Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 180 mg Tablets
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about ALLERFEXO 180 mg. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What is ALLERFEXO 180 mg used for
The name of this medicine is ALLERFEXO 180 mg. It contains the active ingredient Fexofenadine hydrochloride.
ALLERFEXO 180 mg is used in adults and children aged 12 years and over for:
- relief for symptoms of itchy skin, rash/hives (urticaria), such as allergy-related swelling, hives-related swelling or itch caused by hives
- relief for symptoms of hayfever allergy such as sneezing, itchy, blocked or runny nose and itchy, watery or red eyes.
How ALLERFEXO 180 mg works
ALLERFEXO 180 mg belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines, which work by blocking the actions of histamine. Free histamine in your body causes the above-mentioned symptoms.
ALLERFEXO 180 mg is a non-sedating antihistamine, which means that it has been shown not to make you feel drowsy or slow down your reactions.
There is no evidence that ALLERFEXO 180 mg is addictive.
Before you take ALLERFEXO 180 mg
When you must not take ALLERFEXO 180 mg:
Do not take ALLERFEXO 180 mg if you are allergic to the active ingredient fexofenadine, to terfenadine or to any of the inactive ingredients mentioned at the end of this leaflet under product description.
Do not take ALLERFEXO 180 mg if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you have discussed with your doctor or pharmacist the risks and benefits involved.
Do not take if it is past its expiry date or the packaging appears to have been tampered with.
Do not give ALLERFEXO 180 mg to children under 12 years of age.
Before you start to take it:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines, especially antihistamines
- any other substances including foods, preservatives or dyes
Taking other medicines:
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicine, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may affect how well ALLERFEXO 180 mg works.
How to take ALLERFEXO 180 mg
Adults and children 12 years and over
Take one ALLERFEXO 180 mg tablet once daily when required for hayfever and/or urticaria.
Swallow ALLERFEXO 180 mg with a glass of water (250mL). ALLERFEXO 180 mg can be taken with or without food.
How long to take ALLERFEXO 180 mg
You can stop taking ALLERFEXO 180 mg when you obtain relief from the symptoms. It can be restarted if the symptoms recur. If your condition does not improve after a few days or it is not well controlled by ALLERFEXO 180 mg speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much (overdose):
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too many ALLERFEXO 180 mg tablets, immediately telephone your doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital or call the Poisons Information Centre in Australia at 13 11 26 and New Zealand at 0800 764 766 for advice.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
While you are using ALLERFEXO 180 mg
Things you must do:
- always follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions carefully
- tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ALLERFEXO 180 mg
- if you are about to start taking a new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking ALLERFEXO 180 mg
- try to avoid contact with known substances you are allergic to. Hives (chronic urticaria) are sometimes caused by allergy to certain foods and you should talk to your doctor for information or if you are worried about this
Things you must not do:
- do not use ALLERFEXO 180 mg to treat any other complaint unless your doctor says so
- do not give this medication to anyone else, even if his or hers symptoms seem similar to yours
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you do not feel well while taking ALLERFEXO 180 mg.
ALLERFEXO 180 mg is well tolerated by most people. However, you may notice some side effects such as:
- headache
- tiredness
- nausea (feeling sick)
- indigestion
- dizziness
- drowsiness
The same side effects were seen in patients talking dummy or placebo tablets during the clinical studies.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After taking ALLERFEXO 180 mg
Storage:
Keep ALLERFEXO 180 mg in the original packaging until you need to take it.
Store below 25°C in a dry place, out of reach of children.
Disposal:
Return any unused or out of date medicine to your pharmacist.
Product description
What it looks like:
ALLERFEXO 180 mg is a yellow coloured, oblong, biconvex, film coated tablet, plain on one side and central breakline on the other. Available in blister packs of 10 and 30 tablets.
Ingredients:
Each ALLERFEXO 180 mg tablet contains 180 mg Fexofenadine hydrochloride.
The following inactive ingredients are found in ALLERFEXO 180 mg:
- microcrystalline cellulose
- maize starch
- magnesium stearate
- croscarmellose sodium
- povidone
- opadry yellow film coating
ALLERFEXO 180 mg does not contain sucrose or preservatives.
Sponsor
Ascent Pharma Pty Ltd
151 – 153 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne VIC 3205
AUST R 159416
This leaflet was prepared in June 2010
Published by MIMS October 2010