rupatadine fumarate at a glance
Medicine class
Second-generation, peripherally acting H1 antihistamine
Licensed uses
Symptom relief in allergic rhinitis and urticaria
Food
May be taken with or without food; avoid grapefruit juice
Alertness
Sleepiness can occur; establish your response before driving or operating machinery
What is rupatadine fumarate used for?
Selected products are licensed for symptomatic treatment of:
Allergic rhinitis in adults and adolescents over 12 years using tablets
Urticaria in adults and adolescents over 12 years using tablets
Allergic rhinitis, including persistent allergic rhinitis, in children aged 2 to 11 years using oral solution
Urticaria in children aged 2 to 11 years using oral solution
How does rupatadine fumarate work?
Rupatadine selectively blocks peripheral histamine H1 receptors, reducing histamine-driven itching, hives, sneezing, and nasal or eye symptoms. Active metabolites also retain antihistamine activity; laboratory effects on mast-cell mediator release have uncertain clinical relevance.
rupatadine fumarate preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg/mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
How to take rupatadine fumarate
Take rupatadine exactly as prescribed. It may be taken with or without food, but avoid grapefruit juice.
Swallow tablets with sufficient liquid.
For oral solution, measure the prescribed amount with the supplied oral syringe, administer directly from it, and wash the syringe afterwards.
Check how it affects alertness before driving or using machinery.
rupatadine fumarate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Weakness or fatigue
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
rupatadine fumarate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information for rupatadine is very limited, so product information advises avoiding it as a precaution. A prescriber should review whether treatment is needed and whether a better-studied option, such as loratadine or cetirizine, is suitable.
rupatadine fumarate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether rupatadine passes into human milk. Discuss the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment with a prescriber; specialist guidance generally prefers cetirizine or loratadine because more breastfeeding evidence is available.
rupatadine fumarate interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, including itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin, some HIV protease inhibitors and nefazodone
These can substantially increase rupatadine exposure and should be avoided.
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, including erythromycin, fluconazole and diltiazem
These may increase rupatadine exposure and require caution.
Common questions about rupatadine fumarate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is rupatadine fumarate a non-drowsy antihistamine?
It is a second-generation antihistamine and is generally less sedating than older antihistamines, but sleepiness and dizziness can still occur.
Can rupatadine fumarate be taken with food?
Yes. The selected tablet and oral-solution products may be taken with or without food.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.