Abstract
•Fexofenadine (Allegra, Hoechst-Marion-Roussel), a nonanticholinergic, nonsedating antihistamine, is available for oral treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria.
•Fexofenadine is actually an active metabolite of terfenadine (Seldane), a drug taken off the market because of its cardiotoxicity.
•For seasonal allergic rhinitis, a comparative trial showed that the effect of fexofenadine (120 mg/d in a single dose) was moderate and not different from that of cetirizine (Reactine).
•For chronic urticaria, a dose-finding study showed that the optimal oral dose of fexofenadine was 180 mg/d. Lack of comparative trials means that the efficacy of fexofenadine in relation to other antihistamines is unknown.
•Fexofenadine seems to be well tolerated. Animal studies and limited clinical experience have failed to detect any cardiotoxicity.
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Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
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