Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet (ePIL).
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD.
For further information call emc accessibility on
0800 198 5000.
The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 53886/0065.
(Referred to as Allevia in the remainder of the leaflet)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after taking Allevia.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Allevia is and what it is used for 2. What you need to know before you take Allevia 3. How to take Allevia 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Allevia 6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Allevia is and what it is used for
Allevia contains fexofenadine hydrochloride, which is a non-drowsy antihistamine.
Allevia is used in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (for example hayfever) such as sneezing, itchy, runny or blocked nose and itchy, red and watery eyes.
2. What you need to know before you take Allevia
Do not take Allevia
if you are allergic to fexofenadine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Allevia if:
you have problems with your liver or kidneys
you have or ever had heart disease, since this kind of medicine may lead to a fast or irregular heart beat
you are elderly
If any of these apply to you, or if you are not sure, tell your doctor before taking Allevia.
Other medicines and Allevia
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. If you are taking apalutamide (a medicine to treat prostate cancer), as the effect of fexofenadine may be decreased.
Indigestion remedies containing aluminium and magnesium may affect the action of Allevia, by lowering the amount of medicinal product absorbed. It is recommended that you leave about 2 hours between the time that you take Allevia and your indigestion remedy.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Allevia should not be taken during pregnancy and whilst breast-feeding unless advised by a doctor.
Driving and using machines
Allevia is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, you should check that these tablets do not make you feel sleepy or dizzy before driving or operating machinery.
Allevia contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Allevia
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
For adults and children aged 12 years and over
The recommended dose is one tablet (120 mg) daily. Take the tablet with water before a meal.
This medicine starts to relieve your symptoms within 1 hour and lasts for 24 hours.
Allevia is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
If you take more Allevia than you should
If you take too many tablets, contact your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Symptoms of an overdose in adults are dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue and dry mouth.
If you forget to take Allevia
Do not take double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. Take the next dose at the usual time.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately and stop taking Allevia if you experience:
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat and difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
The following undesirable effects have been reported in clinical trials, with an incidence similar to those observed in patients who did not receive the drug (placebo).
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
headache
drowsiness
feeling sick (nausea)
dizziness.
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
tiredness/sleepiness.
Additional side effects (frequency not known: cannot be estimated from the available data) which may occur are:
difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
sleeping disorders
bad dreams
nervousness
fast or irregular heart beat
diarrhoea
skin rash and itching
hives
serious allergic reactions which can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, flushing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
blurred vision.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Allevia
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage condition. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Allevia contains
The active substance is fexofenadine hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 120 mg of fexofenadine hydrochloride.
Film coating: hypromellose, povidone K30, titanium dioxide (E171), colloidal anhydrous silica, macrogol 400, red iron oxide (E172) and yellow iron oxide (E172).
What Allevia looks like and contents of the pack
Allevia are peach coloured, capsule shaped tablets marked with “012” on one side and a scripted “e” on the other.
Allevia is presented in blister packs, available in pack sizes of 7, 10, 15, 20, 30 tablets. Not all pack sizes are marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Sanofi 410 Thames Valley Park Drive Reading Berkshire RG6 1PT UK