Fexofenadine: new preparation. Terfenadine, without cardiotoxicity

(1) Fexofenadine, a non anticholinergic non sedative antihistamine, is available in France for oral treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. (2) Fexofenadine is actually an active metabolite of terfenadine, a drug taken off the market because of its cardiotoxicity. (3) In seasonal allergic rhinitis a comparative trial showed that the effect of fexofenadine (120 mg/day in a single intake) was moderate and not different from that of cetirizine. (4) In chronic urticaria a dose-finding study showed that the optimal oral dose of fexofenadine was 180 mg/day. The lack of comparative trials means that the efficacy of fexofenadine in relation to other antihistamines is not known. (5) Fexofenadine seems to be well tolerated. Animal studies and limited clinical experience have failed to detect any cardiotoxicity.