INTRODUCTION

SMARTI contains Rupatadine which belongs to a group of medicines called Antihistamines. SMARTI is used to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as sneezing, runny nose, itching in the eyes and nose which is also used to relieve the symptoms associated with urticaria (an allergic skin rash) such as itching and hives (localized skin redness and swelling). Allergic rhinitis is a condition that occurs due to inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mold or flakes of skin from certain animals. Urticaria is a type of skin rash that occurs due to allergy triggered by a reaction to food, medicine or other irritants.

Rupatadine is an antihistamine which works by blocking the effects of histamine (chemical messenger) which cause allergic reactions, thereby providing relief from allergic symptoms such as swelling, itching, running nose, sneezing, rashes, and watery eyes.

Before taking SMARTI, inform your doctor if you suffer from hypokalemia (low blood levels of potassium), and are intolerant to certain sugars such as lactose, and/or have heart, kidney or liver disease. SMARTI is not recommended for use in patients with impaired kidney or liver function. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy or a breastfeeding woman, consult your doctor before taking SMARTI. The medicine is not recommended for used in children (below 12 years of age). Consult your doctor before taking SMARTI. The most common symptoms of taking SMARTI are sleepiness, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and sensation of weakness. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms gets worse.

USES OF SMARTI

• Relieves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and symptoms associated with urticaria

HOW SMARTI WORKS

SMARTI works by blocking the effects of histamine (chemical messenger) which cause allergic reactions, thereby providing relief from allergic symptoms such as swelling, itching, running nose, sneezing, rashes and watery eyes.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take SMARTI as advised by your physician. Swallow SMARTI with a glass of water and do not chew or crush the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF SMARTI

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Constipation:

Try to eat more high-fiber foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try doing exercise regularly (going for a daily walk or run). If this does not help, inform your doctor for receiving alternate managements for constipation.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax and get enough sleep. Try to avoid driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. Limit your consumption of alcohol, as it can aggravate your dizziness. Consult and inform your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Headache:

If SMARTI causes headache, then take rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try to avoid drinking alcohol. Ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller. Paracetamol is safe to be taken with SMARTI. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking SMARTI. If headaches last more than a week or severe, inform your doctor.

Nausea and Vomiting:

Try to take SMARTI with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Indigestion:

Try to have smaller and more frequent meals and eat and drink slowly. Try to reduce consumption of tea, coffee, cola, or alcohol and lose weight if you are obese. Avoid smoking and don’t have rich, spicy, or fatty foods. Consult and inform your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water to keep yourself hydrated. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to manage diarrhea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug Interactions:

Before taking SMARTI, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following:

• ketoconazole (medicine used for fungal infection)
• erythromycin (medicine used to manage bacterial infection)
• antidepressants (medicine used to manage depression) Ex. fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline.
• statins (medicines used to manage high cholesterol levels) Ex. atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin
• midazolam (drug used for sedation of short duration)

B. Drug-Food Interactions:

SMARTI should not be taken in combination with grapefruit juice since it may increase the level of the medicine in your body.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of SMARTI, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep the medicine out of reach in children
• Store SMARTI at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT SMARTI

What SMARTI is used for?

SMARTI is used to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergy) such as sneezing, runny nose, itching in the eyes and nose which is also used to relieve the symptoms associated with urticaria (an allergic skin rash) such as itching and hives (localized skin redness and swelling).

How should SMARTI be taken? 

Take SMARTI as advised by your physician. Swallow SMARTI with a glass of water and do not chew or crush the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

What are the side effects of SMARTI?

The most common symptoms of taking SMARTI are sleepiness, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and sensation of weakness. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms gets worse.

What happens if you forget to take SMARTI?

If you forget to take SMARTI at the usual time, take your dose as soon as possible and then continue with your medication at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses. Consult your doctor before taking SMARTI, if you have queries on missed dose.

Is SMARTI safe to use in children?

SMARTI is not recommended for use in children (below 12 years of age) and can be used in children and adolescents (from 12 to 18 years of age). Consult your doctor before taking SMARTI.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Histamine and Antihistaminics. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 167.

2. J. Uriach and Company. Efficacy and Safety of Rupatadine 10 and 20 Mg in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in December 2005] [Accessed on 17th May 2022] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00199251

3. J Mullol, J Bousquet, C Bachert, G W Canonica, A Giménez-Arnau, M L Kowalski, F E R Simons, M Maurer, D Ryan, G Scadding. Update on rupatadine in the management of allergic disorders.  NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. [Revised in January 2015] [Accessed on 17th May 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25491409/

4. J. Uriach y Compañia, S.A. Electronic medicines compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2022] [Accessed on 17th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2501.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Percutaneous skin test
• Allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody test