Do you sneeze often? Are your eyes red and itchy? Or do you have red, itchy skin? You may also suffer from these allergy symptoms at times. So, in such a case, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called Fexofenadine for you or your child. So today, let's talk about this medicine, how to use it, and everything you need to be careful about.
Simply put, what is Fexofenadine?
Fexofenadine is a drug that belongs to the group of drugs called antihistamines . Now you may be wondering what this histamine is. Think of it like our body is like a well-guarded fortress. When something harmful or allergenic (for example, dust, pollen, certain foods) enters our body, our body's defense system is activated and releases a chemical messenger called "histamine." It's like alerting our guards when an enemy is coming.
This histamine is responsible for all those annoying symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and red, itchy skin.
So what this Fexofenadine drug does is block the action of that histamine. That is, it's like calming our security guards down a bit and saying, "There's nothing to worry about." Then those annoying allergy symptoms gradually decrease and you get relief.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, it is very important to give you a complete description of your health condition. This is so that you can receive the most appropriate and safest treatment. Be sure to mention the following points in particular:
- If you have kidney disease: This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. Therefore, if you have any kidney problems, your doctor should be aware of it.
- If you have previously had an allergy to the medicines Fexofenadine or Terfenadine.
- If you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant, or expecting a baby in the near future.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
By giving this information to your doctor, he can decide whether this medication is right for you or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is essential to use it correctly.
- Shake well: Before using the medicine, shake the bottle well. This will ensure that the ingredients are well mixed and that each dose contains the same amount.
- Accurate measurement: Measure the medicine using the special cap, measuring spoon, or dropper that comes with it. Never use household teaspoons or tablespoons for this purpose. They are not accurate and may result in an overdose or underdose.
- On time: Take your medicine at the prescribed time and at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor.
- When given to children: Doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine to babies as young as 6 months. But it is done under special circumstances and with great care. Therefore , if you are giving this to a child, you should give it exactly as the doctor says, in the exact dosage.
Special warning about overdose:
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if your symptoms are similar.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes we forget to take our medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for the next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications and foods you take can interact with Fexofenadine and affect its effectiveness. So it's important to be aware of this as well.
| Interacting Substance | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Antacids - Liquids/tablets for gastritis | These can reduce the absorption of Fexofenadine into the body. Therefore, it is best to leave a gap of several hours between taking these two medications. |
| Some medications like Erythromycin, Ketoconazole | These can change the levels of Fexofenadine in the blood. |
| Grapefruit, apple, or orange juice | These fruit juices can reduce the absorption of Fexofenadine into the body. Therefore, the medicine should only be taken with water. |
| Products containing magnesium | Like antacids, these can also affect the absorption of the medication. |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about every medication, vitamin, herbal product, or traditional medicine you are taking.
What are the possible side effects of taking the medicine?
Like any medicine, Fexofenadine can cause minor side effects in some people. However, these are usually not serious.
| Types of Side Effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
Severe allergic reaction (Allergic reaction or angioedema):
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is an emergency. Stop taking the medication immediately and go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU). | |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Cough | Dry mouth |
| Drowsiness | Headache |
| Upset stomach | |
Fexofenadine generally does not cause drowsiness like other older antihistamines. However, some people may experience a slight drowsiness. Therefore, be careful when driving or operating machinery that requires alertness while taking this medication.
Take-Home Message
- Fexofenadine is a very useful antihistamine drug that controls allergy symptoms.
- Before taking the medicine, clearly tell your doctor about all your health conditions (especially kidney disease) and other medications you are taking.
- Always use the correct measuring spoon/dropper that comes with the medicine to measure it. Avoid using household spoons.
- If you overdose or experience a severe side effect (swelling of the face, difficulty breathing), go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately.
- Avoid taking this medicine with fruit juice. It is best to take it with water.
- If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, see your doctor again.
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