ALLEGRA (Fexofenadine)

What is Allegra?

Allegra (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.

Allegra is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies (hay fever) in adults and children.

Allegra is also used to treat skin itching and hives caused by a condition called chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children.

Allegra may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

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

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

There may be other drugs that can affect Allegra. 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 Allegra 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 Allegra. Never use more than the recommended dose.

Before taking this medicine

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

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Allegra will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine. 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. Allegra tablets and capsules may be used to treat seasonal allergy symptoms in children who are at least 6 years old. Allegra 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 Allegra?

Use Allegra 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 Allegra 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 Allegra. Never use more than the recommended dose.

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

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?

Avoid using antacids within 15 minutes before or after taking a medication that contains Allegra. 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 Allegra with fruit juice (such as apple, orange, or grapefruit).

Avoid taking any other cold or allergy medicines unless your doctor has told you to.

Allegra side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Allegra: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Allegra and call your doctor if you have fever, chills, body aches, cough, or other flu symptoms.

Less serious Allegra side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;
• menstrual cramps;
• drowsiness, tired feeling;
• headache; or
• muscle or back pain.

What other drugs will affect Allegra?

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 Allegra.

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 Allegra. 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.