II. Indications
III. Contraindications
- Severe liver or renal Impairment
IV. Mechanism
-
Second Generation Antihistamine
- Low sedation (compared with Cetirizine) and high potency (compared with Loratadine)
- Least sedating of the Non-Sedating Antihistamines (even at higher doses)
- FDA approved for age 6 years and older
V. Dosing
- FDA approved for age 6 years and older
- Available OTC
- Tablets 30, 60 and 180 mg
- Dissolving Tablets 30 mg
- Suspension 30 mg/5ml
- Adult Dose (ages 12 and over): 60 mg orally twice daily or 180 mg orally daily
- Child Dose (ages 6-11 years): 30 mg orally twice daily
VI. Safety
- Contraindicated in Lactation
- Pregnancy Category C
- However, Appears as safe in pregnancy as Category B Non-Sedating Antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratadine)
VII. Adverse Effects
- See Antihistamine
- Drowsiness
- Although labeled as non-sedating, these Antihistamines may still cause sedation (esp. Cetirizine)
- Sedation may be least likely with Loratadine (Claritin) at lower doses, and Fexofenadine (Allegra) at any dose
VIII. Drug Interactions
- Absorption decreased by orange juice, Grapefruit juice, apple juice (separate by at least 4 hours)
IX. Resources
X. References
- Howarth (1999) J Allergy Clin Immunol 104:927 [PubMed]
- Walsh (2001) Drugs 61:207 [PubMed]
- (2001) Med Lett Drugs Ther 43(1103):35
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Related Studies
| fexofenadine (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| FEXOFENADINE HCL 180 MG TABLET | Generic OTC | $0.26 each |
| FEXOFENADINE HCL 60 MG TABLET | Generic OTC | $0.17 each |
| FEXOFENADINE-PSE ER 60-120 TAB | Generic OTC | $0.51 each |
Ontology: fexofenadine (C0296800)
| Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A drug used to treat certain allergy symptoms. It blocks a chemical released during an allergic response that causes itching, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, and watery eyes. It is a type of antihistamine. |
| Definition (NCI) | A second generation, long-lasting selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist with antiinflammatory property. Fexofenadine is a highly selective and reversible competitor at peripheral H1 histamine receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood vessels, and bronchial smooth muscle. This agent interferes with mediators release from mast cells either by inhibiting calcium ion influx across mast cell/basophil plasma membrane or by inhibiting intracellular calcium ion release within the cells. In addition fexofenadine may also inhibit the late-phase allergic reaction by acting on leukotrienes or prostaglandins, or by producing an anti-platelet activating factor effect. Overall, this agent blocks the actions of endogenous histamine, thereby leads to temporary relief of the negative symptoms associated with histamine and achieve effects such as decreased vascular permeability, reduction of pruritus and localized smooth muscle relaxation. |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | C093230 |
| SnomedCT | 108650005, 372522002 |
| LNC | LP101033-1, MTHU036232 |
| English | alpha-(4-(1-carboxy-1-methylethyl)phenyl)-4-hydroxydiphenylmethyl-1-piperidinebutanol, fexofenadine, fexofenadines (medication), fexofenadines, FEXOFENADINE, fexofenadine [Chemical/Ingredient], Fexofenadine, Fexofenadine (product), Fexofenadine (substance) |
| Spanish | fexofenadina (producto), fexofenadina (sustancia), fexofenadina |
Ontology: Allegra (C1110594)
| Definition (CHV) | brand name of an allergy medicine |
| Definition (CHV) | brand name of an allergy medicine |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | C093230 |
| English | telfast, allegra, allegra [brand name], Telfast, Aventis Behring brand of fexofenadine hydrochloride, Aventis Pharma brand of fexofenadine hydrochloride, Aventis brand of fexofenadine hydrochloride, Hoechst brand of fexofenadine hydrochloride, Allegra |
