UK Clinical Pharmacy Association

Acrivastine

Issues for surgery

Loss of symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis, hay fever and urticaria if omitted.

Advice in the perioperative period

Elective and emergency surgery

Continue. 

Post-operative advice

If taken regularly, restart post-operatively as soon as next dose is due; otherwise restart when symptoms develop.

Interactions with common anaesthetic agents

None.

Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period

Macrolides 

Clarithromycin and erythromycin are predicted to increase the exposure to some non-sedating antihistamines either through inhibition of CYP3A4 or through P-glycoprotein. There is no known data to demonstrate that this occurs with acrivastine, but due to these known interactions with similar preparations, caution is advised.

Further information

None relevant. 

References

Baxter K, Preston CL (eds), Stockley’s Drug Interactions (online) London: Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 2nd February 2021] 

Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 2nd February 2021]

Summary of Product Characteristics – Acrivastine 8mg Capsules, hard. Brown & Burk UK Ltd. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 2/2/2021 [date of revision of the text July 2020]