Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Acrivastine may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for
This medicine is a medicine which is used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and other allergic conditions such as pet or dust allergies. The capsules contain acrivastine which is an antihistamine that helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. It can also be used to treat the symptoms of urticaria, also known as hives, where the skin looks blotchy with white raised wheals (bumps) surrounded by redness. This medicine is for use in adults under 65 years old and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
2.
What you need to know before you take it
e this medicine
This medicine is suitable for most adults under 65 years old and adolescents aged 12 years and over but a few people should not use it. If you are in any doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take this medicine If you have ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients, or to the antihistamine triprolidine. If you have severe kidney disease. If any of these apply to you, get advice from a doctor or pharmacist without taking this medicine.
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist If you have kidney problems. If you are taking any other medicines, including: Sedatives or tranquillisers (used to treat anxiety or sleep disorders). Ketoconazole (an antifungal used to treat fungal infections). Erythromycin (an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections). If you are not sure about any of the medicines you are taking, show the bottle or pack to your pharmacist. If any of these bullet points apply to you now or in the past, talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Special warnings about this medicine Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Caution should be used when driving or operating machinery. If this product makes you feel drowsy or dizzy, do not drive or operate machinery. This product should not be taken whilst under the influence of alcohol. As with all antihistamines, it is advisable to avoid excessive alcohol consumption when taking this medicine. This medicine contains lactose. This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3.
How to take it
Brown & Burk Allergy relief 8mg Capsules, hard
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. Check the below table to see how much medicine to take. For oral use only. Do not take more than the stated dose shown in the table. Children under 12 years old This medicine is not recommended for children aged under 12 years. Adults and Adolescents 12 – 65 years old Age Dose Adults and adolescents 12-65 years 1 Capsule up to 3 times a day. Do not take more than 3 doses in 24 hours. If symptoms persist or worsen talk to your doctor.
Adults over 65 years This medicine is not recommended for adults aged over 65 years old. If you take more Brown & Burk Allergy relief 8mg Capsules, hard than you should If anyone has too much contact a doctor or your nearest Accident and Emergency Department (Casualty) taking this leaflet and pack with you. If you forget to take Brown & Burk Allergy relief 8mg Capsules, hard If you forget to take a dose, take the next dose when needed provided that you only take a maximum of 3 Capsules in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose.
4.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience any of the following, stop using the medicine and seek immediate medical help: Unknown Sudden signs of allergy, including swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing. If you experience any of the following, stop taking this medicine and talk to your doctor: Unknown Allergic reactions including rash Other effects which may occur: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) Drowsiness Common (may affect upto 1 in 10 people) Dry mouth
Dizziness
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5.
How to store it
this medicine
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment
6.
Contents of the pack and other information
- The active substance is acrivastine 8 mg
- The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (E171), gelatin. What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack White opaque cap and white opaque body, size "3" hard gelatin capsule shells filled with white to off white colored granular powder. Approximately 16 mm in length. Pack sizes: Blister containing 9, 12, 21, 24 capsules, hard Not all pack sizes may be marketed Marketing Authorisation Holder Brown & Burk UK Ltd 5, Marryat Close, Hounslow West, Middlesex TW4 5DQ United Kingdom Manufacturer Brown & Burk UK Limited 5, Marryat Close, Hounslow West, Middlesex TW4 5DQ United Kingdom Distributed by:: Brown & Burk UK Ltd 5 Marryat Close Hounslow West TW4 5DQ United Kingdom This leaflet was last revised in 02/2020
Frequently asked questions about Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules
How do I take Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules?
Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules comes as capsule. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules?
The active substance in Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules is acrivastine.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: acrivastine
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Acrivastine is indicated for symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis, including hay fever.
Acrivastine is also indicated for chronic idiopathic urticaria.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults and adolescents 12 years – 65 years:
One 8 mg capsule, as necessary up to three times a day.
Use in the Elderly (over 65):
As yet, no specific studies have been carried out in the elderly. Until further information is available, Acrivastine should not be given to elderly patients.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Brown & Burk Allergy relief in children under 12 years of age has not yet been established.
Renal dysfunction
This product is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment.
Method of Administration
For oral use.
4.3. Contraindications
Acrivastine is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to acrivastine, triprolidine or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. Renal excretion is the principal route of elimination of acrivastine. Until specific studies have been carried out acrivastine should not be given to patients with significant renal impairment.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Concomitant administration of acrivastine with CNS depressants, including alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers, may produce additional impairment in mental alertness in some individuals.
Patients with renal impairment should consult with a physician before use.
This product may cause drowsiness (see section 4.8).
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
It is usual to advise patients not to undertake tasks requiring mental alertness whilst under the influence of alcohol and other CNS depressants. Concomitant administration of acrivastine may, in some individuals, produce additional impairment.
There are no data to demonstrate an interaction between acrivastine and ketoconazole, erythromycin or grapefruit juice. However, due to known interactions between these compounds and other non-sedating antihistamines, caution is advised.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
No information is available on the effects of administration of acrivastine during human pregnancy or lactation. Acrivastine, like most medicines, should not be used during pregnancy or lactation unless the potential benefit of treatment to the mother outweighs any possible risk to the developing foetus/nursing infant.
Fertility
Systemic administration of acrivastine in animal reproductive studies did not produce embryotoxic or teratogenic effects and did not impair fertility.
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Lactation
There is no information on the levels of acrivastine which may appear in human breast milk after administration of acrivastine.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Acrivastine may cause dizziness and somnolence. As there is individual variation in response to all medication, it is sensible to caution all patients about engaging in activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until patients are familiar with their own response to the drug.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The safety of acrivastine is based on available data from 10 placebo-controlled clinical trials with a total population of 373 treated subjects, where adverse events reported by ≥1% were assessed. Additionally, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) identified during post-marketing experience are included.
The frequencies are provided according to the following convention: Very common ≥1/10, Common ≥1/100 and < 1/10, Uncommon ≥1/1,000 and <1/100, Rare ≥1/10,000 and <1/1,000, Very rare <1/10,000, Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
ADRs identified are presented by frequency category based on 1) incidence in adequately designed clinical trials or epidemiology studies, if available or 2) when incidence is unavailable, frequency category is listed as Not known.
Adverse Drug Reactions Identified During Post-Marketing Experience with Acrivastine. Frequency Category Estimated from Clinical Trials or Epidemiology Studies
SOC
Frequency category
Adverse Event Preferred term
Immune System Disorders
Not known
Hypersensitivity (including Dyspnoea and face swelling)
Nervous system disorders
Very common
Somnolence
Common
Dizziness
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Common
Dry Mouth
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Not Known
Rash
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Symptoms
Drowsiness, restlessness, hyperactivity and tachycardia have been reported in overdose.
When the recommended therapeutic dose has been exceeded, acrivastine has been found to impair the ability to drive. This effect is related to the amount of acrivastine taken beyond the recommended maximum daily dosage.
Management
Appropriate supportive therapy, including activated charcoal should be initiated if indicated.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Acrivastin Allergy Relief capsules. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.