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Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fexofenadine, the following should be
considered:
Allergies¡XTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fexofenadine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other subst
ces, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
Before you have any skin tests for allergies, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of the test may be affected by this medicine.
When taking antihistamines
on a regular basis, make sure your doctor knows if you are taking large amounts of aspirin at the same time (as for arthritis or rheumatism). Effects of too much aspirin, such as ringing in the ears,
may be covered up by the antihistamine.
- Antihistamines will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsines
s).
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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
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What side effects may occur?
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 may need medical attention.
Check with your
doctor immediately if the following side effect occurs:
- Less common or rare
Less frequent or rare with azatadine, cetirizine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorphenira
mine, diphenhydramine, or loratadine
Fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; abdominal or stomach pain; burning; chills; clay-colored stools or dark urine; cough; diarrhea; difficulty swa
llowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; fever; headache; hives; itching;
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How to Use
Take Zyrtec once a day, exactly as prescribed. This medication can be taken with or without food.
Zyrtec may make your mouth dry. Sucking hard candy, chewing a stick of gum, or melting bits
of ice in your mouth can provide relief.
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Significant Interactions:
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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