Allegra is a prescription medicine that is used to treat allergies in children. It has not been as popular as other allergy medicines for children with allergies, because until recently, it was only available as a pill.
Allegra is approved to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis in children over the age of 2 and chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) in children over age 6 months. Allegra is not approved to treat perennial allergies though.
Allegra is now available in an oral suspension that can be given to children between the ages of 2 and 11 years with seasonal allergies and over 6 months with chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives). This can be helpful for older children who can't yet swallow pills and want an alternative to Claritin, Clarinex, Singulair, and Zyrtec, which are already available in chewable or dissolvable tablets.
Allegra is a histamine H1-receptor antagonist also known as fexofenadine hydrocloride. Other facts about Allegra include:
- Most younger children take their Allegra twice a day.
- Allegra can interact with erythromycin, ketoconazole, aluminum and magnesium containing antacids, such as Maalox, and certain fruit juices.
- Allegra Oral Suspension 30mg/5ml
- Allegra 30mg Tablets
- Allegra 60mg Tablets
- Allegra 180mg Tablets
- Allegra D 24 hour Tablets
- Allegra D 12 hour Tablets
- Children 6 to 23 months with chronic idiopathic urticaria are usually given 1/2 teaspoon twice a day, increasing to 1 teaspoon twice a day for children between the ages of 2 and 11 years of age.
- Children 2 to 11 years are usually given 1 teaspoon twice a day for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Older children between the ages of 6 and 11 years of age who can swallow a pill can take a 30mg Allegra tablet twice a day instead of the Allegra oral suspension.
- Adults and children 12 years and older can take a 60mg Allegra tablet twice a day or 180mg once a day for chronic idiopathic urticaria or seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Side effects of taking Allegra are generally low, and for younger children taking the oral suspension include vomiting, fever, cough, ear infections, diarrhea, runny nose, upper respiratory infections, and drowsiness.
- Allegra should be taken with water and not fruit juice, such as grapefruit, orange, or apple juice.
- If Allegra doesn't work for your child, alternative allergy medicines might include Claritin, Clarinex, Zyrtec, and/or Singulair. Steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase, Nasonex, or Rhinocort Aqua, might also be prescribed, depending on your child's age.
Allegra Product Information Sheet. Rev. October 2006.
