Alergate (Fexofenadine) 180 Mg

Alergate (Fexofenadine) 180 Mg

Introduction

Alergate (Fexofenadine) 180 mg is antihistamine medication for oral administration containing fexofenadine in the form of fexofenadine hydrochloride. Fexofenadine is second generation H1 antihistamine used for the treatment of allergy symptoms associated with histamine. Established once-daily dose of fexofenadine 180 mg is used for treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and adolescents aged 12 and more.

Alergate 180 is strong antihistamine medication for effective treatment of allergic symptoms. It is known that fexofenadine is non-drowsy antihistamine although the person experiences sleepiness occasionally.

What Is Alergate

Alergate 180 mg is an antihistamine containing fexofenadine which blocks peripheral histamine H1 receptors. Alergate 180 mg tablets (fexofenadine hydrochloride) are approved to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria symptoms in adults and adolescents of 12 years old and older.

This drug is taken to reduce symptoms of itchiness and rash caused by histamine. Fexofenadine is available in different dosages depending on the allergic disorder that has to be treated. As NHS states, fexofenadine should be taken at the dosage of 120 mg once per day for treatment of hay fever in adults and children from 12 years old and older and 180 mg once per day for hives treatment.

It is necessary to note the name and strength of fexofenadine. The search phrase fexofenadine hci may be used when for information about fexofenadine hydrochloride. looking

How It Works

During allergic reaction, body releases histamine. Histamine binds to H1 receptors and causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal reaction, skin rash.

Fexofenadine blocks peripheral H1 receptors so that histamine cannot cause the described symptoms. It is pharmacologically active metabolite of terfenadine which possesses relatively little sedative effect comparing with many older antihistamines.

Why It Is Prescribed

Fexofenadine 180 mg tablets are specifically indicated in manufacturer information for chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and adolescents aged 12 and more. A fexofenadine 180 mg tablet may therefore be prescribed for this indication according to the relevant product instructions. Chronic idiopathic urticaria means appearance of itchy and rash without any identifiable reason.

Fexofenadine is also prescribed for allergic rhinitis but the dose varies depending on the condition and regional product label. NHS recommends 120 mg once daily for hay fever and fexofenadine 180 mg once daily for hives in people aged 12 and more.

How to Take This Medicine

It is necessary to take Alergate in accordance with the instructions provided in the package of the medicine or by your healthcare professional. You should remove the tablet from its packaging, put it into the mouth and swallow it whole with a glass of water.

For 180 mg tablets, NHS and manufacturer recommend to take it before a meal. Do not chew the tablet.

Do not swallow fexofenadine with apple, orange or grapefruit juice as these fruits decrease the absorption and effectivity of the medicine. It is better to use water.

Try to take the medicine at approximately the same time every day. In case you missed the dose and the next one is due shortly, it is better to skip the missed dose than taking two doses at once.

How It Works in the Body

Orally administered fexofenadine is absorbed and acts mainly on peripheral H1 receptors. It is not subject to considerable hepatic biotransformation and differs from many medicines regarding its pharmacokinetic properties.

P-glycoprotein and organic-anion-transporting polypeptides are transport proteins which take part in disposition of fexofenadine. It explains why some medicines and fruit juices affect its absorption or exposure.

Its antihistamine effect appears quite fast. NHS recommends that patients generally feel better within approximately one-two hours after taking fexofenadine.

Dosage Explanation

Usual fexofenadine dose depends on allergic condition being treated. For chronic idiopathic urticaria, the recommended fexofenadine dosage for adults is 180 mg once daily before a meal. The same dose is recommended for adolescents aged 12 and more.

For hay fever, NHS recommends 120 mg once daily for adults and children aged 12 and more. The children aged 6-11 years generally receive 30 mg twice daily for hay fever instead of fexofenadine 180 tablet.

The safety and efficacy of 180 mg strength have not been established for children under 12 years old according to manufacturer information. So, Alergate 180 Mg should not be divided or adjusted to obtain children's dose independently.

What to Expect During the Treatment

Generally, fexofenadine starts relieving symptoms of allergy within one to two hours.

In case of chronic hives, the patient will notice reduction of itching and rash as antihistamine effect develops. The medicine decreases symptoms caused by histamine but does not eliminate permanently the tendency to allergic reactions or urticaria development.

The duration of treatment depends on the reasons for using fexofenadine. Some patients need treatment for a short period while others need longer course due to recurring allergy symptoms.

Side Effects

Some mild fexofenadine side effects include:

• Headache: some people experience headache during taking fexofenadine.
• Sleepiness: although the medicine is regarded as non-drowsy antihistamine, some patients become sleepy.
• Dizziness: it is possible to experience mild dizziness during the treatment.
• Nausea: some patients experience temporary feelings of sickness.

All the described side effects are manageable and do not occur in all patients. In case of sleepiness or dizziness, it is not recommended to drive, cycle or operate machinery until full alertness.

Drug Interactions

Important fexofenadine interactions involve the medicines and products affecting its gastrointestinal absorption or transporter action.

Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium decrease bioavailability of fexofenadine. According to current recommendations, the gap of approximately two hours is needed between fexofenadine and these antacids.

Erythromycin and ketoconazole increase plasma concentration of fexofenadine while apalutamide decreases its exposure. According to NHS, some medicines like leflunomide, velpatasvir, and teriflunomide should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Apple, orange, and grapefruit juice should be avoided during treatment with fexofenadine as it reduces its absorption.

Alergate vs Alternative Treatments

The most common comparison is fexofenadine vs cetirizine as both medicines are second generation antihistamines for allergic conditions.

Fexofenadine is regarded as non-drowsy antihistamine although people experience sleepiness. The same is true for cetirizine – the patients become sleepy sometimes but it is regarded as relatively non-drowsy medicine. Individual response is very different so that one of these medicines is more suitable than another.

Other alternatives include loratadine, desloratadine and levocetirizine. The choice of the best medicine depends on the allergic condition being treated, individual response to the medicines previously, patient's medical history, other medicines used, age and predisposition to drowsiness.

Precautions and Warning

It is not recommended to take Alergate in case the patient had hypersensitivity to fexofenadine or to other ingredients of the specific formulation.

The patient should inform the healthcare professional about kidney or liver problems, cardiovascular diseases and previous heart condition. It is recommended to pay attention to older people and those with renal or hepatic impairment as the clinical data in these patients are relatively scarce.

It is necessary to discuss pregnancy, intention for becoming pregnant and breastfeeding before the treatment.

Although fexofenadine is non-drowsy, it is necessary to determine its effect on the person before driving or operating machinery.

Cost and Affordability

The cost of Alergate 180 Mg depends on the manufacturer, pharmacy, number of tablets in the pack and the place of availability of the drug. It is necessary to compare the precise strength and number of the pills to evaluate the price.

The patients who are looking for Alergate 180 Mg can find its availability online in Grant Pharmacy and buy it in this pharmacy in case it is legally and pharmaceutically allowable.

Practical Tips for Better Results

It is necessary to take Alergate regularly according to the recommended schedule and to swallow it whole with water before a meal.

It is necessary to avoid apple, grapefruit and orange juice before taking the drug as these drinks reduce its absorption.

In case the patient takes antacid containing aluminium or magnesium, it is necessary to leave about two hours between these medicines.

It is better not to take another antihistamine independently with fexofenadine. If allergic symptoms are not relieved despite appropriate treatment, it is better to consult healthcare professional rather than increasing the dose independently.

Storage Instruction

It is necessary to store Alergate according to manufacturer recommendations provided on the packaging. The tablets should be stored in their original packaging or in the properly labeled container.

It is necessary to keep all medicines safely away from children. The medicines should be stored in proper conditions and should not be used after expiration date.

It is not recommended to take tablets from blister packaging in case of significant damage or impossibility to identify the medicine.

FAQs

1. What is Alergate 180 Mg used for?

Alergate 180 Mg contains fexofenadine which is second generation antihistamine. According to manufacturer information, the strength of 180 mg is used for the relief of symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and adolescents aged 12 and more.

2. What is usual fexofenadine 180 mg dose?

For chronic idiopathic urticaria, the dose of fexofenadine 180 mg once daily before a meal is recommended for adults and adolescents aged 12 and more. Other strengths and dosing schedules are used for other allergy indications.

3. Is there any sleepiness when taking fexofenadine?

The patients should know that fexofenadine is non-sedating antihistamine. Sometimes, the patients suffer from dizziness and sleepiness. All the described symptoms require the patient to stop operating heavy machines until the symptoms disappear.

4. Can antacids be taken simultaneously with fexofenadine?

Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium decrease the absorption of fexofenadine. Therefore, it is recommended to leave approximately two hours after taking such medicines and fexofenadine.

5. Is it possible to prescribe Alergate 180 Mg to children?

The 180 mg strength of the medicine is used for adults and adolescents aged 12 and more. Other strengths are prescribed to younger children.

Final Conclusion

Alergate (Fexofenadine) 180 Mg is antihistamine medication containing fexofenadine which is second generation peripheral H1 antihistamine. It is necessary to swallow Alergate with water before a meal.

Apple, orange and grapefruit juice should be avoided during the administration as they reduce its absorption. Possible side effects include headache, nausea, dizziness and sleepiness while approximately two-hour gap from aluminium- or magnesium-containing antacids is required..

Medically reviewed by the Grant Pharmacy Pharmacists Medical Team

Medical References

National Health Service (NHS) – How and When to Take Fexofenadine
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fexofenadine/how-and-when-to-take-fexofenadine/

National Health Service (NHS) – Side Effects of Fexofenadine
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fexofenadine/side-effects-of-fexofenadine/

National Health Service (NHS) – Taking Fexofenadine with Other Medicines and Herbal Supplements
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fexofenadine/taking-fexofenadine-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/

Official Manufacturer Information – Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 180 mg Film-Coated Tablets, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (UK) Ltd
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3488/smpc

Official Manufacturer Information – Fexofenadine Cipla 180 mg Film-Coated Tablets
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/14825/smpc