Adult: 120 mg daily (in 1 or 2 divided doses) or 180 mg once daily. Child: 2-11 years 30 mg bid; ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Oral Chronic idiopathic urticaria
Adult: 180 mg once daily. Child: 6 months to <2 years 15 mg bid; 2-11 years 30 mg bid; ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Renal Impairment
Seasonal allergic rhinitis:Child: 2-11 years Initially, 30 mg once daily; ≥12 years Initially, 60 mg once daily. Adult: Initially, 60 mg once daily. Chronic idiopathic urticaria:Child:6 months to <2 years Initially, 15 mg once daily; 2-11 years Initially, 30 mg once daily; ≥12 years Initially, 60 mg once daily. Adult: Initially, 60 mg once daily.
Administration
Should be taken on an empty stomach. Do not take w/ fruit juice.
Special Precautions
Patient with current or history of CV disease. Renal and hepatic impairment. Children. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Cardiac disorders: Palpitations, tachycardia. Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspepsia. General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue. Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. angioedema, chest tightness, flushing). Nervous system disorders: Headache, drowsiness, dizziness. Psychiatric disorders: Insomnia, nervousness, sleep disorders or nightmares. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash, urticaria, pruritus.
Overdosage
Symptoms: Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue and dry mouth. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Drug Interactions
Increased plasma concentrations with erythromycin and ketoconazole. Reduced bioavailability and absorption with antacids containing Al and Mg.
Food Interaction
Reduced bioavailability with fruit juices, including grapefruit juice.
Lab Interference
May suppress the wheal and flare reactions to skin test antigens.
Action
Description: Fexofenadine is a non-sedating antihistamine and an active metabolite of terfenadine. It competes with histamine for H1-receptor on effector cells in the blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. Onset: 2 hours. Duration: 24 hours. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability: Approx 33%. Time to peak plasma concentration: 2 hours (orally disintegrating tab); approx 2.6 hours (conventional tab); approx 1 hour (susp). Distribution: Plasma protein binding: 60-70% primarily to albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein. Metabolism: Undergoes minimal metabolism in the liver (approx 5%) to methylester metabolite. Excretion: Mainly via faeces (80%); via urine (12%, as unchanged drug). Elimination half-life: 14.4 hours.
Chemical Structure
Fexofenadine Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Fexofenadine, CID=3348, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Fexofenadine (accessed on Jan. 20, 2020)
R06AX26 - fexofenadine ; Belongs to the class of other antihistamines for systemic use.
References
Anon. Fexofenadine. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 03/03/2017.Buckingham R (ed). Fexofenadine Hydrochloride. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 03/03/2017 .Children’s Allergy Suspension (Actavis Pharma). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 03/03/2017.Joint Formulary Committee. Fexofenadine Hydrochloride. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 03/03/2017.McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Fexofenadine Hydrochloride. AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 03/03/2017.Telfast Oral Suspension (Sanofi-Aventis Farmaceutica Ltda.). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my/. Accessed 14/03/2019.