Allegra-D

Generic Name: fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (FEX oh FEN a deen and SOO doe ee FED rin)
Brand Names: Allegra-D 12 Hour, Allegra-D 24 Hour

What is Allegra-D?

Allegra-D contains a combination of fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine. Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

The pseudoephedrine in Allegra-D is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Allegra-D is used to treat sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold.

Allegra-D may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Allegra-D

Do not give Allegra-D to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving Allegra-D to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Do not take Allegra-D if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines and decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

Allegra-D may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Allegra-D.

Before taking Allegra-D

Do not take Allegra-D if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effect

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a Allegra-D dose adjustment or special tests:

• kidney disease;

• diabetes;

• glaucoma;

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• a thyroid disorder;

• an enlarged prostate; or

• problems with urination.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Allegra-D will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Allegra-D without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Allegra-D pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Allegra-D?

Use Allegra-D exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give Allegra-D to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving Allegra-D to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.

Allegra-D can cause unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.

Store Allegra-D at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since cold or allergy medicine is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or nervous, vomiting, warmth or tingly feeling, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Allegra-D?

Allegra-D may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Allegra-D.

Avoid using antacids within 15 minutes before or after taking Allegra-D. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb Allegra-D.

Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines and decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

Allegra-D side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Allegra-D: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious Allegra-D side effects may include:

• dry mouth;

• nausea, stomach pain, constipation;

• mild loss of appetite, stomach upset;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• feeling restless or excited (especially in children);

• skin rash or itching;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• problems with memory or concentration; or

• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of Allegra-D side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Allegra-D side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Allegra-D?

Before taking Allegra-D, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Allegra-D.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• medicines to treat high blood pressure;

• a diuretic (water pill);

• medication to treat irritable bowel syndrome;

• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) or tolterodine (Detrol);

• aspirin or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others);

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Allegra-D. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Allegra-D.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2011 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision Date: 4/13/2011 11:53:25 AM.