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Carbihist (Oral)

Generic name: carbinoxamine [ kar-bin-OX-a-meen-MAL-ee-ate ]
Brand names: Arbinoxa, Carbihist, Carboxine, Histex CT, Histex I/E, ... show all 12 brands
Drug class: Antihistamines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 16, 2024.

Uses for Carbihist

Carbinoxamine is used to treat symptoms of seasonal (short-term) or perennial (long-term) allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, or wheezing. It is also used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis caused by inhaled allergens and foods, or allergic skin reactions. This medicine is an antihistamine.

Carbinoxamine is used with epinephrine to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It is also used to treat allergic reactions to blood or plasma.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Carbihist

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Use of carbinoxamine in children younger than 2 years of age is not recommended. Using this medicine in children younger than 2 years might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of carbinoxamine extended-release suspension in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, lightheadedness, or fainting, or age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of Carbihist

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Take the tablet and oral syrup on an empty stomach with water.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The teaspoons and tablespoons that are used for serving and eating food do not measure exact amounts.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

prednisone, fluticasone nasal, hydroxyzine, cetirizine, cetirizine ophthalmic, montelukast, loratadine, triamcinolone, dexamethasone ophthalmic, diphenhydramine

Precautions while using Carbihist

If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you or your child at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert and not able to think well.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of Carbihist

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Incidence not known

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Respiratory Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Carbinoxamine

Chemical Class: Carbinoxamine

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.