Allegra is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. The active ingredient is fexofenadine. It 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.
Directions
Use Allegra exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take it with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not use any other type of liquid. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Never take more of the medication than your doctor has prescribed. For seasonal allergies the recommended dose for adults and children 12 years or older is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily. Children 6-11 years of age should be given 30 mg twice daily. For chronic urticaria, adults and children 12 years or older should use 60 mg twice daily, and children 6-11 years of age should use 30 mg twice daily.
Precautions
Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Avoid using antacids within 15 minutes before or after taking a medication, drinking fruit juices (such as apple, orange, or grapefruit). Antacids and fruit juices can make it harder for your body to absorb Allegra. Avoid taking any other cold or allergy medicines unless your doctor has told you to.
Contraindications
Avoid using if you have an allergic reaction to the components of the drug or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have hives, fever, swelling of your face, lips, body aches, difficulty breathing, cough. Less serious Allegra side effects may include: menstrual cramps, muscle pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, back pain, upset stomach, nausea. Stop taking Allegra and call your doctor if you experience one of them.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially erythromycin or ketoconazole. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (sedatives, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, allergy medicine).
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are dry mouth, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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