AllegraŽAllegraŽ 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.
AllegraŽ
Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
Uses
This medication contains an antihistamine and decongestant used to relieve allergy symptoms such as itchy red eyes, stuffy nose and throat irritation.
How to Use
Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach 1 hour before or two hours after meals as directed, usually twice daily. Taking this medicine with a high fat meal can decrease its effectiveness. Do not take antacids containing aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours of taking this medication. 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).
Side Effects
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.
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. This medication 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 this medication 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.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat, unusual nervousness or excitement, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Missed Dose
If you miss a 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.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from sunlight and moisture.
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