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Fexofenadine
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Description
Fexofenadine is an anti-allergic medicine that is used to treat allergic symptoms associated with Rhinitis (nasal congestion) and Urticaria (hives). Allergic symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, skin itching and hives can be effectively treated with fexofenadine. It is an effective medicine used to treat seasonal allergies in children and adults. Fexofenadine works by stopping the release of histamine (a chemical substance that causes allergic symptoms).
Fexofenadine shows side effects that include drowsiness, fever, skin rashes, weakness, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist for a long time. Do not take fexofenadine if you are previously allergic to it. If you feel dizzy or tired, avoid driving vehicles or operating heavy machines. The tablet form of fexofenadine should be avoided for children below 12 years of age.
Fexofenadine is available in tablet, dispersible tablet, syrup and suspension forms. Fexofenadine can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose based on your health condition. Finish your entire course of treatment with Fexofenadine, even if the condition gets better after taking a few doses. Consult your doctor if you still feel unwell after completing your treatment course.
Fexofenadine should be used with caution if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman. Inform your doctor about any medical conditions that you have and all medications that you are on before taking this medicine. Do not give your medicine to other people even if the symptoms appear similar.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Fexofenadine
Vomiting
Headache
Coughing
Diarrhoea
Painful menstruation
Pain in the arms and legs
Hives and redness of skin
Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
Difficulty in breathing
Difficulty in swallowing
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Fever
Uses of Fexofenadine
What is it prescribed for?
Seasonal allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a common condition that causes inflammation of the inside of the nose. It may cause symptoms like runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and sometimes swelling in the eyes. Fexofenadine is one of the best medicines used in treating allergic rhinitis. It provides relief from allergic symptoms and thereby makes you feel better.
Chronic utricaria
Urticaria or hives are itchy rashes that are found on the skin. It is triggered by an allergic reaction to food, medicines (some antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and ACE inhibitors) or other irritants in the environment. Mostly these rashes fade away on their own. Chronic hives are accompanied by a severe allergic reaction that requires advanced medical treatments. Fexofenadine is used in treating symptoms of skin allergies like red and itchy rashes, raised bumps on the skin, etc.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of Fexofenadine can be observed within 1-2 hours after taking it.Duration of effect
After administration, the effect of Fexofenadine lasts for an average duration of 12-14 hours.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported for Fexofenadine.Usage in pregnancy?
Use of Fexofenadine should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects on your foetus. Your physician may advise a safer alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known whether Fexofenadine passes into breast milk. However, if you are a nursing mother, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Fexofenadine if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is any history of allergy to fexofenadine. If you notice any symptoms such as skin rashes, itching/swelling (anywhere on your body), dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc., inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Use of Fexofenadine should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects on your foetus. Your physician may advise a safer alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Fexofenadine passes into breast milk. However, if you are a nursing mother, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Drowsiness
Fexofenadine may cause dizziness. Do not drive vehicles or operate machines after taking this medicine.
Use in children
Avoid using Fexofenadine in infants less than 6 months of age.
The tablet form of fexofenadine is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age due to the lack of safety and efficacy data.
Missed Dose
Do not skip the dose of Fexofenadine. If you forget to take/give a scheduled dose, take/give it immediately as soon as you remember. But, if it is time for the next dose, do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take/give more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case you suspect that you might have taken/given an overdose of Fexofenadine. Symptoms of overdose include dizziness, restlessness, and confusion.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Erythromycin
Ketoconazole
Rifampicin
Antacids
Disease interactions
Kidney diseases
Fexofenadine should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Your kidney functions need to be monitored while you take this medicine.
Liver disease
Using Fexofenadine while you have existing liver problems may worsen your condition. Your doctor may advise blood tests to observe your liver function.
Food interactions
Do not consume large quantities of fruit juices such as grapefruit, orange, apple, etc. as they may reduce the effectiveness of Fexofenadine.
Lab interactions
Skin allergy test
Fexofenadine may interfere with the results of the skin allergy test. Hence your doctor may advise you to discontinue Fexofenadine for at least 2-4 days before you go for the test.
Fexofenadine is an anti-allergic medicine that can be taken with or without food, along with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet/capsules.
Avoid taking this medicine in larger amounts than prescribed. Do not stop taking Fexofenadine without consulting your doctor.
Do not drink fruit juices, as the effectiveness of this medicine can be decreased in presence of fruit juice.
Keep a check on your kidney and liver function while taking Fexofenadine. Keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
Do not use Fexofenadine tablets in children under 12 years of age. You should not use Fexofenadine oral suspension in children under 6 months of age.
Avoid giving your medicine to others even if the symptoms appear similar. Do not use it after the expiry date. Ensure that the unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Fexofenadine contains Fexofenadine that works by blocking the release of a chemical substance called histamine from your body. This helps in reducing the symptoms of allergic hives and nasal congestion.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antihistamines
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Telfast 120mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. These highlights do not include all the information needed to use ALLEGRA safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for ALLEGRA. ALLEGRA (fexofenadine hydrochloride) tablet, orally disintegrating for oral useALLEGRA (fexofenadine hydrochloride) tablet, film coated for oral useALLEGRA (fexofenadine hydrochloride) suspension for oral useInitial U.S. Approval: 1996. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Fexofenadine. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.