Home Drug Guide Pyrilamine Maleate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Pyrilamine Maleate

Brand Names

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine

Pharmacological: H1 antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

N/A

Mechanism of Action

Pyrilamine Maleate is an H1 histamine receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of histamine at H1 receptor sites, thereby reducing allergic responses.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosage varies; typically 25-50 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 300 mg/day.

Pediatric: Use with caution; dosage is usually 1 mg/kg body weight per day divided into multiple doses.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity and risk of adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dosage based on renal function; consult prescribing information.

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; no specific guidelines, monitor for efficacy and toxicity.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the blood-brain barrier, causing sedation.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine.

Half Life: Approx. 4-6 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to pyrilamine or similar antihistamines.
  • Use caution in patients with glaucoma, urinary retention, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in elderly, children, and those with central nervous system depression.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation, drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth, dizziness (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • CNS depression, respiratory depression (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions including rash, urticaria (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants, alcohol, other sedatives

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for sedative effects, allergic reactions, and anticholinergic side effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for falls in elderly due to sedation or dizziness.
  • Altered sleep pattern related to sedative effects.

Implementation: Administer with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset; educate patients about sedation and safety measures.

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Avoid activities requiring alertness until response is known.
  • Do not consume alcohol or CNS depressants without consulting healthcare provider.
  • Report excessive drowsiness, allergic reactions, or other side effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • CNS depression, especially in elderly, young children, or if combined with other CNS depressants.

Genetic Factors: Not specifically linked to genetic testing.

Lab Test Interference: None known.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, respiratory depression.

Treatment: Supportive care, ensure airway patency, administer activated charcoal if within appropriate time frame, and provide symptomatic treatment.

Storage and Handling

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

Stability: Stable under proper 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.