Medication Review: Allegra Allergy Medication

Allegra (Fexofenadine) is classified as an antihistamine, and it is prescribed to treat the runny or itchy nose, sneezing, hives, and red watery eyes that come with hay fever and other seasonal allergies. When you are taking Allegra, don't take other over the counter medications for cold and cough that may have some of the same ingredients in them. Always ask your doctor what you can take, when you are taking Allegra.

Allegra is designed to be taken twice a day by mouth. It can be swallowed with our without food. It isn't necessary to eat first, but some people prefer to take all their meds with a little bit of food on their stomachs. There is no problem, if that is what you wish to do. Be sure to take Allegra with water; don't take it with orange, apple or grapefruit juice because these juices may decrease your body's ability to absorb the drug. Be sure to not take any antacids such as Maalox within 2 hours of taking Allegra. This too will decrease the absorption of the drug.

Be sure to take Allegra in the way it is prescribed. Don't increase or decrease your dosage on your own. Taking more of the drug than prescribed is not going to make it work better. You won't get well any faster by taking a larger dose. When taken as prescribed Allegra does not usually cause drowsiness, but if you were to take too much of it, it very well could cause you some undesirable effects.

The side effects of Allegra are varied in some people. There may be complaints of headaches, earaches, backache, menstrual cramps and stomach upsets. Most people are not bothered enough to stop taking Allegra, but if the side effects to become bothersome be sure to talk to your physician. If you should have rash, swelling, itching, trouble breathing, you could be having an allergic reaction, and you should contact your doctor immediately. If you should have severe shortness of breath you should seek medical help right then. While on Allegra, it is a good idea to limit alcohol consumption because the effects of alcohol may intensify the side effects.

If you have kidney disease, your doctor may not let you take this drug, because it is removed from the body by the kidneys. If your kidneys do not filter properly, you could have too much drug circulating in your body.

My doctor started me on Allegra last year, since I am so prone to Asthma attacks, the effects of pollen and dust can get me started into a full blown asthma attack. This antihistamine really helps me function without getting sick. I do occasionally still sneeze and have occasional swollen sinuses, but for the most part Allegra keeps my airways clear.

Source: Web MD