Description
Fexofenadine is used to relieve hay fever and allergy symptoms, including runny nose; sneezing; and red, itchy, tearing eyes.
Allegra - Fexofenadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. Fexofenadine may cause less drowsiness than other antihistamines.
How should this medicine be used?
Fexofenadine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day with food or milk. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fexofenadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fexofenadine or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cold or allergy medications, erythromycin (E-Mycin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fexofenadine, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking fexofenadine.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Side effects with Allegra 180 mg for seasonal allergies are low and may include headache, cold, or backache.
Side effects with Allegra 60 mg for seasonal allergies are low; less than 3% of people experience cold or flu, nausea, menstrual pain, or drowsiness.
Side effects with Allegra 60 mg for hives are low and may include backache, sinusitis, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Side effects with Allegra 30 mg are low and may include headache, cold, coughing, or accidental injury.
Side effects with Allegra-D 12 Hour and Allegra-D 24 Hour were similar to Allegra 60 mg alone (headache, insomnia or nausea) and Allegra 180 mg alone (headache, cold or backache) respectively. Due to the decongestant (pseudoephedrine) component in both Allegra-D 12 Hour and Allegra-D 24 Hour, these products must not be used if you: are taking an MAO inhibitor (a medication for depression) or have stopped taking an MAO inhibitor within 14 days; retain urine; have narrow-angle glaucoma; have severe high blood pressure or severe heart disease. Side effects with pseudoephedrine may include nervousness, restlessness, dizziness, or insomnia. Headache, drowsiness, increased heart rate, palpitations, increased blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms have been reported. You should also tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, glaucoma, thyroid disease, impaired kidney function, or symptoms of an enlarged prostate such as difficulty urinating.
Side effects with Allegra Oral Suspension 30mg/5mL (6mg/mL) are low and may include vomiting, fever, cough, otitis media and diarrhea.
