Drug name
Allegra (Fexofenadine)
Use Instruction
Allegra is specified for the relief of symptoms relating to with seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Symptoms refined efficaciously were sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy nose/palate/throat, itchy/watery/red eyes.
Intake instructions
For seasonal allergies the advised dose for adults and children 12 years or older is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once day-to-day. Children 6 -11 years of age should be provided 30 mg twice on daily basis. For chronic nettle rash, adults and children of 12 years or older must use 60 mg twice in a day, children from 6 to 11 years old must use 30 mg twice in a day. Fexofenadine may be intaken with meals or without it.
Drug Category and Mechanism
Fexofenadine represents an oral, "second generation" antihistamine which is used for the treatment of symptoms of allergy which are caused by histamine. The medicine is alike the other second generation antihistamines which is named loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) as well as azelastine (Astelin). Histamine stands as a chemical which carries responsibility for most of the symptoms of allergic reactions, such as: swelling of nose lining, sneezing, as well as itchy eyes. Histamine takes the process of release from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) after which attaches to other cells which have receptors for histamine.
The annexation of the histamine to the receptors carries out the activation of the cell releasing other chemicals which performs the effects which are joint to allergy, e.g., sneezing. Fexofenadine performs the blockage of one type of receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) thus preventing the activation of H1 receptor- including cells by histamine. Dissimilar to the first generation antihistamines, fexofenadine together with other second-generation antihistamines do not immediately step into the brain from the blood, thus, therefore, causing less giddiness. Fexofenadine passed approval from FDA in July, 1995.
Missed Dose
Should you miss a dose of this medicine please take it asap. If you find you have missed the previous dosage when it is almost time for your next dose, you should better skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Taking double or extra doses at once is not recommended. If more than one dose is missed, please contact your attending medical doctor or health care provider.
Storage
The best conditions to keep the medicine at are to store them room. Foil-backed blister packs containing Allegra capsules and tablet packaging must be thoroughly protected from excessive moisture. Any unused medicine the expiration date have passed should be thrown away.
Safety Precautions
Taking Allegra is not recommended in case you have had an allergic reaction to it or its components. Before you intake this preparate, please inform your health care provider if you have any serious diseases such as illnesses of the following organs: heart, kidney, or liver. You can be in need of requiring a dosage regulation or special control during treatment in case you have other illnesses. Allegra is placed in FDA pregnancy category C. What does this mean? It means that it is not yet explored whether Allegra can bring harm to the fetus or not. Please make sure not to take this preparate without preliminary consulting with your physician in case you are pregnant. It is also not yet explored whether Allegra outfalls into breast milk. Thus make sure not to take Allegra without preliminary consulting with your health care provider in case you have a breast-feeding a baby. Please note that Allegra is not approved for use in children under 6 years old.
Probable Side Effects
Please do not take Allegra and ask for health care assistance in case you show an allergic reaction (hard breathing; throat closing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; as well as hives). Allergic reactions may happen quite rarely, thus other serious side are not likely to occur at all. Certain less serious side effects can be quite likely to happen. Please make sure to intake Allegra and inform your health care provider in case you experience aversion or an upset stomach. Side effects differing from the above – mentioned ones may also happen. Please make sure to immediately inform your health care provider of any side effect which seems uncommon or that is bothersome in particular.
Extra Information
Immediately stop taking fexofenadine and turn to medical assistance attention if you feel you show an allergic reaction (hard breathing; throat closing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; as well as hives). Allergic reactions occur only rarely, and other serious side effects are not likely to occur. Certain less serious side effects can be quite likely to happen. Please make sure to intake Allegra and inform your health care provider in case you experience aversion or an upset stomach. Side effects differing from the above – mentioned ones may also happen. Please make sure to immediately inform your health care provider of any side effect which seems uncommon or that is bothersome in particular.