Home Drug Guide Fexofenadine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Fexofenadine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Allegra, Children's Allegra Allergy, Children's Allegra Hives, Allegra Allergy, Allegra Hives, Children's Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Allergy, Children's Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Hives, Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Allergy, Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Hives

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine for allergy relief

Pharmacological: Second-generation H1 antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms (hay fever)
  • Relief of chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives)

Mechanism of Action

Fexofenadine antagonizes peripheral H1 histamine receptors, reducing allergy symptoms without significant sedative effects.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily

Pediatric: 30 mg twice daily for children 2-11 years; 60 mg twice daily for children 12 years and older

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustment necessary; start with lowest dose if renal impairment present

Renal Impairment: Reduce dose in moderate to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 60 mL/min)

Hepatic Impairment: No specific dose adjustment required

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed, peak plasma levels in 1-3 hours

Distribution: Low volume of distribution; approximately 60% bound to plasma proteins

Metabolism: Limited hepatic metabolism; mainly excreted unchanged

Excretion: Primarily in feces (70%) and urine (20%)

Half Life: 14 hours

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to fexofenadine or other ingredients

Precautions

  • Use with caution in renal impairment; pregnancy category C; lactation considerations

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Nausea (Common)
  • Drowsiness (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)
  • Hepatic impairment (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • May decrease absorption with Al or Mg containing products (antacids)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Avoid taking with fruit juices (grapefruit, apple, or orange juice) within 1 hour of dose, as they reduce absorption.

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for relief of allergy symptoms and adverse reactions.

Diagnoses:

  • Impaired skin integrity related to allergic reaction
  • Risk for side effects related to medication use

Implementation: Administer as directed; educate patient on timing and interactions.

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take with water; avoid fruit juices around time of dosing.
  • Report any signs of allergic reactions or side effects.
  • Do not exceed recommended dose.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None

Genetic Factors: None specified

Lab Test Interference: No known interference with lab tests

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nausea

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if ingestion recent; symptomatic treatment as needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Stability: Stable until expiration date.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.