Carbinoxamine

Carbinoxamine is an H1 class antihistamine. It was first launched in the United States by the McNeil Corporation under the brand name Clistin. It is now available under the brand name Palgic as 4 mg tablets or 4 mg/5 mL liquid. It is FDA approved (specifically at the 4 mg dose/strength) for hay fever (a.k.a. allergic rhinitis, SAR and PAR); vasomotor rhinitis; mild urticaria; angioedema, dermatographism and allergic conjunctivitis.

Carbinoxamine liquid is popular with children because the taste is very mild and easily swallowed. Palgic liquid is clear and has a bubble gum flavor.

In June, 2006 the FDA announced that more than 120 branded pharmacy products containing carbinoxamine were being illegally marketed, and demanded they be removed from the marketplace. This action was precipitated by twenty-one reported deaths in children under the age of two who had been administered carbinoxamine-containing products. Despite the fact that the drug had not been studied in this age group, a multitude of OTC preparations containing carbinoxamine were being marketed for infants and toddlers. At present, all carbinoxamine-containing formulations are approved only for adults or children ages 3 or older.