void using antacids within 15 minutes before or after taking a medication that contains Allegra. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb Allegra.
Do not take Allegra with fruit juice (such as apple, orange, or grapefruit).
Avoid taking any other cold or allergy medicines unless your doctor has told you to.
Check with your doctor before combining Allegra with erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, PCE) or ketoconazole (Nizoral). These drugs may increase Allegra’s effects.
Allow a little time between a dose of Allegra and antacids such as Maalox that contain aluminum and magnesium. This type of antacid can decrease Allegra’s effects.
Allegra-D should never be taken within 2 weeks of using an MAO-inhibitor drug such as the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. Also check with your doctor before combining it with the following:
Mecamylamine (Inversine)
Methyldopa (Aldomet)
Reserpine (Diupress, Hydropres)
You should also avoid Allegra-D if you have a pacemaker and take digoxin (Lanoxin). And you should not combine it with over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants.
If Allegra or Allegra-D gives you an allergic reaction, avoid it in the future. Do not give either product to children under 6.
Do not take Allegra-D if you have glaucoma, urination problems, or severe high blood pressure or heart disease. Also avoid taking Allegra-D within 2 weeks of using an MAO-inhibitor drug such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate.
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Allegra.
Side effects of Allegra may include:
Allegra relieves the itchy, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, red, watery eyes that come with hay fever. It is also used to relieve the itching and welts of hives. Allegra is a type of antihistamine that rarely causes drowsiness.
Most important fact about Allegra
Seldane, an antihistamine related to Allegra, has been implicated in dangerous interactions with the common antibiotic erythromycin, the antifungal medication ketoconazole (Nizoral), and several similar drugs. Allegra poses no such risks. It is also safe for people with liver disease.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Allegra overdose are not well known.
Side effects with Allegra 180 mg for seasonal allergies are low and may include headache, cold, or backache.
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.
Side effects with Allegra 60 mg for hives are low and may include backache, sinusitis, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Side effects with Allegra 30 mg are low and may include headache, cold, coughing, or accidental injury.
Side effects with Allegra-D 12 Hour and Allegra-D 24 Hour were similar to Allegra 60 mg alone (headache, insomnia or nausea) and Allegra 180 mg alone (headache, cold or backache) respectively. Due to the decongestant (pseudoephedrine) component in both Allegra-D 12 Hour and Allegra-D 24 Hour, these products 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. Side effects with pseudoephedrine may include nervousness, restlessness, dizziness, or insomnia. Headache, drowsiness, increased heart rate, palpitations, increased blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms have been reported. You should also tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, glaucoma, thyroid disease, impaired kidney function, or symptoms of an enlarged prostate such as difficulty urinating.
Side effects with Allegra Oral Suspension 30mg/5mL (6mg/mL) are low and may include vomiting, fever, cough, otitis media and diarrhea.
• Take Allegra exactly as directed. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Allegra is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and the evening. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
• Do not take Allegra close to a dose of an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium such as Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and others. These antacids may decrease the effects of Allegra.
• Never take more of this medication than is directed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
• Store Allegra at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Allegra is an antihistamine. Antihistamines work against the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.
• Allegra is used to prevent sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms.
• Allegra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.