Can You Take Allegra Twice A Day?

Answer

Allegra (fexofenadine) is a non-sedating antihistamine approved for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis as well as chronic urticaria (a type of skin rash). Allegra is available over the counter in a variety of forms including:

• 12-hour tablet
• 24 hour tablet/gelcap
• Orally disintegrating tablet
• Oral liquid

Allegra is also available in combination with pseudoephedrine (decongestant) in both 12 and 24-hour formulations. So, some Allegra products can be taken twice a day, but not all of them.

Taking Allegra More Than Once A Day

You should not take more than 180 mg of Allegra a day, which is what is contained in one 24-hour tablet/gelcap.

If a 24-hour formulation of Allegra is not providing the desired effects, there are other options to consider for treating your seasonal allergies:

• Switch to the 12-hour formulation of Allegra and take it twice daily. Some individuals have experienced more consistent allergy symptom relief by switching to the 12-hour formulation if the 24-hour formulation seems to be lacking. The disadvantage to this is adherence as you are less likely to be adherent with dosing if you have to remember to take it twice daily rather than once daily.

• Try a different non-sedating antihistamine. These other options include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or levocetirizine (Xyzal). Every individual responds to medication differently and you can experience better or more consistent results with one non-sedating antihistamine over another. Switching and trying a new medication in this class may also work well when you have been on one for a long time and have noticed that it is no longer as effective as it used to be. 

• Adding on another type of treatment for allergy symptoms.  The most common over-the-counter options for this are nasal steroid sprays such as Nasonex and Flonase. Sometimes adding on another type of treatment is enough to put your symptoms at ease. 

Additional Information

Allegra can be taken without regard to meals but should be taken with water. You should separate Allegra from any grapefruit juice, orange juice, or apple juice for about four hours as they can hinder the absorption of Allegra.

Lastly, you should consider taking a nasal steroid as well. These include:

• Flonase
• Rhinocort
• Nasacort

Nasal steroids are very effective in treating allergy symptoms, and some studies suggest they are more effective than antihistamines.  It's not uncommon for antihistamines to lose their effect if taken consistently for a long period of time, so a switch to a nasal steroid could be beneficial for you.

Final Words

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