Home Drug Guide Clemastine Fumarate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Clemastine Fumarate

Brand Names Tavist, Tavist-1

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria

Pharmacological: H1 antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Urticaria (hives)
  • Allergic conjunctivitis

Mechanism of Action

Clemastine Fumarate blocks H1 histamine receptors, preventing histamine from exerting its effects on target tissues, thereby alleviating allergy symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 1 mg 2-4 times daily, not exceeding 12 mg/day

Pediatric: Children aged 6-12 years: 1 mg 2-4 times daily; older children can be dosed similarly to adults

Geriatric: Start with lower dose due to increased sensitivity and potential for adverse effects; monitor closely

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on severity of impairment

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; may require dose adjustments; consult specific guidelines

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract

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

Metabolism: Minimal hepatic metabolism; primarily excreted unchanged

Excretion: Primarily via kidneys

Half Life: Around 9 hours

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to clemastine or other antihistamines
  • Newborns or infants

Precautions

  • Use with caution in elderly, in patients with glaucoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or during pregnancy and lactation

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation, drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Dizziness (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Palpitations, tachycardia (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions (rash, angioedema) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (enhanced sedation)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (potential hypertensive crisis)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for sedation level, effectiveness of allergy symptom relief

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective airway clearance related to sedation

Implementation: Administer as scheduled, caution with operating machinery or driving

Evaluation: Assess symptom control and adverse effects regularly

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed
  • Avoid alcohol and CNS depressants
  • Caution when driving or operating machinery
  • Report any excessive drowsiness or adverse reactions

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None specific

Lab Test Interference: None known

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe drowsiness, hallucinations, convulsions, pupil dilation, tachycardia

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal if ingestion recent, monitor vital signs, manage symptoms; no specific antidote

Storage and Handling

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

Stability: Stable for 2-3 years when stored properly

🛡️ 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.