Allegra

Brand Names

Allegra, Fexofenadine

What is Allegra

Allegra is a medication belongs to antihistamines. It is used to treat allergies and hives. Allegra is used in adults and children 6 years of age and older.

Side effects of Allegra

The most common side effects of allegra include:

• headache
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• pain in the arms, legs or back
• pain
• pain during menstrual period
• cough

Once you have noticed any of these serious side effects, stop taking allegra and contact your doctor immediately:

• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing

Indication

Allegra is used to treat:

• seasonal allergy symptoms (hay fever)
• chronic (long-term) hives and itching known as "chronic urticaria"

Precautions

You should inform your doctor if you have allergic reactions to fexofenadine, any other medications or any of the ingredients in fexofenadine tablets or suspension.

It is obligatory to tell your doctor if you are taking other prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products.

If you are taking an antacid containing aluminum or magnesium (Maalox, Mylanta, others), you should take the antacid a few hours before or after allegra.

You should inform your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.

It is very important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Dosage forms

Allegra dose for Seasonal Allergies or Chronic Hives

Adults and Children 12 Years and Over

The recommended dose for adults and children 12 years old and over with seasonal allergies is Allegra 12 Hour (60 mg) twice a day or Allegra 24 Hour (180 mg) once a day.

You should counsel with your doctor if you have kidney disease or are over age 65, because you may need a lower dosage of Allegra.

Children 6-11 years of age

The recommended dose is Children's Allegra (30mg) twice a day. Children in this age group may need to take Children's Allegra ODT 30mg tablets (orally disintegrating tablets which rapidly dissolve in the mouth) or Allegra oral suspension (liquid).

Younger Children

Allegra is used to treat seasonal allergies in children of 2 years old and chronic hives in children of 6 months old. They should take Allegra oral suspension (liquid). The recommended Allegra dosage for children 2-5 years old is 30mg (5ml or one teaspoonful) twice daily.