|
|
What is this Drug
Allegra relieves the itchy, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, red, watery eyes that come with hay fever. Its effect begins in 1 hour and lasts 12 hours, peaking around the second or third hour. Allegra
is one of the new type of antihistamines that rarely cause drowsiness.
In addition, to the antihistamine in Allegra, Allegra-D also contains the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine.
|
How should this medicine be used?
Fexofenadine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day with food or milk. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmaci
st to explain any part you do not understand. Take fexofenadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor<
|
Cautions
Pregnancy¡XHydroxyzine is not recommended for use in the first months of pregnancy since it has been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies when given in doses many times higher than the usual
human dose. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Desloratadine and fexofenadine have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that these medicin
es cause birth defects or other problems when given in doses higher than the usual human dose. Before taking Allegra-D, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
|
|
|
|
Symptoms of overdose
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe); dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe); feeling faint; flushing or redness of face; hallucinations (seeing, hearing,
or feeling things that are not there); shortness of breath or troubled breathing ; trouble in sleeping
|
What side effects can this medication cause?
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they seek medical attention immediately.
Check wi
th your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence rare
- Chest tightness ; feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper ches
t; large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs; shortness of breath, difficult or labored breathing
|
Other Medicines
Check with your doctor before combining Allegra with erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, PCE) or ketoconazole (Nizoral). These drugs may increase Allegra's effects.
Allegra-D should never be take
n within 2 weeks of using an MAO-inhibitor drug such as the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. Also check with your doctor before combining it with the following:
- Mecamylamine (
Inversine)
- Methyldopa (Aldomet)
- Reserpine (Diupress, Hydropres)
|
|
