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Terfenadine is a non-sedative antihistamine. Dosage in adults is 60
mg twice daily. It has the potential to induce ventricular arrhythmias
so it is essential to check the contraindications and to take a careful drug history.
Terfenadine should not be used if a patient has heart or liver problems; a patient
should not take terfenadine with grapefruit juice; and the recommended dose should
never be exceeded. Terfenadine interacts with some other medications e.g.
erythromycin and clarithromycin. Possible interactions with terfenadine should
be checked before prescribing terfenadine. Terfenadine is now only available
on prescription. The summary of product characteristics must be consulted
before prescribing terfenadine. Notes: - terfenadine is only available
in the UK on a named-patient basis through specialist importers. There are no
longer any licensed preparations containing terfenadine available in the UK (November
2005)
Reference: - Committee on Safety of Medicines (21/4/1997).
Terfenadine: proposed change to prescription use, letter from Professor M D Rawlins.
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Current Issues in Pharmacovigilance (1997), 23, 9.
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