Precautions and Warnings With Fexofenadine

Prior to taking fexofenadine (Allegra), it's a good idea to become familiar with fexofenadine precautions and warnings, especially if you are taking other medications, operating heavy machinery, or are pregnant. Nursing mothers should also consider the precautions and warnings with fexofenadine, because fexofenadine can pass through breast milk.

 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking fexofenadine (Allegra®), you should tell your healthcare provider if you:
 
  • Have kidney disease
  • Are pregnant or may be pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Have known allergies, including allergies to fexofenadine.
     
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
Finally, make sure to contact your healthcare provider or call for an ambulance immediately if you experience any difficulty breathing or swallowing.
 

Some Fexofenadine Precautions and Warnings

Some precautions and warnings regarding fexofenadine include:
 
  • Certain medications can interact with fexofenadine (see Drug Interactions With Fexofenadine).
     
  • Although fexofenadine causes drowsiness less often than other antihistamines, it can make some people tired. Therefore, until you know whether fexofenadine makes you tired, do not drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery.
     
  • Fexofenadine is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that it could potentially harm your unborn child. If you are pregnant, you should only take fexofenadine if the benefit outweighs the possible risk to your unborn child. Discuss this with your healthcare provider before using fexofenadine.
     
  • If you are nursing or plan to nurse, fexofenadine may pass through your milk. If this applies to you, it is recommended that you stop taking fexofenadine until you can discuss this with your doctor.
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Fexofenadine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;