* Allegra Tablets and Suspensions


Allegra is one of the most popular allergy medications in the world today, mainly because it effectively addresses a major health issue that affects millions of people all over the globe: hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). This medicine also cures other allergy-related conditions, such as hives. Hives is another common affliction, although it is more often triggered by food or drug allergies than airborne substances, and in many cases the true cause of an attack of hives is harder to pinpoint.

Many allergy medications such as Allegra are classified as maintenance medicines, which means you should take them regularly and continuously in order to maximize their potency. In a way they are also preventive medicines, because one starts taking them at least several hours before an attack is anticipated. It may be easier to predict when an attack will occur in the case of hay fever. You may feel like the medicine is doing nothing, because you don't feel yourself becoming "cured" - but the fact that you are not experiencing any allergic reactions is its own proof!

Allegra is dispensed in two ways: through tablet form and through suspension form. The most commonly-patronized form is its regular tablet form. Allegra tablets are coated with a peach-colored film coating. The dosage on each tablet is marked on one side as 03 (for the 30 mg tablets), 06 (for the 60 mg tablets) or 018 (for the 180 mg tablets), while a capital E is printed on the other side. The tablets should be stored at room temperature, in a dry area.

30 mg is a very mild dosage, generally safe for twice-a-day use on children aged 6 to 12 years. Children older than 12 years may take the adult dose: one 60 mg dose twice a day, or a 180 mg dose once a day. When in doubt, however, always consult your doctor before using any form of medication on children. Adults who suffer from decreased renal functions may be given 60 mg once a day as a starting dose.

Allegra is also available as an oral suspension. This is the preferred form for dispensing to smaller children. Children aged 2 to 11 years may experience relief from seasonal allergic rhinitis with the help of a 5 mL (30 mg) suspension twice a day. Children with decreased renal function should be given a 5 mL solution once a day as a starting dose.

It is very important to remember that Allegra may have strong contraindicative effects - meaning that when taken in combination with certain other medications, one may experience some severe side effects. Ketoconazole and erythromycin may be particularly risky, as they have been known to increase the plasma concentration in the fexofenadine content of this allergy drug. Rifampin and St. John's Wort may also produce adverse reactions.

If you suffer from heart, liver, or kidney failure, or are regularly taking any other medicine/s, be sure to consult your doctor first if it is safe for you to take Allegra. Even if you're only taking over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and herbal medications, you should discuss all your medication with your doctor first.