Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets

Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets is used for:

Relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose/palate/throat, itchy/watery/red eyes, and nasal congestion.

Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets is an antihistamine and decongestant combination. The antihistamine works by blocking the effects of histamine, which cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy/watery eyes. The decongestant works by stimulating the body's natural response and reducing the swelling in the blood vessels that supply the mucous membrane, thereby decreasing nasal congestion.

Do NOT use Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets
• you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days
• you are currently taking efavirenz or droxidopa
• you have severe heart/blood vessel disease or severe high blood pressure
• you have had serious side effects in the past with decongestants (eg, irregular heart rhythm)
• you have difficulty urinating or have narrow-angle glaucoma

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets:

Some medical conditions may interact with Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, or you are currently taking blood pressure medicine
• if you have diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland, or impaired kidney function
• if you have increased pressure in the eye or open-angle glaucoma
• if you have difficulty sleeping, especially in the elderly

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cocaine, droxidopa, efavirenz, furazolidone, ketoconazole, erythromycin, methyldopa, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), or urinary alkalinizers (eg, daily antacids) because the risk of side effects of Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets (eg, headache, dizziness, sleeplessness) may be increased.
• Bromocriptine because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased.
• Guanethidine because the antihypertensive effectiveness may be decreased to a serious, sometimes fatal level.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets:

Use Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. High-fat meals may decrease the absorption of the medicine into your bloodstream.
• Swallow Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Do not take an antacid that has aluminum or magnesium in it within 2 hours of taking Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets These antacids may decrease the absorption of Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets.
• Do not take more of Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets than recommended by your doctor.
• Avoid certain juices (ie, grapefruit, orange, apple) while taking Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets. They may decrease the effectiveness of Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets.
• If you miss a dose of Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets.

Important safety information:

• Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets.
• You should not take other over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines or decongestants while using Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets.
• Diabetes patients - Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets may interfere with skin allergy tests. If you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets for a few days before the tests.
• Use Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets is NOT recommended in ELDERLY patients who suffer from sleeplessness.
• Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets.

Possible side effects of Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nervousness; sleeplessness; throat irritation; trouble sleeping; upset stomach.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast/irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; pounding in the chest; seizures; uncontrolled shaking or tremor.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include: difficulty breathing; irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat; low blood pressure; seizures; unconsciousness; unusual nervousness or excitement.

Store Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Allegra-D Extended-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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