mepyramine maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Topical antihistamine
Licensed uses
Skin irritation caused by insect bites, insect stings and nettle stings
Route
Applied to the skin
Age
The selected product is licensed for adults and children over 2 years
What is mepyramine maleate used for?
The selected product is licensed for symptomatic relief of local skin irritation caused by:
Insect bites
Insect stings
Nettle stings
How does mepyramine maleate work?
Mepyramine blocks the local effects of histamine, a chemical released during allergic and inflammatory reactions. This helps reduce itching and irritation and has local pain-relieving activity.
mepyramine maleate preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 2% w/w
How to take mepyramine maleate
Use only on the skin and follow the pack leaflet or instructions from a healthcare professional.
Apply directly to affected intact skin.
Do not apply to eczema, cuts, grazes, badly broken skin, sunburn or large areas of skin.
Stop using it if redness, swelling or itching increases where it was applied.
Seek advice if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
mepyramine maleate side effects
Get urgent medical advice
- Stop using the cream and seek urgent help for difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat.
- Stop using it and ask a pharmacist or clinician about increased redness, swelling or itching where it was applied; this may indicate skin sensitisation.
- Drowsiness or mild disorientation is theoretically possible if substantial absorption occurs, particularly after inappropriate application over large areas.
mepyramine maleate in pregnancy
Product-specific safety evidence in human pregnancy is insufficient. The selected product should not be used during pregnancy unless a prescriber considers it essential, so seek advice before use.
mepyramine maleate while breastfeeding
The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding unless considered essential by a prescriber. Although topical antihistamines generally produce very low systemic and milk exposure, product-specific advice remains more restrictive; obtain professional advice before use and avoid applying it where an infant could contact or ingest it.
mepyramine maleate interactions
No significant medicine interactions are described for the selected topical product. Tell a pharmacist or prescriber about other medicines, including non-prescription and herbal products, if uncertain.
No specific interacting medicine or class identified
Clinically significant interactions are not described in the product information.
Common questions about mepyramine maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is mepyramine maleate an antihistamine?
Yes. It is a topical antihistamine that blocks the local effects of histamine in the skin.
Can mepyramine maleate be used on eczema or broken skin?
No. The selected cream is contraindicated on eczematous, cut, grazed or extensively broken skin.
Can mepyramine maleate be used on sunburn or a large area?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.