Brand Name

Allegra {Sanofi}

Generic Name

fexofenadine, pronounced FEX oh FEN a deen

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Allegra?

Allegra is prescribed to help manage and treat seasonal allergies in adults and children.Allegra is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in yourbody. By reducing the effects of histamine, Allegra can relieve allergy symptoms that you mayhave such as itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Allegra is also prescribed to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children, whichis a skin condition that includes symptoms of hives and itching.

Allegra may also be used for conditions that are not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Allegra

Allegra capsules may be used to treat seasonal allergy symptoms in adults and children who areat least 6 years of age.

Seasonal allergy symptoms in children ages 2 through 11may be treated with Allegra oralsuspension.

Allegra oral suspension may be used in children as young as 2 months of age to treat chronicidiopathic urticarial.

Do not administer Allegra in any form to a child without your doctor’s approval.

Allegra is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known if Allegra is harmful to an unbornbaby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant beforestarting treatment with Allegra. You should not use Allegra without telling your doctor if youare breast-feeding a baby, as it is not known if Allegra passes into breast milk.

Before You Take Allegra

You should not use Allegra if you are allergic to fexofenadine.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking Allegra.

If you are allergic to any medication let your doctor know.

You should not take Allegra with fruit juice, such as apple, orange, or grapefruit.

You should avoid taking antacids within 15 minutes before or after taking Allegra, as antacidsmake it more difficult for your body to absorb this medication.

Talk to you doctor if you wish to take any cold or allergy medications in addition toAllegra.

If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) you should tell your doctor before starting treatment withAllegra, as Allegra ODT may contain phenylalanine.

Allegra Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Advair Diskus (fluticasone/salmeterol)
• albuterol
• Ambien (zolpidem)
• aspirin
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole)
• fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
• Flonase (fluticasone nasal)
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Ketonazole (Nizoral)
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Lisinopril
• metformin
• Nasonex (mometasone nasal)
• Nexium (esomeprazole)
• omeprazole
• prednisone
• Singulair (montelukast)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

There may be something that you take and is not listed in this guide. You should tell yourdoctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins,supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking anew medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Allegra

You should take Allegra exactly as directed by your doctor . Do not use Allegra in larger orsmaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on yourprescription label exactly.

If you are taking the regular tablet of Allegra you should swallow it whole with a full glassof water. Do not use any other liquid.

Do not swallow the Allegra disintegrating tablet whole. You should allow it to dissolve inyour mouth without chewing it, and swallow several times to be sure that the tablet dissolvescompletely.

If you are taking the Allegra disintegrating tablet be sure to take it on an empty stomach,either at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

If you are taking liquid Allegra be sure to use a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, and nota regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device your pharmacist can give one toyou.

You should store Allegra at room temperature, and away from heat and moisture. Do not freezeliquid Allegra.

If you miss a dose of Allegra you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dosein addition to your regular dose.

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Allegra Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Allegra and seekmedical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips,tongue or throat
• body aches
• chills
• cough
• fever
• flu symptoms
• Less serious side effects of Allegra may include:
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• headache
• menstrual cramps
• muscle or back pain
• nausea
• upset stomach

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Allegra. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Allegra Description and Dosing

Allegra is available in tablets which are 30 mg , 60 mg and 180 mg . Allegra tablets arecoated with a peach colored film coating. The tablets have unique shapes and identifiers: 30 mg
tablets are round, bi-convex and have 03 on one side and a scripted “e” on the other; 60 mg
tablets are oval, bi-convex and have 06 on one side and a scripted “e” on the other; and 180 mg
tablets are oblong, bi-convex and have 018 on one side and a scripted “e” on the other.

Allegra ODT is available as 30 mg, and is an orally disintegrating tablet. Allegra ODT iswhite, flat-faced, ½-inch round shaped with beveled edges and is debossed with a scripted “e” onone side and “311AV” on the other side.

Allegra oral suspension is available as 30 mg/ 5 mL (6 mg/mL).

The typical dosage for adults and children (12 and older) with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis andChronic Idiopathic Urticaria is 60 mg, twice daily, or 180 mg once daily with water.

Dosages will vary based on each individual patient situation, age and allergy type. Yourdoctor will tell you what dose is right for you or your child, and you should follow yourprescription exactly.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with the Allegra you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Allegra

The main ingredient in Allegra is fexofenadine. Additionalinactive ingredients in the Allegra tablets include croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate,microcrystalline cellulose, and pregelatinized starch. The aqueous tablet film coating is madefrom hypromellose, iron oxide blends, polyethylene glycol, povidone, silicone dioxide, andtitanium dioxide.

Allegra ODT, or orally disintegrating tablets also have the following inactive ingredients:citric acid anhydrous, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, mannitol, methacrylate copolymer,microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K-30, sodium bicarbonate, sodium starch glycolate,aspartame, natural and artificial orange flavor, artificial cream flavor, and alcohol anhydrous;the alcohol is predominantly removed during the manufacturing process.

Allegra oral suspension contains these inactive ingredients: propylene glycol, edetatedisodium, propylparaben, butylparaben, xanthan gum, poloxamer 407, titanium dioxide, sodiumphosphate monobasic monohydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, artificial raspberrycream flavor, sucrose, xylitol and purified water.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.