Tavegil®

Definition / active ingredient

The active ingredient of the drug Tavegil® is called clemastine and belongs to the group of so-called antihistamines, which are better known under the name antiallergics. The drug is used for urticaria (hives) and allergies that are associated with typical symptoms such as sneezing and discharge from the nose. Tavegil® is also used for itching of various causes such as chickenpox, contact allergies or eczema.

General / dosage form / dosage

The drug Tavegil® is available in various forms of application. Depending on the area of ​​application, Tavegil® is available as Tablet, syrup, gel or as Solution for injection for spraying. The gel can be applied to the affected areas several times a day.

The Tablet usually contains 1 milligram with the active ingredient clemastine. Adults and children / adolescents aged 12 and over can take one tablet each morning and evening. In particularly severe cases of hives or allergies, the dose can be increased to a total of 6 tablets, which corresponds to a total dose of 6 milligrams of clemastine. However, you should not increase the dose directly to 6 tablets, but always check after each additional tablet whether this amount is sufficient to relieve the symptoms. Children from 6 to 12 years can also take Tavegil®, but in one lower dosage. From 6 years of age, it is recommended to take half a tablet twice a day (increase to a maximum of 2 tablets per day).

Of the Tavegil®-Syrup contains 0.05 milligrams per milliliter of the active ingredient clemastine. 10 milliliters of syrup are equivalent to about two teaspoons. When taking the syrup, there are also age-specific differences in dosage. Children aged 2-4 years are allowed to take 5 milliliters of syrup twice a day. At the age of 5-6 years, children are allowed to take 10 milliliters twice a day. From the age of 7-12 it is 10 milliliters twice a day, which can be increased to up to 15 milliliters twice a day in severe cases. From the age of 12, the recommended dose increases to 20 milliliters each morning and evening. The Tavegil® syrup should each morning and evening before meals be taken.

The Tavegil® solution for injection is usually not at home applied. This only takes place in the hospital or in the Doctor's office usein order to prevent histamine-related allergic reactions in the context of, for example, radiological examinations with contrast media or in the context of severe allergic reactions that require immediate intervention.

Mode of action

The active ingredient in clemastine belongs to the group of Antihistamines. The active ingredient represents one Antagonists (Opponent or inhibitor) at the histamine receptor H1 represent. Histamine is a Messenger substance in the human body, its effect for example as Tissue hormone or as Transmitter in the Nervous system shows. Histamine plays an important and decisive role allergic reactions to. Histamine effects in the context of Inflammatory response a swelling of the tissue.

Histamine is stored in various cells in the body. It comes in cells of the Bronchi or des Gastrointestinal tract and also in the Mucous membrane in front. High concentrations of histamine can also be found in different Blood cells such as mast cells or the so-called basophilic granulocytes, which is a subset of the white blood cells are.

At immediate type allergic reactions it comes to one massive release of histamine from the mast cells. The release of histamine causes multiple effects in the body, like one Vasodilation with a increased risk of edema in the skin and the mucous membranes to form. Due to the vasodilatation, it can also become a Drop in blood pressure come. Itching, redness and also Swelling are typical skin reactions to histamine. These symptoms can therefore be reduced by inhibiting the H1 histamine receptors, since the effect of the histamine cannot be mediated.

Metabolism

The active ingredient in Tavegil® can almost completely absorbed by the body become. The blocking effect of histamine inhibitors (antihistaminergic effect) reaches theirs Peak after about 5-7 hours. Like many other drugs, Tavegil® is metabolized in the liver. After metabolism it will then excreted via the kidneys and the urine.

Contraindications

Do not ingest you should use Tavegil® if you have a Hypersensitivity Has. Other antiallergic drugs with a chemically similar active ingredient should also be avoided. Patient with a increased pressure in the eyedue to a drainage disorder (so-called Angle-closure glaucoma) exists or one symptomatic enlargement of the prostate should also not take Tavegil®.

There are insufficient data available for use in the case of impaired liver and kidney function. It is therefore advisable not to take Tavegil® tablets / syrup. In patients with existing Heart disease, Disturbances in the area of ​​electrolytes in the blood or one congenital so-called long QT syndrome one should be extra careful and possibly EKG controls cause, as taking Tavegil® may increase your risk of Cardiac arrhythmias can come.

Side effects

As with any medication, it may also increase with the use of Tavegil®, regardless of the dosage form Side effects come. It happens very often here pronounced fatigue. The reason for this is the attachment points of the active substance to certain receptors in the brain. The active ingredient clemastine belongs to the group of 1st generation H1 receptor inhibitors. This means that this generation, in contrast to the following generations, also has an effect on the brain and this can lead to increased fatigue.

If this effect is not desired, one should fall back on preparations of the 2nd or 3rd generation when treating an allergy. Dry mouth and a headache, but also dizziness can occasionally occur as a side effect. Likewise can Skin reactions, nausea and Constipation occur. Rarely does it happen Increase in heart rate while taking Tavegil®. Symptoms of a Overdose can Disorientation, cramps or Tiredness and drowsiness be. Other symptoms can be one too low blood pressure, coma, dry mouth or gastrointestinal discomfort from an overdose.

Interactions

There may be interactions in the simultaneous use from Tavegil® with others Medication come. The main focus here is on the effect of the Tavegil® reinforced. Painkillers, sleeping pills or Psychotropic drugs can increase the effect of Tavegil®. Anesthetics or the consumption of alcohol also lead to a Effect enhancement.

So-called Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors), which, among other things, is part of a depression-Treatment are used, mainly strengthen the anticholinergic effect of Tavegil®. Anticholinergic means one Inhibition of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is mainly responsible for the effective transmission of the Parasympathetic nervous system is responsible in the body. The anticholinergic effect of Tavegil® is shown, among other things, in Dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention, but also in dilated pupils and one fast heart rate.

The parallel use of Tavegil® and a certain group of Antibioticsthat belong to the group of macrolides (example substances are erythromycin, clarithromycin) should be avoided. Likewise, the simultaneous intake of Tavegil® with drugs of the “azole type” should be avoided in the case of fungal diseases.