ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM A COLD OR SEASONAL ALLERGIES?

HISPANIC AMERICAN ALLERGY, ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY ASSOCIATION PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THESE COMMONLY CONFUSED CONDITIONS

Bridgewater, N.J., March 11, 2002 – With spring allergy season upon us, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Allegra^Ò (fexofenadine HCl) 180 mg once daily and Allegra^® 30 mg twice daily for children 6 to 11 years of age, and the Hispanic American Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Association (HAAMA) today launched a national education campaign, “La Diferencia entre una Alergia y un Resfriado,” to help people distinguish between seasonal allergy and common cold symptoms.

“I have seen an increase in the number of Hispanic Americans who visit me about a persistent cold when they are actually suffering from seasonal allergies,” said Dr. Jorge Quel, allergist and Executive Director of HAAMA. “There is a need to raise awareness of the differences between the common cold and seasonal allergies in order to help reduce the current confusion that exists.”

Seasonal allergies affect more than 35 million people in the United States. They are a chronic condition caused by the body’s reaction to allergens such as grass and tree pollens that enter the body through the respiratory tract. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Symptoms of the common cold and seasonal allergies often mimic each other, causing many sufferers to confuse the two. Cold symptoms include stuffy nose, sneezing, sore scratchy throat, fatigue and sometimes a fever. Some of the symptoms of seasonal allergies include watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, congestion or itchy throat, and often occur at the same time each year. The biggest difference is that cold symptoms usually last between five to ten days, while those of seasonal allergies can last as long as the person is exposed to the allergen. Once patients work with their physicians to determine their allergens, physicians can then decide the most appropriate treatment.

“It is important for people to recognize the differences between a common cold and seasonal allergies so they can consult their physician about appropriate treatment,” said Dr. Quel. “Neglecting to treat seasonal allergies, especially in the most severe cases, can lead to more serious conditions.”

Physicians have many therapy options available to treat seasonal allergies, including prescribing a non-sedating antihistaminesuch as Allegra^Ò (fexofenadine HCl) 180 mg once daily, Allegra^® 30 mg twice daily for children 6 to 11 years of age or twice daily Allegra-D^® (fexofenadine HCl 60 mg/ pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg) extended-release tablets for congestion.

About Allegra

Allegra^® (fexofenadine HCl) 30 mg twice daily is indicated in the United States for the relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) in children aged 6 to 11. Side effects with Allegra 30 mg are low and may include headache, cold, coughing, or accidental injury.

Allegra^® (fexofenadine HCl) 60 mg twice daily is indicated in the United States for the relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients aged 12 and older. Side effects with Allegra 60 mg for seasonal allergies are low; less than 3% of people experience cold or flu, nausea, menstrual pain or drowsiness.

Allegra^® (fexofenadine HCl) 180 mg once daily is a powerful, safe and effective non-sedating antihistamine for the treatment of seasonal allergy symptoms in patients 12 years and older. Side effects with Allegra are low and may include headache, cold or back pain.

Twice-daily Allegra-D^® (fexofenadine HCl 60 mg/pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg) extended-release tablets provide non-drowsy effective relief of seasonal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion. Side effects with Allegra-D were similar to Allegra alone and may include headache, insomnia, and nausea. Due to the decongestant (pseudoephedrine) component in Allegra-D, this product must not be used if you: are taking an MAO inhibitor (a medication for depression) or have stopped taking an MAO inhibitor within 14 days; retain urine; have narrow-angle glaucoma; have severe high blood pressure or severe heart disease. You should tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, thyroid disease, impaired kidney function, or symptoms of an enlarged prostate such as difficulty urinating.

Allegra (fexofenadine HCl) is available by prescription only, and seasonal allergy sufferers should consult their physician or health professional with questions. Full prescribing information is available by visiting the Aventis Pharmaceuticals U.S. Web site at www.aventispharma-us.com. Also available at this U.S. Web site are copies of this release or any recent release, or call 800/207-8049.

About Aventis Pharmaceuticals

Aventis Pharmaceuticals conducts the U.S. business of Aventis Pharma AG. With headquarters in Bridgewater, N.J., Aventis Pharmaceuticals focuses its activities on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, anti-infectives, arthritis, allergy and respiratory, diabetes, and the central nervous system.

Aventis Pharma AG is the pharmaceutical company of Aventis S.A. (NYSE:AVE). Aventis Pharma is dedicated to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of innovative pharmaceutical products aimed at fulfilling unmet medical needs. The corporate headquarters of Aventis Pharma is in Frankfurt, Germany. Aventis Pharma is comprised of Aventis Pharmaceuticals; Aventis Pasteur, a world leader in vaccines, headquartered in Lyon, France; and Aventis Behring, a world leader in therapeutic proteins, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa.

Aventis SA, a world leader in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, is headquartered in Strasbourg, France. In 2000, Aventis generated group sales of € 22.3 billion ($20.6 billion) and employed around 92,500 people. The company announced in November 2000 that it intends to focus on pharmaceuticals and plans to divest it activities in agriculture. Aventis was launched in December 1999 through the merger of Hoechst AG of Germany and Rhône-Poulenc SA of France. For more information, please visit: www.aventis.com.

Full prescribing information is available by visiting the Aventis Pharmaceuticals U.S. Web site at http://www.aventispharma-us.com. Also available at this U.S. Web site are copies of this release or any recent release, or call 800/207-8049.

Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the strength of competition, the outcome of litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.