Do NOT use Allegra if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Allegra
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Allegra:
Some medical conditions may interact with Allegra. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems or trouble urinating
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Allegra. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Erythromycin or ketoconazole because they may increase the risk of Allegra’s side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Allegra may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Allegra:
Use Allegra as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Allegra by mouth with or without food.
- Take Allegra with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
- Do not drink fruit juice at the same time that you take Allegra. Certain fruit juices (eg, grapefruit, apple, orange) may decrease Allegra’s effectiveness.
- If you take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium, do not take them at the same time as Allegra. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take them with Allegra.
- If you miss a dose of Allegra, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Allegra.
Important safety information:
- Allegra may cause dizziness. It does not usually cause drowsiness when used under normal circumstances at the recommended doses. However, these effects may be worse if you take Allegra with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Allegra with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Allegra may interfere with skin allergy tests. If you are scheduled for a skin test, talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking Allegra for a few days before the tests.
- Use Allegra with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Allegra should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Allegra while you are pregnant. It is not known if Allegra is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Allegra, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Allegra:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; headache; stomach upset.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); earache; fever; severe or persistent coughing or vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include unusual or severe dizziness, drowsiness, or dry mouth.
Proper storage of Allegra:
Store Allegra between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Store in original packaging until just before use. Keep Allegra out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Allegra, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Allegra is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- Carry an identification card at all times that says you are taking Allegra.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Allegra. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor.