Allegra: Fexofenadine Hydrochloride


Most drugs have an active component, which drives the effectiveness of the medicine. In the case of Allegra, fexofenadine is this component. In order to better understand how Allegra works, it would be good to know more about fexofenadine and its effects.

Some allergy medications are known to cause nausea and drowsiness. This is due to their nature as first-generation antihistamines. Examples of first-generation antihistamines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl, perhaps the most popular first-generation antihistamine in the market), clemastine (Tavist) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton).

As for Allegra, fexofenadine is an active metabolite derivative of a second-generation drug, which makes it a systemic third-generation antihistamine. A second-generation antihistamine commonly associated with fexofenadine is its predecessor terfenadine, which was discovered to place a patient at risk for cardiac arrythmia. When this was learned, terfenadine was withdrawn from the market. However, fexofenadine is known not to cause this same risk, and is now considered a much safer and less drowsiness-inducing allergy inhibitor.

However, nausea and drowsiness are still a side effect of fexofenadine hydrochloride, also known as Allegra. Other common side effects are headaches, nausea, backaches and coughing. The last is sometimes accompanied with colds.

Fexofenadine is known to have potentially fatal contraindications. This means there are some conditions that may bring out this drug's negative effects. For example, if a person is suffering from kidney, heart or liver problems, he or she must refrain from using fexofenadine without a doctor's recommendation. Some medication or supplements may also produce ill effects when taken with fexofenadine. Most notable among these substances are erythromycin (Erythrocin, E-Mycin, EES) and ketoconazole (Nizoral).

Antacids that contain aluminum and magnesium should also not be taken at the same time as fexofenadine. Once you have taken these antacids, is advisable to wait at least 15 minutes before taking Allegra, although it is best to place a few hours between Allegra and such antacids.

Fruit juices have been known to reduce the effectiveness of fexofenadine. Fexofenadine is also known as highly soluble in alcohol, which may mean their effectiveness would become highly accelerated when taken with alcoholic substances. For best results, fexofenadine-based medicines should be taken only with waetr.

It has not yet been determined if fexofenadine is passed on through the bloodstream or through breastmilk, therefore it is not recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers to take this medicine without a doctor's recommendation. Some medicines have been known to enter an infant's system through nursing or a pregnant mother's bloodstream, and affect a baby's proper development.

When it comes to allergy medication such as Allegra, fexofenadine and other active ingredients are the ones that determine effectiveness. Read up on the active components of the allergy medication you plan to use before making the leap. Besides being able to ascertain if a particular medicine is unsafe for you to take, you can also become more aware of its common side effects, and be able to plan your day around the times when you take them. Remember that most allergy medications are actually maintenance medicines, which should be taken every day in order to assure maximum potency.