Rupatadine

Rupatadine is a second generation antihistamine and PAF antagonist used to treat allergies. It was discovered and developed by J. Uriach y Cia, S. A. and is marketed under several trade names such as Rupafin, Alergoliber, Rinialer, Pafinur, Rupax and Ralif.

Therapeutic indications approved

Rupatadine fumarate has been approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in adults and children over 12 years. The defined daily dose (DDD) is 10 mg orally.

Available form

Rupatadine is available as round, light salmon coloured tablets containing 10 mg of rupatadine (as fumarate) to be administered orally, once a day.

Side effects

Rupatadine is a non-sedating antihistamine. However, as in other non sedating second-generation antihistamines, the most common side effects in controlled clinical studies were somnolence, headaches and fatigue.

Mechanism of action

Rupatadine is a second generation, non-sedating, long-acting histamine antagonist with selective peripheral H₁ receptor antagonist activity. It further blocks the receptors of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) according to in vitro and in vivo studies.