Drug name:
Allegra
What is
Allegra?
Allegraź is a seasonal allergy medicine that your doctor may prescribe
for you if other allergy medicines make you
drowsy. Fexofenadine, the active ingredient in Allegra,
has been shown not to cause the drowsiness
of other antihistamines. |
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Allegra Uses
Allegra
contains an antihistamine and decongestant used to
relieve allergy symptoms such as itchy red eyes, stuffy
nose and throat irritation.
How to use Allegra
Take Allegra by mouth on an empty stomach 1 hour before or
two hours after meals as directed, usually twice daily.
Taking Allegra with a high fat meal can decrease
its effectiveness. Do not take antacids containing
aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours of taking Allegra. Swallow the medicine whole. Do not crush or
chew the tablet, and do not take more than prescribed.
Do not take this product within 14 days after stopping
an MAO Inhibitor (see Drug Interactions).
Possible Side effects of Allegra
Nausea,
stomach upset, trouble sleeping, headache, or cold
symptoms may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify
your doctor promptly. Unlikely but report promptly:
dizziness, mental/mood changes, fast heartbeat, fever.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly
unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting,
irregular heartbeat. Although drowsiness is very
uncommon at usual doses under normal circumstances, be
aware that drowsiness may occur and may effect the
ability to perfom tasks requiring alertness (e.g.,
driving). If you notice other effects not listed above,
contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Allegra Precautions
Tell your
doctor your medical history, including: allergies,
kidney/urinary problems, enlarged prostate, glaucoma
(narrow angle), severe high blood pressure, heart
disease, diabetes, thyroid problems (hyperthyroid).
Limit alcohol intake, as it may aggravate drug side
effects. Allegra should be used only when
clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and
benefits with your doctor. The pseudoephedrine in this
product is excreted into breast milk. Consult your
doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised when
this product is used in the elderly since this group may
be more sensitive to side effects.
Drug interactions
Tell
your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription
medication you may use, especially: MAO inhibitors
(e.g., selegiline, furazolidone, phenelzine,
tranylcypromine, moclobemide, procarbazine, linezolid),
certain blood pressure drugs (e.g., methyldopa,
mecamylamine, reserpine, prazosin), digoxin, all
adrenaline-like drugs. Report other drugs which affect
the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as:
dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide,
sparfloxacin, "water pills" (diuretics such as
furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide). Ask your doctor or
pharmacist for more details. Check the labels carefully
on all nonprescription products, such as cough-and-cold
medicines which contain antihistamines and
decongestants. Consult your pharmacist. Do not take Allegra for several days before any allergy testing
since test results can be affected. Do not start or stop
any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Allegra Overdose
If Allegra overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of Allegra overdose may
include irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat,
unusual nervousness or excitement, rapid breathing,
confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
Notes
Do not share Allegra with others.
Allegra Missed dose
If you miss
Allegra dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near
the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and
resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up"
the dose to catch up.
Allegra Storage
Store Allegra at room
temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees
C) away from sunlight and moisture.