SK chemicals said Wednesday that they have launched Nose-R Soft Cap (fexofenadine), a third-generation antihistamine-based drug for allergic rhinitis.

Nose-R is available at pharmacies without a prescription and is effective in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by pollen and house dust, SK chemicals said.

Antihistamines are commonly used for a variety of conditions, including allergic diseases, runny nose, sneezing, insomnia, dizziness, vomiting, and motion sickness. Antihistamines are categorized in order of development from first to third generation, with the higher generations having improved effectiveness and side effects.

Fexofenadine is less likely to cause sedation, which causes drowsiness and body sagging, than conventional antihistamines.

According to SK chemicals, Nose-R speeds up absorption in the body to quickly improve allergy symptoms, and it is easy on the liver, allowing patients to take other medications under the advice of a healthcare professional.

Nose-R can be taken up to 120 mg daily, with each capsule containing 60 mg, and each pack sold in pharmacies consists of 10 capsules.

SK chemicals launched Nose-R in partnership with BaroPharm, an integrated pharmaceutical ordering platform. BaroPharm provides services optimized for pharmacies, including drug purchasing, notification services for re-ordering out-of-stock drugs, and return services.

"The distribution of medicines through BaroPharm is expected to increase the convenience of pharmacies as an additional service that was difficult to obtain in the traditional method of distributing medicines through wholesalers," an SK chemicals official said, "We plan to target the pharmacy and over-the-counter drug markets through various types of distribution strategies, including online specialized platforms."