Fexofenadine
Fexofenadine is a selective antihistamine used to relieve seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis) symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. Fexofenadine is available alone and in a combination product.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.
 Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. | Grapefruit, orange, or apple juices Pomegranate juice* |
 Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. | St. John's wort |
| Depletion or interference | None known |
| Side effect reduction/prevention | None known |
| Supportive interaction | None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability | None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Interactions with Herbs
St. John's Wort
In a study of healthy volunteers, administration of 900 mg of St. John's wort one hour prior to fexofenadine resulted in a significant increase in blood levels of fexofenadine, compared with the blood levels after taking fexofenadine alone.1 On the other hand, long-term administration of St. John's wort (300 mg three times per day for two weeks) did not alter blood levels of fexofenadine. Until more is known, St. John's wort should not be combined with fexofenadine, except under the supervision of a doctor.
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Juices
Drinking grapefruit juice, orange juice, or apple juice with fexofenadine decreases blood levels of the drug.2 3
Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice has been shown to inhibit the same enzyme that is inhibited by grapefruit juice.4 5 The degree of inhibition is about the same for each of these juices. Therefore, it would be reasonable to expect that pomegranate juice might interact with fexofenadine in the same way that grapefruit juice does.
Alcohol
Selective antihistamines, including fexofenadine, may cause drowsiness or dizziness; however, it is less likely than with nonselective antihistamines.6 Alcohol can intensify drowsiness and dizziness, increasing the risk of accidental injury.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
1. Wang Z, Hamman MA, Huang SM, et al. Effect of St John's wort on the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:414–20.
2. Dresser GK, Bailey DG, Leake BF, et al. Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;71:11–20.
3. Dresser GK, Kim RB, Bailey DG. Effect of grapefruit juice volume on the reduction of fexofenadine bioavailability: possible role of organic anion transporting polypeptides. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2005;77:170–7.
4. Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:705–6.
5. Summers KM. Potential drug-food interactions with pomegranate juice. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:1472–3.
6. Threlkeld DS, ed. Respiratory Drugs, Antihistamines. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, May 1998, 194c.
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2009.