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| Pronunciation |
|
 (feks
oh FEN a
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Allegra® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antihistamine |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to fexofenadine or any other part of the
medicine.
|
|
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine relieves symptoms (runny nose; sneezing; throat
irritation and itching; watery, irritated, itchy, red eyes) from allergies.
- It also may treat skin problems of chronic idiopathic
urticaria.
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| How does it work? |
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|
- Fexofenadine, if taken before coming in contact with the material that
causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing/preventing the
body's reaction to the allergen.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- This medicine is most effective if started before contact with the
allergen. Take at least 1-3 hours before.
- Take the 180 mg tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or
chew.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- There should be an interval of at least 12 hours between doses.
- This medicine can be taken on an as needed
basis.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for allergies.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Increased activity or inability to sleep may be seen in children.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check effectiveness of medicine in preventing or treating
symptoms.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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