Fexofenadine/Pseudoephedrine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine; decongestant; allergy medicine

Generic and brand names: fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine, oral; Allegra-D; Allegra-D 12 Hour; Allegra-D 24 Hour

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a combination of an antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). The antihistamine relieves the symptoms of seasonal allergies such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose or throat, and itchy, watery, or red eyes. The decongestant helps to relieve a stuffy nose.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease
• thyroid disease
• trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressant. You must not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more than prescribed. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Take this medicine with water only. Drinking fruit juices may make this medicine less effective. These are extended-release tablets. Do not crush or chew them. Swallow the tablets whole.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

If allergy symptoms do not improve within 7 days, or if they get worse, contact your healthcare provider.

You may need to avoid coffee and other stimulants while taking this medicine. If you become nervous, dizzy, or unable to sleep, stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider. Also, do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Trouble breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble urinating.

Other: Headache, nausea, dry mouth, upset stomach, back pain, abdominal pain, nervousness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, shakiness, sore throat.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Milk of Magnesia, and Pepcid Complete (Do not take antacids containing aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours of taking this medicine.)
• blood pressure medicines such as methyldopa (Aldomet), and reserpine
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• grapefruit, orange, or apple juice
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• procarbazine (Matulane)
• rifampin (Rifadin)
• selegiline (Eldepryl)
• yohimbe.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.