fexofenadine

Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine, sold under the brand name Allegra among others, is an antihistamine medication used in the treatment of allergy symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Therapeutically, fexofenadine is a selective peripheral H1 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 1 million prescriptions.