What is Fexofenadine?

Fexofenadine is a new generation anti-allergy medicine used in the treatment of common allergy symptoms. For more information about the drug, please follow this article!

Effects of fexofenadine

Fexofenadine, also known as fexofenadine hydrochloride, is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as lacrimation, runny nose, itchy eyes / nose, sneezing, rash and itching. The drug works by blocking a natural substance (histamine) that causes the body to cause an allergic reaction.

Usage of fexofenadine

If you buy over-the-counter medicines for treatment, read the directions carefully before use. If you have any questions, consult the pharmacist. If your doctor prescribes this medicine, take the medication as prescribed, usually 2 times a day (every 12 hours).

If you are using a suspension of this drug, shake the bottle thoroughly before each dose and take the dose carefully using a special measuring device / spoon. You do not use spoon to eat because you may not accurately measure the dose. Take tablets / capsules or liquid form of this drug with or without food. If you are using quick-dissolving pills, take the medicine when your stomach is empty. Allow the tablets to dissolve quickly on the tongue to dissolve and then swallow with water or without water. Do not take the tablet from the blisters until before use.

If you need fluids to take this medicine (such as when taking tablets / capsules), take this medication with water. Do not use with fruit juice (such as apples, grapefruit or oranges) as they can reduce the absorption of this medicine.

The dosage is based on age, health status and response to treatment. Therefore, you do not increase the dose or take this medicine more often than directed.

Besides, you should not take antacids containing aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours after taking this medicine. Antacids may reduce the absorption of fexofenadine.

Preserving fexofenadine

You should store at room temperature, avoid moisture and protect from light.

You should store at room temperature, avoid moisture and protect from light. Do not store in the bathroom or in the freezer. Remember that each medication may have different storage methods. Therefore, you should carefully read the storage instructions on the packaging, or ask your pharmacist. Keep medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

You should not dispose of the medicine in the toilet or plumbing unless required. Instead, throw away the medication properly when the medicine is overdue or cannot be used. You can consult your local pharmacist or waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of medicines.

Dosage

Dosage for adults

1. Usual dosage for adults with allergic rhinitis: Take 60 mg twice daily or take 180 mg once daily with water.
2. Usual dosage for adults with urticaria: You take 60 mg twice daily or take 180 mg once daily with water.

Dosage for children

The usual dose for children with allergic rhinitis or hives:

Oral tablets:

Children 6-11 years: use 30mg for children to drink twice daily with water;

Children 12 years and older: use 60mg for children to drink twice a day or use 180 mg for children to drink once daily with water.

Dispersible tablets:

Children 6-11 years: use 30 mg for children to drink twice a day.

Oral suspension:

Children 2-11 years: use 30 mg for children to drink twice daily with water

Types and salaries of fexofenadine

Fexofenadine has the following forms and contents:

1. Oral suspension, hydrochloride salt: 30 mg / 5 ml (120 ml);
2. Oral tablets, hydrochloride salts: 30 mg, 60 mg, 180 mg;
3. Dispersible tablets, oral, hydrochloride salts: 30 mg.

Side effects

If you have any signs of an allergic reaction: rash; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Stop taking fexofenadine and call your doctor if you have fever, chills, body aches, cough or other flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

1. Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain;
2. Sleepy,
3. Feeling tired;
4. Headache;
5. Muscle cramps, back pain.

Note before use

Before taking fexofenadine, you should tell your doctor and pharmacist:

If you are allergic to fexofenadine, any other medication or any ingredient in fexofenadine tablets or oral suspension. You can also ask your pharmacist for a list of the active ingredients in the medicine.

If you are taking or planning to take prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Be sure to mention the following medications: erythromycin (EES®, E-Mycin®, Erythrocin®) and ketoconazole (Nizoral®). Your doctor may change your dose or follow you carefully for side effects.

If you are taking antacids containing aluminum or magnesium (Maalox®, Mylanta®, others), take antacids several hours before or after fexofenadine.
If you have or have ever had kidney disease.

If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking fexofenadine, call your doctor.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

There are still insufficient studies to determine the risk of taking this drug during pregnancy or lactation. Before taking the medicine, always consult your doctor to consider the benefits and risks.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this drug belongs to the category C for pregnancy. You can refer to the drug classification table for pregnant women below:

1. A = No risk;
2. B = No risk in some studies;
3. C = May be at risk;
4. D = Evidence of risk;
5. X = Contraindications;
6. N = Unknown.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can alter the ability of the drug to work or increase the effects of side effects. This document does not cover all possible drug interactions. It is best to write a list of medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter and functional foods) and see your doctor or pharmacist. Do not arbitrarily take medication, stop or change the dose of the drug without the doctor's permission.

Although some medicines should not be used together, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interaction can occur. In these cases, the doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions if necessary. Your doctor needs to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following drug interactions are selected based on common frequency and not all included.

It is not recommended that you take this medication with the following medications, although they may be needed in some cases. If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often to use one or two medications.

1. Lomitapide;
2. Eliglustat;
3. Nilotinib;
4. Simeprevir;
5. Tocophersolan.
6. Aluminum Carbonate, Basic;
7. Aluminum Hydroxide;
8. Aluminum Phosphate;
9. Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate;
10. Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate;
11. Magaldrate;
12. Magnesium Carbonate;
13. Magnesium Hydroxide;
14. Magnesium Oxide;
15. Magnesium Trisilicate;
16. St John's Wort.

Using this medication with any of the following may present a risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, the doctor may change the dose or how often to use this medicine or give you special instructions on the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

1. Apple juice;
2. Grapefruit;
3. Orange juice.

Your health condition may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any health problems, especially:

1. Kidney disease - use with caution because the reaction can be increased because of slower removal of the drug from the body.
2. Phenylketonuria - use with caution.

Note : Information on drugs and brand names posted in the Family Medicine Cabinet section on Website Khoahoc.tv is for reference only. Consult your doctor before deciding to treat any medicine to bring about good and safe effects for your health.