The fexofenadine is an antihistamine drug that is capable of alleviating, ameliorating or preventing various symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis. Its active components work to control the levels of histamine that are formed in the body and in turn prevent allergic symptoms such as runny nose, itching, sneezing, among others.
Index
Uses and indications of fexofenadine
This medication is indicated to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis, the symptoms associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria, and for people allergic to pollen.
Allergic diseases can easily be confused with some infections, therefore, it is important to attend the doctor for a diagnosis and thus obtain the corresponding prescription for the case, with the appropriate dose, the time that the treatment will last and the frequency with which must be taken.
This antihistamine is used to treat various allergies in the respiratory tract, skin and eyes.
Among the most common uses are:
- Itching in the nose, palate and throat.
- Allergic conjunctivitis.
- Excess runny nose.
- Severe sneezing
- Hay fever.
- Dry skin caused by diseases such as itching.
- Irritation in the eyes, with constant tearing.
- Chronic idiopathic urticaria.
- Redness on the skin.
- Allergic rhinitis due to flower pollen.
- Hives rash.
How Fexofenadine Is Used
- It is taken orally with a glass of water.
- The directions on the drug label or as directed by the doctor should be followed.
- It does not deserve to eat or not food when taking this medicine.
- Doses should be taken at regular intervals.
- It should not be taken more often than prescribed by the doctor.
- Full treatment should be done, even if symptoms have improved.
Recommended doses of fexofenadine
The taking must be done in a responsible and controlled way. The dose will depend on the pathology and the age of the patient. In any case, the recommended doses are established as follows:
To improve seasonal allergic symptoms with tablets
In people over 12 years of age, the dose should be 60 milligrams in 2 doses or 120 milligrams in 1 single dose per day.
To improve seasonal allergic symptoms with oral suspension
- In children between 2 and 11 years old, 60 milligrams is recommended in 2 doses a day.
- For patients with kidney deficiencies, doses should not exceed 30 milligrams per day.
For idiopathic chronic urticaria treatments
- The dose for people over 12 years of age is 60 milligrams in 2 doses or 120 milligrams in 1 single dose per day.
- If there are kidney problems, the dose should only be 60 milligrams daily.
- For this treatment in children between 2 and 12 years old, 60 milligrams in 2 doses a day is recommended. If there is kidney deficiency in these children, they should only take 30 milligrams during the day.
- In children between 6 months and 2 years, the corresponding dose is 30 milligrams in 2 doses daily.
Commercial presentation of fexofenadna
This medicine can be found in two presentations:
In tablets
They are available in boxes of 10, 20, 30 and 40 pills of 30, 120 and 180 milligrams.
In oral solution
The bottles contain 30, 60, 150 300 milliliters, all with 6 milligrams of its active component.
Fexofenadine Precautions
Before starting to take this medicine, it is necessary to be informed of the precautions that must be taken, to avoid adverse effects. Some of them are:
- The person must know if he is allergic to any of its components, before taking it.
- If the doctor has prescribed it for you and he thinks you are allergic, he should inform him so that he can prescribe another medicine.
- If you have an allergic reaction when consuming it, you should call your doctor or go to an emergency center immediately.
- The doctor must be informed if the patient has liver disease or kidney function abnormalities.
- If the person is under the effects of this medicine, it is recommended to avoid operating machinery, driving vehicles or doing activities that require concentration and being alert.
- Before performing any type of surgery, the doctor should be informed if you are taking this medicine.
- If you are breastfeeding, your doctor should tell you how to take this medicine.
Side effects of fexofanadine
When taking this medicine, allergic reactions can occur that can become serious and generate symptoms such as those mentioned below:
Common side effects
- Cough continues.
- Diarrhea.
- Pains all over the body.
- Dizziness
- Unusual pain in the back, arms and legs.
- Strong discomforts during the period of menstruation.
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness.
- Insomnia.
- Fatigue.
- Vertigo.
- Sickness.
Serious side effects
- Itching all over the body.
- Skin rash or rash.
- Ronquera.
- Redness on the skin.
- Systemic Anaphylaxis.
- Acceleration in breathing.
- Pallor.
- Nervousness.
- Asthma.
- Loss of consciousness
- Audible wheezing.
- Urticaria.
- Swelling of the deep layers of the skin.
- Chest pain.
- Sleep disorders.
- Sudden sweating
- Urticaria.
- Difficulty to swallow.
- Shortness of breath or shortness of breath.
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, and calves.
- Swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, and throat.
- Inflammation in the eyes.
Contraindications of fexofanadine
It is important to know when this medication should not be taken and to inform the doctor if there are any conditions, so that they can indicate whether the patient is able to take it or not. Among the most prominent contraindications are known:
- It should not be mixed with other medications, in case of having another additional treatment with magnesium and aluminum hydroxide, it is recommended to take it within 2 hours before or 2 hours after.
- As long as I am under this treatment, alcoholic beverages should be avoided.
- If there is kidney deficiency, the doctor should be asked to indicate lower doses. In severe cases it should not be administered.
- Elderly people should be careful when taking this medicine.
- If the person has had or is suffering from cardiovascular disease, this medicine should not be taken.
- Given the hypersensitivity of this drug, its intake is contraindicated.
- When you miss a dose, you should preferably wait for the time of the next dose, since you should not take extra doses to make up for the forgotten one.
- Care should be taken with an overdose, this could cause poisoning and adverse damage such as dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness and fatigue.
- This treatment should not be restarted voluntarily, nor should it be recommended to other people, even if you have the same symptoms, you may not have the same physical conditions.
- This treatment should not interrupt or reduce the indicated dose without the authorization of the doctor.
- It is not recommended in gestation periods, unless the doctor indicates it.
Conclusion of the use of fexofenadine
To finish, we can conclude by saying that this antihistamine has the ability to block the effects of histamine that causes a wide variety of allergies, its action helps to improve the symptoms generated by seasonal allergic rhinitis that includes sneezing, fever, runny nose, redness. and itchy throat, nose, eyes, and palate. In the same way it relieves conditions due to hives, rash or skin eruptions.
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Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.