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Why is this drug prescribed?
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body.
Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Also, in some persons histamine can close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult.
Some of the antihistamines are also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In patients with Parkinson's disease, diphenhydramine may be used to decrease stiffness and tremor
s. Also, the syrup form of diphenhydramine is used to relieve the cough due to colds or hay fever.
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Overdosage
An excessive dose of any medicine can have serious consequences. Seek medical attention whenever an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of Allegra overdose may include:
Dizziness, drowsines
s, dry mouth
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Special warnings about this medication
DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. USING THIS MEDICINE ALONE, WITH OTHER MEDICINES, OR WITH ALCOHOL may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially
dangerous tasks. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescripti
on or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicine which contains pseudoephedrine or antihistamines. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor th
e benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.
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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps)¡XSide effects, such as dryness of mouth, of antihistamines or anticholinergics may be more likely to occur
Erythromycin (e.g.
E-Mycin) or
Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)¡XUse of these medicines with fexofenadine may cause an increased amount of fexofenadine in the blood.
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medi
ines that cause drowsiness)¡XEffects, such as drowsiness, of CNS depressants or antihistamines may be worsened; also, taking maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants may cause some side effects of eit
er of these medicines, such as dryness of mouth, to become more severe
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What side effects may occur?
Side effects of Allegra may include:
- Colds or flu, drowsiness, fatigue, indigestion, menstrual problems, nausea
Side effects of Allegra-D may include:
- Abdominal pain, agitation
, anxiety, back pain, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, heart palpitations, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, respiratory tract infection, throat irritation
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Proper Use of This Medicine
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Do not take this medicine with food. Do not take antacids containi
ng aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours of taking this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container. IF YOU MISS A
DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking it regularly, 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 t
ake 2 doses at once.
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