Drug Interactions between Allegra and Univasc

GENERALLY AVOID: Moderate-to-high dietary intake of potassium can cause hyperkalemia in some patients who are using angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In some cases, affected patients were using a potassium-rich salt substitute. ACE inhibitors can promote hyperkalemia through inhibition of the renin-aldosterone-angiotensin (RAA) system.

MANAGEMENT: It is recommended that patients who are taking ACE inhibitors be advised to avoid moderately high or high potassium dietary intake. Particular attention should be paid to the potassium content of salt substitutes.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with large amounts of certain fruit juices, including grapefruit, orange and apple, may decrease the oral bioavailability of fexofenadine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of drug efflux via intestinal organic anion transporting polypeptides (e.g., P-glycoprotein), of which fexofenadine is a substrate. In a five-way crossover study with 10 healthy volunteers, 1/4-strength grapefruit juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice and apple juice (300 mL with drug administration and 150 mL every 1/2 hour for up to 3 hours, total volume 1.2 L) reduced the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of a 120 mg dose of fexofenadine by 23%, 67%, 72% and 77%, respectively, compared to water. Mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was similarly affected. The clinical significance of these changes is unknown. However, results from studies using histamine-induced skin wheals and flares found that the size of wheal and flare was significantly larger when fexofenadine was administered with either grapefruit or orange juices compared to water.

MANAGEMENT: To maximize plasma levels and therapeutic effects, fexofenadine should be taken with water. In addition, patients should refrain from consuming large amounts of grapefruit, orange, or apple juice.