Allegra (Fexofenadine) is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Histamine produces symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Allegra (Fexofenadine) is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body.
Allegra relieves the itchy, runny nose, sneezing and itchy, red, watery eyes that come with hay fever.Allegrs is also used to relieve the itching and welts of hives.
Drug Name:
Allegra
Generic Name: Fexofenadine
Manufacture By:
Aventis Pharmaceutical
Allegra is available as 120 mg and 180 mg tablet form.
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Prescription Required: No
Drug Uses
Allegra (Fexofenadine) is used in treating seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, or itchy, watery eyes. It is also used to treat hives and skin itching. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Allegra is an antihistamine. It works by blocking a substance in the body called histamine. This helps to decrease allergy symptoms. Allegra is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6 years of age and older.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Fexofenadine blocks one type of peripheral receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine (Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) and then attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine. The attachment of the histamine to the receptors causes the cell to be "activated," releasing other chemicals that produce the effects that we associate with allergy, e.g., sneezing.) And the allergic symptoms produced by it.Allegra is similar to the other second generation antihistamines loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and azelastine (Astelin). Absorption- Fexofenadine rapidly absorbed after oral administration Distribution- Fexofenadine widely distributed in the body. 60-70% bound to the plasma proteins. Metabolism- Fexofenadine metabolized in the liver to its metabolites Excretion- Fexofenadine excreted through urine (10% as unchanged), bile and feces.
Dosage
For seasonal allergies the recommended dose for adults and children 12 years or older is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily.
For chronic urticaria, adults and children 12 years or older should use 60 mg twice daily, and children 6-11 years of age should use 30 mg twice daily. Allegra (Fexofenadine) can be taken with or without food.
Missed Dose
Do not take a double dose of this medication .Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.
Warnings/Precautions
- Do not take Allegra if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.
- Before taking this medication,tell your doctor if you have any serious illness such as heart, kidney, or liver disease.
- You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have other illnesses.
- Allegra is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Allegra will harm an unborn baby.
- Do not take Allegra without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding to a baby.
- Allegra is not approved in children younger than 6 years of age.
- Some medicine may interact with Allegra. Consult your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Erythromycin or ketoconazole because an increase in the level of fexofenadine in plasma of 2-times was observed after co-administration of erythromycin or ketoconazole this may increase the risk of Allegra’s side effects.
- This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur.
- Consult your health care provider if Allegra may interact with other medicines that you take.
- Check with your health care provider before you start, stop or change the dose of any medicine.
Possible Side Effects
- Stop taking Allegra and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
- Allergic reactions occur only rarely, and other serious side effects are not likely to occur.
- Some less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
- Continue to take Allegra and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea or an upset stomach.
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
- Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.