Allegra

Reports of fexofenadine overdose are infrequent, and because of this, the effects are not well established. No deaths occurred in testing on mice, at 5000 mg/kg, which is 110 times the maximum recommended dose for an adult human. Further research shows no deaths in rats at the same concentration, which equates four hundred times the recommended dose in an adult human. Research on humans ranges from a single 800 mg dose, to a twice-daily 690 mg dose for a month, with no clinically significant adverse effects, when compared to a placebo.

Antihistamines are the antidote to exposure to histamine. As their name
implies, antihistamines are able to block the effects of histamine in your
body. [You should think of antihistamines as being the bouncer at
a club].

When histamine molecules get onto the surface of the cell, they cause
inflammation and irritation.

Antihistamines displace the histamine molecules from the cell and form
a protective shield around the cells so that histamine can not interact
with the cell to cause an allergic reaction.

1.

Benefits: Allergic reactions stopped almost immediately
Side effects: Very dry skin and hyperactivity
Comments: Took medication when symptoms arose, stopped when subsided
2.

Benefits: It helps with sneezing but my nose runs like a faucet. It relieves my itching eyes, I don’t cough as much.
Side effects: none - I don’t recall anything
Comments: I’ve struggled with allergies for 20 yrs. Very few drugs help me however this drug does at least slow down the reaction to allergins. I’m going to try Zyrtec now that it is OTC. I’ve tried benedryl and claritin which don’t help.
3.

Benefits: I had terrible itching, watery eyes, and sneezing from seasonal allergies. This medication did not completely elimiate my symptoms, but is reduced them to a tolerable level without making me too tired or doped up to function at work.
Side effects: I think I did experience some drowsiness from the medication, but nothing that was overly so such that I could not function at work.
Comments: The doseage was one pill/day

The older antihistaminic agent terfenadine was found to metabolize into the related carboxylic acid, fexofenadine. Fexofenadine was found to retain all of the biological activity of its parent while giving fewer adverse reactions in patients, so terfenadine was replaced in the market by its metabolite.[5] Fexofenadine was originally synthesized in 1993 by Massachusetts-based biotechnology company Sepracor, which then sold the development rights to Hoechst Marion Roussel (now part of Sanofi-Aventis), and was later approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. AMRI holds the patents to the intermediates and production of fexofenadine HCl along with Roussel. Since that time, it has achieved blockbuster drug status with global sales of $1.87B USD in 2004 (with $1.49B USD coming from the United States). AMRI received royalty payments from Aventis that enabled the growth of AMRI.

Take this Allegra medication by mouth on an empty stomach 1 hour before or two hours after meals as directed, usually twice daily. Taking this Allegra medicine with a high fat meal can decrease its effectiveness. Do not take antacids containing aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours of taking this Allegra medication. Swallow the Allegra medicine whole. Do not crush or chew the Allegra tablet, and do not take more than prescribed. Do not take this Allegra product within 14 days after stopping an MAO Inhibitor.

Allegra is effectively used to treat allergic symptoms like itchy red eyes, stuffy nose and throat irritation. It contains antihistamine and decongestant, and can be consumed orally on an empty stomach 1 to 2 hours before lunch, twice daily.

Allegra is recommended that you avoid high fat meal while consuming these tablets as they could slower the effectiveness of this medicine. It is necessary that take the dosage as prescribed by your doctor and should be swallowed in entirety. Please do not crush or chew the tablets or take more than prescribed. Avoid taking antacids containing aluminum and magnesium within 2 hours of taking this medication or within 14 days after stopping an MAO Inhibitor.

Please inform your doctor if you have a medical history of allergies, kidney/urinary problems, enlarged prostate, glaucoma (narrow angle), severe high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems (hyperthyroid). The consumption of alcohol is also not permissible when taking this drug as it could aggravate its side effects.

Please avoid the usage of this drug during pregnancy or breast feeding. If it is very necessary to consume the same please consult your doctor or medical practitioner before using the same. Also inform your doctor if you are planning to take or are already taking any prescription or nonprescription drug.

On event of an overdose please contact your local poison control center or hospital immediately. A few of the symptoms of overdose may include irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat, unusual nervousness or excitement, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.

Some moderate side effects like nausea, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, headache, or cold symptoms may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor immediately. If you find any of the symptoms not listed above please get in touch with your doctor immediately.

Fexofenadine is an oral, “second generation” antihistamine that is used to treat the signs and symptoms of allergy that are due to histamine. It is similar to the other second generation antihistamines loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and azelastine (Astelin). Histamine is a chemical that is responsible for many of the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, for example, swelling of the lining of the nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) and then attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine. The attachment of the histamine to the receptors causes the cell to be “activated,” releasing other chemicals that produce the effects that we associate with allergy, e.g., sneezing. Fexofenadine blocks one type of receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine. Unlike the first generation antihistamines, fexofenadine and other second-generation antihistamines do not readily enter the brain from the blood, and, therefore, they cause less drowsiness. Fexofenadine was approved by the FDA in July, 1995.

The onset of action for Allegra was observed at one hour in a controlled clinical trial. Additional studies demonstrated that allergy sufferers continued feeling relief throughout the 12-hour dosing period. Also, two-week trials showed that Allegra provided significant symptom relief throughout the full course of therapy.

n one-on-one interviews with 700 Americans, roughly 23 percent reported loaning their prescription medications to someone else, and 27 percent reported borrowing prescription medications.

The medications most frequently shared (loaned or borrowed) were allergy drugs like Allegra (25 percent), followed by pain medications like Darvoset and OxyContin (22 percent); and antibiotics like amoxicillin (21 percent).

Seven percent of those interviewed said they shared mood-altering drugs like Paxil, Zoloft, Ritalin and Valium. A little more than 6 percent said they shared the prescription anti-acne drug Accutane and about 5 percent shared birth control pills.

The Grand Mercure Allegra Apartments in Hervey Bay is offering travellers who book five consecutive nights at the hotel and additional two nights for free when they choose to stay between May 1st and June 20th 2008 (excluding school holidays and subject to availability).*

Rates start from just $185 per apartment per night.

As Queensland’s unofficial capital for whale watching and as the gateway to World Heritage listed Fraser Island, Hervey Bay is one of Australia’s favourite holiday havens. The area is also famous for its broad bays and beaches ideal for fishing, sailing, swimming and a range of other water sports.

With a prime location opposite the beach and just five minutes from the commercial centre of Hervey Bay, the contemporary-designed AAA 5-star rated Grand Mercure features 49 luxury beachfront apartments.

Each Grand Mercure Allegra apartment makes the most of its superb position, with alfresco terraces and folding tropical shutters taking full advantage of the temperate coastal climate and most with magnificent views. Apartments offer designer kitchens, indulgent spa baths in master suites and quality zoned air conditioning to ensure year round comfort.  A full range of leisure facilities are available for guests including a heated lagoon style pool, gym and sauna, and lavish garden surrounds, with the stylish Esplanade restaurant offering poolside dining.