Allegra

Allegra (Telfast) or fexofenadine is an antihistamine. It reduces the symptoms of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) and other allergies.

Allegra (Telfast) like other antihistamines, works by preventing the action of histamine on your nose and eyes. Allegra (Telfast) provides relief from the symptoms of allergies such as runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, itchy throat, and sneezing.

TELFAST is the New Zealand trade name for ALLEGRA.

Allergies

Allegra can help with seasonal allergies. Depending on your sensitivity and where you live, the itching, sneezing, dripping misery you feel when the allergy season starts can continue for weeks or months. Unfortunately these symptoms reappear with each allergy season. The cause of this condition is the billions of microscopic pollen grains that are released into the air every spring and fall. If you have ever noticed that your allergies seem to get worse as the season progresses, you've experienced the priming effect. Basically, your body becomes more sensitive to allergens after repeated exposure, so less and less pollen can cause more and more of a reaction. Taking an allergy medicine such as Allegra as directed can help reduce that reaction. It's not known for sure why some people have allergic reactions and others do not, although allergies tend to run in families. What scientists do know is that your allergic reactions are caused by a case of "mistaken identity" within your immune system--the defense system the body launches against outside invaders. For some reason, the immune system of people prone to allergies, misinterprets harmless grains of pollen as a threat to the body, releasing a series of chemicals, including histamine. Unfortunately, this response results in the miserable symptoms we call allergies.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is the popular term for "allergic rhinitis" , which simply means an inflammation in the nose caused by an allergic reaction. Hay fever is not really caused by hay, nor does it produce a fever. The name was coined over a century ago when English doctors noticed that during the hay making season, some people suffered sneezing fits, runny noses and itchy eyes. Hay fever is a seasonal allergic rhinitis because it is caused by plant pollens which are carried on the wind during the growing season.

Antihistamine Tips

1. Antihistamines such as Allegra are more effective if taken as soon as the allergy attack develops.
2. Taking more than one antihistamine at a time won't bring faster or stronger relief. If your antihistamine isn't effective, you may need to add another type of medication or change brands. Check with your pharmacist or doctor.
3. Don't take antihistamines if you are scheduled for allergy tests within 72 hours.

Allegra should not be taken by patients who are hypersensitive to fexofenadine or any of its ingredients.

Allegra has no drug interactions of significance. However patients taking Troglitazone (Rezulin) should be aware that the effectiveness of Allegra will be reduced.

Allegra causes less drowsiness than most other antihistamines. Until you know if it makes you drowsy or dizzy, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.

Do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

As there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, the safe use of Allegra during pregnancy and in mothers that are breast feeding has not been established, therefore it should only be used if the potential benefits to the mother justify the potential risk to the fetus or infant.

Allegra should be used cautiously in patients with renal (kidney) impairment.

Side effects of Allegra include:

• drowsiness
• menstrual changes
• stomach upset, nausea, vomiting
• tiredness

This web page contains information about Allegra.

• It does not contain all the available information.
• It does not take the place of your doctor or pharmacist.