Can You Cut Or Split Allegra?

Answer

Allegra (fexofenadine) tablets can safely be cut or split in half. However, Allegra is also available as a GelCap which should not be cut, chewed, or crushed as this may cause medication loss as well as increase the risk of irritation when swallowed.

Also, it is important to point out that Allegra is available in combination with pseudoephedrine, in a product called Allegra-D. Allegra-D should not be cut or split as it is an extended-release tablet. Only Allegra tablets that contain only fexofenadine can safely be cut.

Allegra Products

Allegra is available over the counter as:

• Allegra 180 mg tablets
• Allegra 180 mg gelcaps
• Allegra 30 mg children's orally disintegrating tablets
• Allegra 30 mg/mL children's liquid
• Allegra-D (fexofenadine; pseudoephedrine)

Now, although the 180 mg tablets of Allegra can safely be cut, the resulting dose (90 mg) hasn't been studied for its effects. The 180 mg dose is indicated as a once-daily dose in adults while the 30 mg tablets are indicated for children 2 to 12 years old in a dose of one tablet every 12 hours.

Lastly, a 90 mg dose may not last all day. If you are having side effects with the 180 mg dose or having trouble tolerating it, the orally dissolving tablets or liquid may be a better option for you.

Don't Cut Or Split Allegra-D

Allegra-D tablets have an extended-release mechanism, which releases the active ingredients slowly over time. It is available as either a 12-hour release tablet or a 24-hour release tablet. If you do cut or split the tablet, the extended-release mechanism will be destroyed, causing the entire dose to be delivered at once time. This greatly increases the risk of side effects.

If you are looking to adjust your dose of Allegra-D, you should consider getting each drug separately, as both fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (the active ingredients in Allegra-D) are available as single drug products.

About Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is used to relieve the allergy symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (''hay fever''), including runny nose; sneezing; red, itchy, or watery eyes; or itching of the nose, throat, or roof of the mouth in adults and children 2 years of age and older. It is also used to relieve symptoms of urticaria (hives; red, itchy raised areas of the skin), including itching and rash in adults and children 6 months of age and older.

Fexofenadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergy symptoms.

Final Words

Thanks for reaching out to us. I hope you found this answer helpful.