What is fexofenadine?
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Fexofenadine is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies (hay fever) in adults and children.
Fexofenadine is also used to treat skin itching and hives caused by a condition called chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children.
Fexofenadine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
Before using fexofenadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether fexofenadine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking fexofenadine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether fexofenadine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Fexofenadine tablets and capsules may be used to treat seasonal allergy symptoms in children who are at least 6 years old. Fexofenadine oral suspension (liquid) may be used in children ages 2 through 11. When treating chronic idiopathic urticaria, the liquid may be used in children as young as 2 months old.
Avoid using antacids within 15 minutes before or after taking a medication that contains fexofenadine. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb this medication.
Do not take fexofenadine with fruit juice (such as apple, orange, or grapefruit).
Avoid taking any other cold or allergy medicines unless your doctor has told you to.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking fexofenadine and call your doctor if you have fever, chills, body aches, cough, or other flu symptoms.
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;
- menstrual cramps;
- drowsiness, tired feeling;
- headache; or
- muscle or back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Before taking fexofenadine, tell your doctor if you are also taking ketoconazole (Nizoral), or erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin).
There may be other drugs that can interact with fexofenadine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Allegra, fexofenadine, and Allegra ODT
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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