Description

Rupatadine is a long-acting, non-sedative antagonist of histamine H1-receptors. It also antagonizes the platelet activating factor (PAF). Both histamine and PAF cause broncho constriction which leads to an increase in the vascular permeability and act as a mediator in the inflammatory process. With the dual mode of action, Rupatadine shows better therapeutic effect than an isolated antihistamine. Rupatadine possesses other anti allergic properties such as the inhibition of the degranulation of mast cells induced by immunological and non immunological stimuli and inhibition of the release of cytokines, particularly of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) in human mastocytes and monocytes.

With medicine: The concomitant administration of Rupatadine 20 mg and ketoconazole or erythromycin increases the systemic exposure. Rupatadine should be used with caution when it is administered concomitantly with these drug substances and other inhibitors of the isozyme CYP3A4. Rupatadine should be used with caution when it is co-administered with statins, CNS depressants or alcohol. With food: Grapefruit and Grapefruit juice should not be taken simultaneously with Rupatadine

Hypersensitivity to Rupatadine or to any of the excipients.

Common: Asthenia, dizziness, drowsiness. Uncommon: Appetite increased, arthralgia, back pain, concentration impaired, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dry throat, epistaxis, fever, gastrointestinal discomfort, increased risk of infection, irritability, malaise, myalgia, nasal dryness, nausea, oropharyngeal pain, rash, thirst, vomiting, weight increased. Rare: Palpitations, tachycardia.

There is no clinical data available on the exposure of Rupatadine during pregnancy. Pregnant women should therefore not use Rupatadine unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk for the infant. No information is available, whether Rupatadine is excreted in the mother's milk. Therefore, it should not be used during lactation, unless the potential benefits for the mother justify the potential risk to the infant.

Rupatadine should be used with caution in patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, patients with uncorrected hypokalemia, and patients with ongoing proarrhythmic conditions, such as clinically significant bradycardia or acute myocardial ischemia. Rupatadine should be used with caution in elderly patients (65 years and older). As there is no clinical experience in patients with impaired kidney or liver function, the use of Rupatadine 10 mg tablets is at present not recommended in these patients.

Elderly: Rupatadine should be used with caution in elderly. No information is available that indicates the requirement of any dose adjustment in this population. Children: Neither the safety nor the efficacy of Rupatadine has been established in patients less than 12 years of age. Patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency: Use of Rupatadine is not recommended in patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency. As no relevant clinical data is available.