What is most important to remember? If you have questions: Strong Internal Medicine • Use fexofenadine (Allegra®) as directed by your doctor Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for more information about fexofenadine • It is most effective when used 1 to (Allegra®) 3 hours before you come in contact with an allergen • Avoid taking fexofenadine (Allegra®) with fruit juices such as orange, grapefruit, or apple juice • You may get this medicine without a prescription. However, you should not start any new medicine, over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies without talking Strong Internal Medicine to your doctor 601 Elmwood Avenue th • Tell all doctors, dentists and Ambulatory Care Facility, 5 Floor Rochester, NY 14642 pharmacists that you are using Phone: (585) 275 -7424 fexofenadine (Allegra®) Fexofenadine (Allegra®): Visit our website at: Important Patient Information • Contact your doctor if your www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/ - genera medicine/patientcare/ symptoms become worse or do l- not get better What does fexofenadine (Allegra®) do? Who should know I am taking fexofenadine What are some things that I need to be aware • It is an antihistamine. Used to treat symptoms (Allegra®)? of when taking fexofenadine (Allegra®)? of “hay fever” and other allergies. Symptoms • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to include sneezing, runny nose, itching, and natural products, supplements, vitamins, become pregnant, or are currently watery eyes over-the-counter) and give it to your breastfeeding healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse • It also can be used to treat hives • Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking practitioner, pharmacist, or physician erythromycin (E.E.S., E-mycin, Erythrocin) How should fexofenadine (Allegra) be used? assistant) and/or ketoconazole (Nizoral). Your doctor • Use this medicine exactly as directed by your Are there any interactions with other drugs may need to change the doses of your doctor that I need to worry about? medications or monitor you carefully for side • Many times this medicine is taken on an as effects • It has many drug interactions that may needed basis increase your risk of side effects • Do not take antacids containing aluminum • Fexofenadine (Allegra®) 180mg tablet is • Do not start new prescriptions, over-the- and magnesium within 2 hours of taking this taken one (1) time a day. Swallow tablet counter medicines, or herbal and dietary medicine whole—do not chew, break, or crush supplements without telling your doctor • Talk with your doctor if you have kidney or • Fexofenadine (Allegra®) 60 mg tablet is What side effects could occur with liver disease taken two (2) times a day, at evenly spaced fexofenadine (Allegra®)? • Avoid beer wine, mixed drinks, or other drugs intervals • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred and natural products that slow your actions • Avoid taking this medicine with fruit juices eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly • Avoid taking any other cold or allergy such as orange, grapefruit, or apple juice medicines unless directed by your doctor • Avoid driving or tasks that call for you to be • Take the disintegrating tablet on an empty alert or have clear eyesight until you see how What should I do if I forget to take stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours the drug affects you fexofenadine (Allegra®)? after a meal • Headache • Many times this drug is taken on an as needed basis • Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it If you have any of the following side effects, call your doctor or visit the emergency room • If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the immediately: missed dose and go back to your normal dose time • Tightness in the chest or throat • Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or • Trouble breathing or talking • Feeling very weak or tired extra doses • Very bad dizziness or passing out .