carbinoxamine
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) is an extended-release oral suspension that treats many symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions, such as runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, rash, and sneezing. It's a prescription antihistamine that's used in adults and children ages 2 years and older. The suspension is taken by mouth every 12 hours. Side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, and stomach pain.
What is Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine)?
What is Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) used for?
- Seasonal and year-round allergies
- Eye inflammation from airborne allergens or food
- Vasomotor (non-allergic) rhinitis
- Mild skin symptoms of hives and angioedema
- Dermatographism (condition with raised welts or hives caused by light scratching or pressure)
- Severe allergic reaction when used together with epinephrine
- Allergic reactions to blood or plasma products
How Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) works
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) is an antihistamine. It blocks a natural chemical in your body called histamine, which is responsible for many allergy symptoms. By blocking histamine in your body, it helps relieve symptoms like itching, sneezing, and rash.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Karbinal ER |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Trouble with coordination or movement
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Thick mucus in the lungs
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin sensitivity to light
- Chills
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Fast heartbeat
- Tiredness
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble urinating
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: rash, hives, itchiness, shortness of breath, chest tightness; swelling of lips, tongue, face, or eyes
The following Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
Pros and cons of Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine)
Pros
- Treats many symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions
- Comes as a flavored suspension for better taste
- Can be used in children as young as 2 years old
- Is an extended-release solution that can be taken twice a day
Cons
- Commonly causes sleepiness and dizziness
- Can cause dry mouth, nose, and throat
- Interacts with many medications
- Can worsen certain medical conditions including glaucoma, stomach ulcers, and urinary problems
Pharmacist tips for Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine)
- Take Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) with or without food. If it hurts your stomach, taking it with food might help.
- Shake your Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) bottle well before each use. Space your doses 12 hours apart. Don't double up or take doses too close together as this can lead to more side effects like sleepiness and dizziness.
- Store Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) at room temperature. Use a medication dosing cup or oral syringe to measure the dose. If you need one, ask your pharmacy. Avoid household spoons because they might not be accurate and could lead you to take the wrong dose.
- Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) can make you sleepy, dizzy, and lose your balance. Don't drive until you know how this medication affects you. Also, avoid drinking alcohol because it can worsen these side effects.
- Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) can interact with other medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and other medications that make you sleepy. Tell your prescriber about all the medications you take before starting Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine).
- Avoid taking other antihistamines while taking Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine). Many over-the-counter (OTC) products contain antihistamines, and taking more than one can raise your risk of antihistamine overdose, which can lead to serious side effects like heart problems, seizures, or even death.
- Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) isn't recommended while breastfeeding because it can cause serious harm to children under 2 years old. Let your prescriber know if you're breastfeeding. They can help figure out a safer alternative for you to use.
- Store Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) up and away from children and pets. That way, they're less likely to reach it and accidentally take the medication. If you think your child accidentally took the medication, call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Risks and warnings for Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine)
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Death in young children
- Risk factors: Children under 2 years old
Children under 2 years old should never take Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) since deaths have been reported in this age group. So keeping this medication away from young children is very important for their safety. It's also important to avoid breastfeeding since the medication likely passes into breastmilk which can cause serious harm to young children. If your child under 2 accidentally takes the medication, call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. For children under age 2, discuss safer treatment options with your child's pediatrician.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Alcohol | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Older adults
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) can make you sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're an older adult, drink alcohol while taking Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine), or take other medications that cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. It's best to avoid alcohol while taking Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine). Talk to your prescriber about possible interactions with other medications and how to manage them.
Worsening of medical conditions
Make sure your care team knows about all of your medical conditions before starting Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine). Though this medication is an antihistamine, it also has anticholinergic effects, which can worsen the symptoms of many conditions. These conditions include glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, trouble urinating, and an enlarged prostate.
Allergy to sulfites
- Risk factors: Asthma
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) contains sulfites that can cause serious, life-threatening allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Let your prescriber know if you’re allergic to sulfites or have a history of asthma. Get medical help right away if you experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness.
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) dosage
Ml of oral suspension| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4mg/5ml | 300 ml | $95.30 | $0.32 |
How much does Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) cost?
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Children under age 2
- Taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and selegiline (Eldepryl)
What are alternatives to Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine)?
Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine) images
