Generic Name: carbinoxamine (car bi NOX a meen)Brand Names: Palgic
Carbinoxamine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Carbinoxamine is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold.
Carbinoxamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Histex I/E (carbinoxamine)?Always ask a doctor before giving a cold or allergy medicine to a child. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Deaths have been reported in children under 2 years old who had received carbinoxamine, although it has not been determined that carbinoxamine was the cause of these deaths. Talk with your doctor about other FDA-approved products available for use in young children with cold or allergy symptoms. Do not use carbinoxamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take carbinoxamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Carbinoxamine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of carbinoxamine.Call your doctor if you have a fever, or if your symptoms get worse or do not improve after taking this medicine for 7 days.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Histex I/E (carbinoxamine)?Always ask a doctor before giving a cold or allergy medicine to a child. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Deaths have been reported in children under 2 years old who had received carbinoxamine, although it has not been determined that carbinoxamine was the cause of these deaths. Talk with your doctor about other FDA-approved products available for use in young children with cold or allergy symptoms. Do not use carbinoxamine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take carbinoxamine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbinoxamine, or if you are breast-feeding.If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take carbinoxamine:
glaucoma;
a stomach ulcer;
a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
an enlarged prostate or urination problems;
overactive thyroid;
heart disease, high blood pressure; or
asthma.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Always ask a doctor before giving a cold or allergy medicine to a child, even if the medicine label provides dosing instructions for children. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.Carbinoxamine can be taken with or without food.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.Measure the liquid form of carbinoxamine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.
Store carbinoxamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, dry mouth, hallucinations, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).
feeling light-headed, fainting;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
wheezing, tightness in your chest;
fast or pounding heartbeat; or
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding.
Less serious side effects may include:
drowsiness, dizziness;
lack of coordination;
upset stomach;
stuffy nose, chest congestion;
sleep problems (insomnia);
feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
dry mouth or nose; or
blurred vision.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with carbinoxamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.