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Proper Use of This Medicine
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.
Dosing¡X
- 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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What is this medicine
Fexofenadine (fex-oh-FEN-a-deen) is an antihistamine. It is used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and hives of the skin.
Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance calle
d 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 lu
ngs) and make breathing difficult. Histamine can also cause some persons to have hives, with severe itching of the skin.
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Symptoms of overdose may include:
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. In adults, the primary symptom of a Zyrtec overdose is extreme sleepiness. In children, restlessness and irritability may precede drowsine
ss. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.
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What special precautions should I follow?
Breast-feeding¡XSmall amounts of antihistamines pass into the breast milk. Use is not recommended since babies are more susceptible to the side effects of antihistamines, such as unusual excitement or
irritability. Also, since these medicines tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some patients. It is not known yet whether cetirizi
ne, desloratadine, or loratadine cause these same side effects
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What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from cetirizine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- upset stomach
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- difficulty urinating
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Significant Interactions:
Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps)¡XSide effects, such as dryness of mouth, of antihistamines or anticholinergics may be more likely to occur
Erythromycin (e.g.
E-Mycin) or
Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)¡XUse of these medicines with fexofenadine may cause an increased amount of fexofenadine in the blood.
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medi
ines that cause drowsiness)¡XEffects, such as drowsiness, of CNS depressants or antihistamines may be worsened; also, taking maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants may cause some side effects of eit
er of these medicines, such as dryness of mouth, to become more severe
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