Brand Name: Allegra
Generic Name: Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine

(fex-oh-fen'eh-deen)

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Rhinitis, allergy symptoms, chronic idiopathic urticaria

BRAND NAME
Allegra, Telfast

DRUG CLASS
Antihistamine

DESCRIPTION
Symptomatic relief of symptoms (nasal and nonnasal) associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis; treatment of uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea, dry mouth, indigestion, nervousness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or headache.

CAUTIONS

• Because elderly patients are more likely than younger patients to have decreased renal function and because renal impairment delays the elimination of fexofenadine, care should be taken in selecting a dosage for elderly patients. It may be useful to monitor renal function in elderly patients.
• The safety and effectiveness of fexofenadine in pediatric patients less than 6 years of age have not been established.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Erythromycin, ketoconazole, Aluminum/Magnesium antacids.

FOOD INTERACTIONS
Alcohol, other CNS depressants

HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Hops, Jamaican dogwood, khat, senega, corkwood, henbane leaf

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C. Excretion in the breast milk is unknown. Therapy not recommended for those who are breast-feeding.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

• Administer prescribed dose bid without regard to meals.
• Administer with food if GI upset occurs.
• Store tablets and capsules at controlled room temperature (59? to 86?F). Protect foil-backed blister packs containing capsules and all tablet packaging from excessive moisture.