Pronunciation: FEX-oh-FEN-a-deen
Generic Name: Fexofenadine
Brand Name: Allegra ODT
Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are used for:
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.
Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are an antihistamine. It works by blocking a substance in the body called histamine. This helps to decrease allergy symptoms.
Do NOT use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems or trouble urinating
- if you have phenylketonuria (PKU)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Erythromycin or ketoconazole because they may increase the risk of Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets's side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets 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.
How to use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
Use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Do not remove the medicine from the blister pack until you are ready to take it. Make sure that your hands are dry when you open the blister pack. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Peel back the foil on the blister pack and place the tablet on your tongue. The tablet dissolves quickly and can be swallowed with saliva. Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may be taken with or without water. Take the tablet immediately after opening the blister pack. Do not store the removed tablet for future use.
- Do not drink fruit juice at the same time that you take Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Certain fruit juices (eg, grapefruit, apple, orange) may decrease Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets's effectiveness.
- If you take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium, do not take them at the same time as Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take them with Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
- If you miss a dose of Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may cause dizziness. It does not usually cause drowsiness when used under normal circumstances at the recommended doses. However, these effects may be worse if you take Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Some of these products contain phenylalanine. If you must have a diet that is low in phenylalanine, ask your pharmacist if it is in your product.
- Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets may interfere with skin allergy tests. If you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets for a few days before the tests.
- Use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets while you are pregnant. It is not known if Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; headache; stomach upset.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); earache; fever; severe or persistent coughing or vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Fexofenadine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include unusual or severe dizziness, drowsiness, or dry mouth.
Proper storage of Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets:
Store Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Store in original packaging until just before use. Keep Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- Carry an identification card at all times that says you are taking Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Fexofenadine resources
- Fexofenadine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Fexofenadine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Fexofenadine Drug Interactions
- Fexofenadine Support Group
- 25 Reviews for Fexofenadine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Fexofenadine with other medications
- Hay Fever
- Urticaria
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