Do you get a runny nose when you wake up in the morning? Or do you start itching and scratching when you touch dust? Red eyes, a runny nose, and sometimes red and swollen patches on your skin... These are the symptoms of an allergy that many people experience. A very popular medicine that your doctor may prescribe for you in times like these is Fexofenadine. Let's find out everything about it today.
What is Fexofenadine?
Simply put, Fexofenadine is a medication that is used to control allergy symptoms. You may have seen it under brand names like Allegra in our country.
Imagine, when something harmful, such as dust, pollen, or certain foods (we call these allergens) enters our body, some cells in our body's immune system release a chemical called 'histamine. ' This histamine is what causes all the annoying symptoms I mentioned earlier, such as itching, sneezing, red eyes, and runny nose.
What the drug Fexofenadine does is block the action of histamine. To be precise, it blocks the receptors where histamine can attach to cells in the body. It's like closing the doors to a nuisance. We call the class of drugs that block the action of histamine in this way 'antihistamines' .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you Fexofenadine, your doctor will ask you some questions. It is very important that you provide this information accurately.
| Your Condition | Why is it important? (Why is it important?) |
|---|---|
| If you have kidney disease | Fexofenadine is eliminated from the body mainly through the kidneys. If there is a problem with the kidneys, the doctor may need to change the dose of the medicine. |
| If you have previously been allergic to fexofenadine or terfenadine | This is very important. If you have had an allergy before, you may have a severe allergic reaction again. Therefore, this medicine is not suitable for you. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Any medication should only be taken during pregnancy under the advice of a doctor. You should discuss the effects of this medication with your doctor. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Some amount of the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. So be sure to inform the doctor about this as well. |
How exactly do you use Fexofenadine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple, but it is important to follow it exactly.
- Swallow this tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water .
- There is no big problem whether you take it before or after meals.
- The most important thing is to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If it's once a day, take it at the same time every day. If it's twice a day, take it 12 hours apart.
- Sometimes it can take a few days for your symptoms to improve, so it's important to continue taking the medication.
- If given to children: This medicine is sometimes prescribed to children over 6 years of age. However, this should only be done under the advice of a pediatrician.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you accidentally take too much of this medicine, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Alternatively, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Although fexofenadine is generally a safe medication, it can interact with some things, so it's important to be aware of this.
| Interacting Substance | What's happening? (What happens?) |
|---|---|
| Some medicines for gastritis (antacids) | Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium reduce the absorption of Fexofenadine. Therefore, if you take these two medications, leave at least two hours between them. |
| Fruit drinks like oranges, apples, and grapefruit | These fruit drinks can reduce the absorption of Fexofenadine into the body. Therefore, the effectiveness of the medicine may be reduced. It is best to take the medicine with water only. |
| Medicines like Erythromycin and Ketoconazole | These are antibiotics and antifungal medications. When taken with Fexofenadine, the level of Fexofenadine in the blood may increase. So tell your doctor if you are taking these medications. |
Important: This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Possible side effects of taking the medicine
Like any medicine, Fexofenadine can cause side effects in some people. But most people don't. Let's take a look at what these side effects are.
| Inform your doctor immediately or go to the ETU. | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergic reaction (Allergic reaction / Angioedema) | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing. This is an emergency. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | A common side effect that many people may experience. |
| Light sleepiness | Fexofenadine is less likely to cause drowsiness than other older antihistamines, but some people may experience mild drowsiness. |
| Dry mouth | This can be controlled by drinking some water or chewing sugar-free gum. |
| Cough, stomach ache | These usually go away in a few days. If they persist, tell your doctor. |
Take-Home Message
- Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that controls allergic symptoms.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about your other medical conditions (especially kidney disease) and all other medicines you are taking.
- When taking the medicine, use only water instead of fruit drinks like oranges and apples.
- If you experience symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or difficulty breathing, it is an emergency. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Never share it with others.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, never be afraid to talk to your doctor.
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