• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is fexofenadine?
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Fexofenadine is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies (hay fever) in adults and children. Fexofenadine is also used to treat skin itching and hives caused by a condition called chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children. Fexofenadine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of fexofenadine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your 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:

• nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

• menstrual cramps;

• drowsiness, tired feeling;

• headache; or

• muscle or back pain.

This list is not complete and other side effects may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I take fexofenadine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

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What is the most important information I should know about fexofenadine?
Before using fexofenadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease. Fruit juices and certain antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb fexofenadine. Take the disintegrating tablet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. There may be other drugs that can affect fexofenadine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect fexofenadine?
Before taking fexofenadine, tell your doctor if you are also taking ketoconazole (Nizoral), or erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin). There may be other drugs that can interact with fexofenadine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Fexofenadine has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. However, dose-related decreases in weight gain and survival have been reported for rat pups. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Fexofenadine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

There are no data on the excretion of fexofenadine into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering fexofenadine to nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to fexofenadine or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, dizziness, or drowsiness.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fexofenadine?
Before using fexofenadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether fexofenadine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Fexofenadine tablets and capsules may be used to treat seasonal allergy symptoms in children who are at least 6 years old. Fexofenadine oral suspension (liquid) may be used in children ages 2 through 11. When treating chronic idiopathic urticaria, the liquid may be used in children as young as 2 months old.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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