What fexofenadine is?

• Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that decrease the level of histamine in the human body. The effects of histamine can be as following: sternutation, itching, wet eyes, and runny nose.
• Fexofenadine is a medicine which is commonly used both by adults and children to prevent seasonal allergies, for example hay fever and so on.
• It is also used to cure skin itching, hives, that may be a result of idiopathic urticaria.
• Fexofenadine is a medicine of other effects, not listed above, that means that lots of other symptoms may be cured by it.

The essential information on the usage of fexofenadine.

• Buy and use the medicine, following strictly the receipt prescribed by your doctor. Stick to your doctor’s advice and do not use the medicine longer or in greater amounts that were prescribed. Read the instructions on the label.
• You should consult your doctor before using it in order to figure out if you are allergic to any of the components of the medicine, or if you have kidney disease.
• When using fexofenadine avoid drinking juices which let it difficult for the medicine to be absorbed in your body.
• Be careful with taking in fexofenadine accompanied by with fruit juice, especially those of apple, orange and grapefruit.
• Remember not to use any antacids, containing aluminum or magnesium 15 minutes before or after you are supposed to use fexofenadine. The antacids are Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and many others.
• Several other drugs may influence fexofenadine. You should consult your doctor about the medications you use before taking fexofenadine. Vitamins, minerals, herbal products etc – are harmful, being mixed with fexofenadine.
• In case of overdose, cased by the usage of the medicine apply yourself to a doctor. Any allergic reaction, such as hive, difficulty when breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat – should be paid attention to.
• You may have some side effects which are considered to be normal when using the medicine, or, otherwise there can be no side effects at all. You should definitely consult your doctor on the reaction that seems unusual to you.
• In case your symptoms do not disappear from the time you have started taking fexofenadine and the medicine seems not to help, consult your doctor. Do not use more than the prescribed dose.

What is important to know before taking fexofenadine?

• Never use this medicine when you are allergic to it or to any of its components.
• When you are about to start using fexofenadine, consult our doctor in order to be sure that you are not allergic to the drug and have no kidney disease. In this case you will need to avoid using fexofenadine or adjust its dosage.
• FDA category C of pregnancy. Fexofenadine can be harmful to an unborn child. In case you are pregnant you will need to consult your doctor before using the medicine. The cases of fexofenadine’s passage into breast milk are not registered. Do not take fexofenadine when you are feeding a child. Fexofenadine is represented by pills and can be taken when treating seasonal allergy symptoms in children older than 6 years. Fexofenadine, represented as a liquid can be performed on the children from 2 to 11. In case of chronic idiopathic urticaria, the liquid suspension can be performed on of 2 months old.

What is the dosage of fexofenadine?

• The medicine should be taken according to the prescribed dosage. Stick to your doctor’s advice and do not use the medicine longer or in greater mounts that was prescribed. Read the instructions on the label.
• The medicine should be accompanied by a glass of water. Do not swallow it with any other liquid. Shake the oral suspension before using it. Measure the liquid with a measuring spoon or any other measuring set. In case you have no measuring spoon ask your doctor to provide you with one device of the kind.
• Inform your doctor when you are using the medicine but the symptoms do not decrease or moreover are getting worse. Do not take more of the prescribed dose.

Fexofenadine should be stored at a room temperature. Keep it away from moisture and direct heat. The medicine bottle should be tightly closed.

• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• Take the dose you have missed as soon as possible. When it is already the time to take in the next dose, skip the dose you have already missed and proceed with your regular dosage. Do not make up the missed dose together with the portion that goes next according to the schedule.

What should I do in case of an overdose?

• Apply yourself to a doctor as soon as possible, in case you think you have an overdose.
• An overdose with fexofenadine can result in such symptoms: dry mouth, dizziness, or drowsiness.

Is there anything to be avoid when taking fexofenadine?

• Fruit juices and certain antacids should be avoid when using the medicine, providing that they make it harder for fexofenadine to be absorbed in your body.
• Never take fexofenadine with apple, orange, grapefruit juice etc.
• Remember not to use antacids, containing aluminum or magnesium 15 minutes before or after you are supposed to use fexofenadine. The antacids are Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and many others.
• Skip using any other antihistamines, when your doctor has not prescribed you them directly.

Side effects

• In case you have any of the written below side effects, consult your doctor as soon as possible. The side effects are: hives; difficulty when breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, and throat. In case you have fever, chills, body aches, cough, or other flu symptoms – stop taking fexofenadien and call your doctor.
• If you have such side effects as:
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
  • menstrual cramps;
  • drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;
  • headache; or
  • back pain.
  Then continue with taking the medicine and consult your doctor.
• Several side effects, which are not listed above may also occur. If they seem unusual to you, consult your doctor.

Are there any other drugs, that may influence fexofenadine?

• Consult your doctor to inform you in case you are using some of the drugs, listed below:
  • ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
  • erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin).
• In case you are taking any of these drugs, you may be forbidden to continue using fexofenadine, or your dose may be adjusted.
• Other medicine, which influence on fexofenadine can be not enclosed to the list. Inform your doctor of the medications you use. Vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and medicine prescribed by other doctors should also be discussed. Never use any medication before the advice of your doctor.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.