In 1988 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Hismanal, also known as astemizole, for use as an antihistamine. Antihistamines are used to prevent and relieve symptoms of allergies and hay fever. The Janssen Pharmaceutical drug was removed from the market in 1999 after the manufacturer and the FDA determined that Hismanal could cause severe and life threatening heart conditions. Prior to removing the drug from the market, Janssen Pharmaceutical included the following warning:

"RARE CASES OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR ADVERSE EVENTS INCLUDING DEATH, CARDIAC ARREST, QT PROLONGATION, TORSADES DE POINTES, AND OTHER VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN PATIENTS EXCEEDING RECOMMENDED DOSES OF ASTEMIZOLE (Hismanal)."

Hismanal has also been shown to cause the above health problems when taken in combination with other drugs and even fruit juices.

See your doctor if you have experienced serious health problems after taking Hismanal. In addition, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.



See Also

  1. Allergy Drugs: Overview
  2. Arrhythmia: Overview
  3. Heart Attack Lawsuits
  4. QT Interval: Overview
  5. Torsades de Pointes: Overview
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