsiness, hallucinations, agitation, seizures, tachycardia.

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal if ingestion was recent, and symptomatic treatment. Consider hospitalization for severe cases.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.