NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Warning Issued on 2nd Antihistamine

Another prescribed antihistamine has been found to cause cardiovascular problems in patients taking more than the recommended dose, the Food and Drug Administration said. The FDA cited “rare cases” of death, cardiac arrest or irregular heartbeats in patients taking more than 10 milligrams a day of Hismanal, or astemizole, used for treating hives and seasonal allergies. Hismanal can be used safely if patients comply with the recommended dose, the agency said. The warning comes on the heels of last month’s alert on similar danger involving Seldane.