Some days, when you wake up in the morning, you start sneezing, your nose runs watery, your eyes are red and itchy, or your body is covered in small blisters and itches... You may be familiar with these allergic symptoms. At times like these, a doctor may prescribe a medicine called Fexofenadine. Specifically, a tablet that dissolves in your mouth. So today, let's talk about this medicine in simple terms, how to use it, and what to be careful about.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Fexofenadine is an antihistamine . When our body has an allergy, a chemical called histamine is released from cells. This histamine is the main cause of the sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives we talked about earlier.
So what this Fexofenadine pill does is block the action of that histamine. To be precise, this medicine blocks the receptors where histamine needs to go and bind. Then those allergic symptoms gradually decrease.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, it is very important that you give him a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell him about any of the following conditions, especially if you have any of the following:
| Health condition or opportunity | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Kidney disease | This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, so if you have kidney problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Phenylketonuria | Some effervescent tablets may contain aspartame, which is not suitable for people with this condition. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| Breastfeeding | Talk to your doctor about whether the medication can pass to your baby through breast milk. |
| Allergies to other medications or foods | Tell us if you have had any previous allergies to medications such as fexofenadine, terfenadine, or anything else. |
How should I use this pill?
This is not a pill that you swallow with water like a regular pill. It dissolves on the tongue, so the method of use is a little different. Do it exactly like this.
1. Take on an empty stomach: If possible, take this medicine on an empty stomach. That means about an hour before or two hours after a meal.
2. Keep your hands dry: Your hands should be completely dry before taking the pill. If you touch it with wet hands, the pill will start to melt in your hands.
3. Take the pill out of the blister pack immediately: Do not take the pill out of the blister pack until you are ready to take it.
4. Carefully peel the packet: Carefully peel the foil from the tablet. Never push the tablet through the foil. Doing so may break the delicate tablet.
5. Place on tongue: Take out the tablet and place it directly on the tongue.
6. Let it dissolve: Now wait until the tablet completely dissolves on your tongue. This will take a few seconds. Then swallow. You can take this without water.
The most important thing is to take only the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time. Never take more than the prescribed amount or take it more often.
Do you need to be careful when giving this to children?
Yes. Sometimes, doctors prescribe this medicine even to children over 6 years of age. But only the doctor should decide. Do not give this medicine to young children without medical advice.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately . Also, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.You can also call for advice. This is a medicine prescribed for you only, do not share it with others.
Can there be problems with other medications?
Yes, this medicine can interact with some things. So tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking (medicines prescribed by other doctors, medicines bought from the pharmacy, traditional medicines, vitamins).
Fexofenadine is particularly likely to interact with:
- Some medications used for gastritis (antacids), especially those containing magnesium.
- Antibiotics and antifungals such as Erythromycin and Ketoconazole.
- Grapefruit, apple, and orange juice: Drinking these fruit juices can reduce the absorption of Fexofenadine into the body. Therefore, avoid drinking these fruit drinks two to three hours before and after taking the medication.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have both minor side effects and rare, serious side effects.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergic reactions (allergic reactions / angioedema) | Rash or hives on the skin, severe itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor side effects |
|
How do you store medicine properly?
To maintain the quality of medicines, it is also important to store them correctly.
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- Do not remove the pill from the blister package until it is time to take it.
- Throw away expired medicine.
If your symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, be sure to see your doctor again.
Take-Home Message
- Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that controls allergic symptoms.
- Since this is a tablet that dissolves on the tongue, carefully remove the package with dry hands, place it on the tongue, and let it dissolve.
- Tell your doctor about any special conditions, such as kidney disease or pregnancy, before taking the medication.
- Avoid drinking fruit juices such as grapefruit, apple, and orange while taking this medicine.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
- Always use this medicine only on the advice of your doctor.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is the Pralidoxime / 2-PAM vaccine given in the hospital?
This is an extremely powerful 'Antidote'! Whether a patient has ingested pesticides, herbicides (Organophosphates - Malathion, Parathion), or has been exposed to dangerous nerve agents (Nerve Agents - Sarin gas), or is struggling to breathe while foaming at the mouth, it is a life-saving injection that can be administered at the last moment (along with the Atropine injection) to save life!
💬 How can this injection (Pralidoxime) eliminate the poison from the body of someone who has ingested pesticides?
What happens when you drink poison is that poison/poison gets stuck in the mouth of the enzyme that controls the nerves in our body called (Cholinesterase) (then the body writhes uncontrollably). As soon as this injection enters the body, the poison/poison molecule stuck in the mouth of that enzyme is forcibly pulled out (Reactivates cholinesterase) and binds to it! Then that enzyme starts working again and the patient can breathe.
💬 What are the dangerous side effects of this detoxifying vaccine (Pralidoxime)?
Even if it is given to save a life, if it is injected into a vein too quickly (Rapid IV), the heart may beat abnormally fast, blood pressure may suddenly increase (Hypertension / Tachycardia) and the heart may stop (Cardiac Arrest). There is also a possibility of severe dizziness, blurred vision, and muscle weakness. But this must be given after the Atropine injection!
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