Fexofenadine is used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Hay fever symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, red, itchy, or watery eyes, as well as irritation of the nose, throat, or roof of the mouth. Additionally, it is used to treat the itch and rash associated with urticaria (hives; red, itchy raised areas of the skin) in adults and children older than 6 months. Fexofenadine belongs to the group of drugs known as antihistamines. It functions by inhibiting the actions of histamine, a chemical in the body that triggers allergy symptoms.

A pill and a suspension (liquid) form of fexofenadine are available for oral use. Once or twice day administration with water is customary. Fruit liquids like orange, grapefruit, or apple juice will not improve the efficacy of fexofenadine. Fexofenadine should be taken every day at roughly the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Fexofenadine should be taken exactly as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Despite not curing seasonal allergic rhinitis or urticaria, fexofenadine manages its symptoms. Even if you feel OK and are not experiencing these effects, you should still take fexofenadine. Your symptoms could worsen if you skip too many doses.

To mix the medication evenly, thoroughly shake the mixture before each use.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking fexofenadine,

• If you have an allergy to fexofenadine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in fexofenadine tablets or suspension, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Request a list of the ingredients from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Make sure to mention either of the following: ketoconazole (Nizoral) or erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Take the antacid several hours before or after taking the fexofenadine if you also take an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium (Maalox, Mylanta, etc.).
• If you have renal illness now or ever have, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking fexofenadine.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects are possible with fexofenadine. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the arms, legs, or back
• Pain
• Pain during menstrual period
• Cough

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Edema of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, cheeks, neck, tongue, lips, and eyes
• Hoarseness
• Breathing or swallowing challenges

Other negative effects of fexofenadine are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning.http://www.upandaway.org

To make sure that pets, kids, and other people cannot take leftover pharmaceuticals, they should be disposed of in a specific manner. You shouldn’t flush this medication down the toilet, though. The best option to get rid of your medication is instead through a medication take-back program. To find out about take-back initiatives in your neighborhood, speak with your pharmacist or get in touch with your city’s waste/recycling department. If you do not have access to a take-back program, you can find more information at the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p).

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Mouth ache

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.