Allegra-D

Generic Name: fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Oral route)

fex-oh-FEN-a-deen hye-droe-KLOR-ide, soo-doe-e-FED-rin hye-droe-KLOR-ide

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Allegra-D

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR
• Tablet, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Antihistamine, Less-Sedating/Decongestant Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Fexofenadine

Chemical Class: Fexofenadine

Uses For Allegra-D

Fexofenadine is an antihistamine and pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. The combination of these two medicines is used to treat the nasal congestion (stuffy nose), sneezing, and runny nose caused by hay fever.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

Before Using Allegra-D

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Use is not recommended in infants and children up to 12 years of age. In children 12 years of age and older, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

Geriatric

Some side effects may be more likely to occur in elderly patients, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Clorgyline
• Dihydroergotamine
• Furazolidone
• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Linezolid
• Moclobemide
• Nialamide
• Pargyline
• Phenelzine
• Procarbazine
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline
• Toloxatone
• Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Droperidol
• Guanethidine
• Methyldopa
• Midodrine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• Aluminum Phosphate
• Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
• Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
• Magaldrate
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Hydroxide
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Trisilicate
• St John's Wort

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Apple Juice
• Grapefruit Juice
• Orange Juice

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—Use of this medicine may cause an increase in blood glucose levels

• Enlarged prostate or
• Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination—Use of this medicine may cause urination to be more difficult. You should not take this medicine if you have these conditions.

• Glaucoma or
• Increased pressure in the eye—Use of this medicine may make the condition worse. You should not take this medicine if you have these conditions.

• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure—Use of this medicine may make the condition worse. You should not take this medicine if you have high blood pressure, especially if it is severe.

• Kidney disease—Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body. The 24-hour extended-release tablet should not be used if you have kidney problems.

• Overactive thyroid—Serious effects on the heart may occur

Proper Use of Allegra-D

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it before swallowing.

This medicine is best taken on an empty stomach (either one hour before or two hours after a meal).

This medicine should be taken with water. Do not take with fruit juices or antacids.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets [12 hour]):
  • For symptoms of hay fever:
    • Adults and teenagers—1 tablet two times a day.
    • Children 4 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .
• For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets [24 hour]):
  • For symptoms of hay fever:
    • Adults and teenagers—1 tablet one time a day.
    • Children 4 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Allegra-D Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Trouble in sleeping

• Cough
• dizziness
• irregular heartbeat
• nervousness
• sore throat

• Difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• feeling of warmth
• fever
• hives or welts
• itching skin
• itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
• reddening of the skin, especially around ears
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• tightness in chest
• swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Headache
• nausea

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• anxiety
• back pain
• dry mouth
• heartburn

• Terrifying dreams causing sleep disturbances

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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