Allegra

Fexofenadine hydrochloride (brand names include Allegra® and Telfast®) is an antihistamine drug used in the treatment of hayfever and similar allergy symptoms. It was developed as a successor of and alternative to terfenadine, an antihistamine with potentially fatal contraindications.

History

Fexofenadine was developed by Hoechst Marion Roussel (now part of Aventis) and approved by the FDA in 1996. Since that time, it has achieved blockbuster drug status with global sales of $1.87B USD in 2004 (with $1.49B USD coming from the United States).

References

• Synthesis: J. Org. Chem. 1994, 59, 2620.
• Biological effects: Mol. Pharmacol. 1993, 44, 1240.