Topic summary
Fexofenadine
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medication used in the treatment of allergy symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and urticaria. It is a common over-the-counter medication available under many brand names (including Allegra), as well as a generic drug.
Therapeutically, fexofenadine is a selectiveperipheralH1 blocker. It is classified as a second-generation antihistamine because it is less able to pass the blood–brain barrier and cause sedation, compared to first-generation antihistamines.
It was patented in 1979 and came into medical use in 1996. Fexofenadine is a therapeutic alternative on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. The patent expired in 2005, allowing generic options to be made available. In the United States, fexofenadine has been offered over-the-counter since 2011. In 2023, it was the 219th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.