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Overdosage
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe); dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe); feeling faint; flushing or redness of face; hallucinations (seeing, hearing,
or feeling things that are not there); shortness of breath or troubled breathing ; trouble in sleeping
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Description
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body.
Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Also, in some persons histamine can close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult.
Some of the antihistamines are also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In patients with Parkinson's disease, diphenhydramine may be used to decrease stiffness and tremor
s. Also, the syrup form of diphenhydramine is used to relieve the cough due to colds or hay fever.
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Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your
doctor immediately if the following side effect occurs:
- Less common or rare
Less frequent or rare with azatadine, cetirizine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorphenira
mine, diphenhydramine, or loratadine
Fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; abdominal or stomach pain; burning; chills; clay-colored stools or dark urine; cough; diarrhea; difficulty swa
llowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; fever; headache; hives; itching;
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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Seldane, an antihistamine related to Allegra, has been implicated in dangerous interactions with the common antibiotic erythromycin, the antifungal medication ketoconazole (Nizoral), and several simil
ar drugs. Allegra poses no such risks. It is also safe for people with liver disease.
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What special precautions should I follow?
PregnancyˇXIn animal studies, Allegra-D did not cause birth defects but did cause a decrease in weight of the infant. Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should continue to use Allegra-D if yo
become pregnant.
Breast-feedingˇXIt is not known whether fexofenadine passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely
while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking Allegra-D and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
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How to Use
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of your medical problem. Take them only as directed. Do not take more of them and do not take them more often than recommended on the label,
unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
DosingˇX
- The dose of an antihistamine will be different for different patients. Follow y
ur doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of antihistamines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you
to do so.
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