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INTRODUCTION: Antihistamines are used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms. However, the cognitive effects of some antihistamines can dramatically impair individuals in occupations that require sustained vigilance. METHODS: The cognitive effects of fexofenadine were compared to a placebo (passive control) and cetirizine (active control) in healthy naval flight personnel. All subjects received one dose of each treatment in one of six possible sequences with two washout periods in between, and were assessed for aviation-related cognitive skills using the Aeromedical Vigilance Test (AVT) at both ambient atmospheric conditions and normobaric hypoxic conditions. Drowsiness was self-assessed by participants using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between fexofenadine and placebo over the entire 60-min test period, under ambient atmospheric conditions, or under either hypoxic condition. Compared with placebo, cetirizine significantly increased AVT errors over the entire 60-min test period, at 10,000 ft, and at 15,000 ft. No statistical difference was found between treatments under ambient atmospheric conditions, although cetirizine treatment resulted in a greater change from baseline in adjusted average number of AVT errors (0.2124 +/- 0.06) than fexofenadine treatment (0.1989 +/- 0.07) and placebo (0.0745 +/- 0.07). Furthermore, at 10,000 ft there were significantly more AVT errors with cetirizine than with fexofenadine. There were no significant increases in self-reported drowsiness (VAS) for both cetirizine and fexofenadine compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Fexofenadine is comparable to placebo in its effect on the cognitive skills important for piloting an aircraft, while cetirizine impairs cognition and may affect piloting ability.

For seasonal allergies the recommended dose for adults and children 12 years or older is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily. Children 6-11 years of age should be given 30 mg twice daily. For chronic urticaria, adults and children 12 years or older should use 60 mg twice daily, and children 6-11 years of age should use 30 mg twice daily. Take Fexofenadine with water (not fruit juice).[4] Fexofenadine can be taken with or without food.

Treatment Info
Condition / reason: Severe Allergies
Dosage & duration: 180 MG taken once a day as needed for the period of Only as needed
Other conditions: Sinus Congestion & Headaches
Other drugs taken: None

Reported Results
Benefits: Almost immediate relief of allergy symptoms, freer breathing
Side effects: None
Comments: I suffered from severe allergic reactions to almost all allergens. My nasal passages would constrict & I could not breathe through my nose. As a result, my sinuses would clog up & I would experience severe sinus headaches. Taking this medication only as needed — when I began to first experience the severe symptoms — has actually seemed to decrease my symptoms overall. I don’t need to use the medication as often as I did when I first began taking it. In fact, my original prescription was filled 4/8/2007 for a quantity of 30 and I still have four pills left!