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What side effects may occur?
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, dry mouth, indigestion, nervousness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or headache. If they continue or are bothersome, check with you
r doctor. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
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Cautions
Antihistamines may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. Some antihistamines are more likely to cause dryness of the mouth than others . For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless ca
ndy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing drynes
s of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.
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Why is this drug prescribed?
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.
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How should you take this medication?
Dosing¡X
The dose of fexofenadine may be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose
of fexofenadine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so
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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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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
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)
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