Allegra

Allegra

     * Generic Name: fexofenadine hcl
     * Brand Name: Allegra


     * What is fexofenadine?
     * What are the possible side effects of fexofenadine?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       fexofenadine?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       fexofenadine?
     * How should I take fexofenadine?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking fexofenadine?
     * What other drugs will affect fexofenadine?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is fexofenadine?

   Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of
   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 not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of fexofenadine?

   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.

What is the most important information I should know about fexofenadine?

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are
   allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease.

   Do not take fexofenadine with fruit juice (such as apple, orange,
   or grapefruit).

   Take the disintegrating tablet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour
   before or 2 hours after a meal.

   There may be other drugs that can affect fexofenadine. Tell your doctor
   about all medications you use. This includes prescription,
   over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new
   medication without telling your doctor.

   Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think
   you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of
   an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your
   face, lips, tongue, or throat.

   Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse
   after you start taking fexofenadine. Never use more than the
   recommended dose.

   Allegra Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Could I Be Allergic? Discover Your Allergy Triggers

   Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Quiz on Allergies
   Nasal Allergy Relief:Products That Work

   Nasal Allergy Relief Products Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fexofenadine?

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine
   if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease.

   FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether fexofenadine will
   harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
   become pregnant while using this medication.

   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.

   Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take fexofenadine?

   Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
   Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take the regular tablet with a full glass of water. Do not use any
   other type of liquid.

   Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose.
   To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked
   measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you
   do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

   To take fexofenadine orally disintegrating tablets (Allegra ODT):
     * Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the
       medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet
       blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage
       the tablet.
     * Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It
       will begin to dissolve right away.
     * Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth
       without chewing.
     * Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may
       drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

   Take the disintegrating tablet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour
   before or 2 hours after a meal.

   Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse
   after you start taking fexofenadine. Never use more than the
   recommended dose.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the
   medicine bottle tightly closed.

   Allegra Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Could I Be Allergic? Discover Your Allergy Triggers

   Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Quiz on Allergies
   Nasal Allergy Relief:Products That Work

   Nasal Allergy Relief Products Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Since cold or allergy medicine is taken as needed, you may not be on a
   dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the
   missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is
   almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to
   make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, dizziness, or drowsiness.

What should I avoid while taking fexofenadine?

   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.

   Fruit juices and certain antacids can make it harder for your body to
   absorb fexofenadine. 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.

What other drugs will affect fexofenadine?

   Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you regularly use
   other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine,
   sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
   and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to
   sleepiness caused by fexofenadine.

   Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
     * ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
     * erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin,
       Pediazole).

   This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with
   fexofenadine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This
   includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products.
   Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about fexofenadine.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   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.