Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Fexofenadine is an oral, "second generation"
antihistamine that is used to treat the signs and symptoms of allergy and hives.
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 cells to be "activated," releasing other
chemicals that produce the effects that we associate with allergy (for example,
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.
Therefore, they cause less drowsiness and are called non-sedating
antihistamines. Fexofenadine was approved by the FDA in July 1995.
STORAGE: Tablets and suspension should be stored at room temperature
between 20-25 C (68-77 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Fexofenadine is used for the treatment of
seasonal allergies in patients 2 years of age and older and chronic urticaria
(hives, itching) in patients 6 months of age and older.
DOSING: For seasonal allergies and urticaria the recommended dose for
adults and children 12 years of age or older is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once
daily.
Children 2-11 years of age should be given 30 mg twice daily for seasonal
allergies or urticaria.
Children 6 months to 2 years old should receive 15 mg twice daily for
urticaria.
The suspension is used for children less than 6 years old.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Aluminum containing antacids (for example, Maalox)
reduced the absorption of fexofenadine when administered 15 minutes apart.
Therefore, aluminum containing antacids and fexofenadine should not be
administered together. Fruit juices (apple, orange, grapefruit) may reduce the
absorption of fexofenadine. Fexofenadine should only be administered with water.
PREGNANCY: Fexofenadine has not been adequately studied in
pregnant
women.
NURSING MOTHERS: Fexofenadine has not been adequately studied in women
who are
breastfeeding.
Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin that is usually a sign of an
allergic reaction. The allergy may be to food or medications, but usually the
cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown.
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Eye allergy (or allergic eye disease) are typically associated with hay fever and atopic dermatitis. Medications and cosmetics may cause eye allergies. Allergic eye conditions include allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis with atopic dermatitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Dry eye, tear-duct obstruction, and conjunctivitis due to infection are frequently confused with eye allergies. Eye allergies may be treated with topical antihistamines, decongestants, topical mast-cell stabilizers, topical antiinflammatory drugs, systemic medications, and allergy shots.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
Urinary retention (inability to urinate) may be caused by nerve disease, spinal cord injury, prostate enlargement, infection, surgery, medication, bladder stone, constipation, cystocele, rectocele, or urethral stricture. Symptoms include discomfort and pain. Treatment depends upon the cause of urinary retention.
What is hay fever? What are the symptoms and signs?
Hay fever is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem, and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term.
Allergic rhinitis is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction, and many different substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever.
Rhinitis means "irritation of the nose" and is a derivative of rhino, meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called "seasonal allergic rhinitis." When it occurs throughout the year, it is called "perennial allergic rhinitis." Rhinosinusitis is the medical term that refers to inflammation of the nasal lining as well as the lining tissues of the sinuses. This term is sometime used because the two conditions frequently occur together.
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