Dimethindene maleate
Brands Names: Fenistil, Foristal
- Form of administration: Drops
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Why is the drug here:
One of the most common Medicines2022 in pediatrics and in general.
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Purpose of treatment:
The purpose of the drug is to relieve allergy symptoms including itching, stinging, redness and more.
- Ingredients: It is a first-generation antihistamine drug whose active ingredient is called Dimethindene Maleate.
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How to use:
The recommended dose of Dimethindene maleate in drops is usually one drop per kilogram of body weight, up to three times a day. For example, if a child weighs 12 kilograms, he can get 12 drops, three times a day. The maximum dose is usually 20 drops three times a day (up to 60 drops per day), although in exceptional cases a higher dose may be given. The gel treatment is directly on the area with the allergic reaction, usually up to three times a day.
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Benefits:
An advantage of this drug is the fact that it can be used in very young children, while in second-generation antihistamines, there is an age limit. It can be used from one month of age, although use at a young age under one year of age requires medical approval and supervision.
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Side Effects:
In fact, this drug is considered a first-generation drug of antihistamines and as such it crosses the blood-brain barrier. Due to the fact that it also penetrates the brain, this drug has sedative properties, meaning sedation and drowsiness. Sometimes we want this “side effect”, in order to soothe allergy symptoms. Having said that, as a pediatrician, in many of the cases I will not use fenistil, but a second generation drug that does not cross this blood-brain barrier and causes this effect.
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Another word from the doctor:
I hear and see many physicians who recommend these drops for the treatment of rhinitis in young children. This is the place to mention, that in young children most of the cases of rhinitis are caused by viral infections and are not due to allergy. So other than getting the child to sleep better due to the other “features” of this drug (and I accept that a child’s good sleep has an important value) it is not really treating the problem.