Can You Take Allegra Twice A Day?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not the antihistamine Allegra (fexofenadine) can be taken twice a day.
I take Allegra for my allergies and it works great but doesn't last 24 hours. Is it ok to take another 24-hour tablet in the evening? Or maybe a 12-hour tablet in the evening for full coverage? Thank you.
Sep 19, 2022- The 12-hour formulation of Allegra can be taken twice daily, but the 24-hour formulation should not be taken more than once per day as it contains the maximum daily dose of 180 mg.
- If the 24-hour Allegra is not controlling your symptoms well enough, you can switch to the 12-hour version taken twice daily or try a different antihistamine instead.
- Adding a nasal steroid spray to your allergy treatment may provide better symptom relief than taking Allegra alone.
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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References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing.
- Allergic rhinitis
- Inflammation of the nasal passages caused by an allergic reaction, resulting in symptoms like sneezing and congestion.
- Urticaria
- A skin condition characterized by raised, itchy welts or hives that appear on the skin.
- Pseudoephedrine
- A decongestant medication that helps relieve nasal congestion by shrinking swollen blood vessels in the nose.
- Non-sedating
- A medication that does not cause drowsiness or sleepiness as a side effect.
- Nasal steroid sprays
- Medications sprayed into the nose that reduce inflammation and swelling to relieve allergy symptoms.
- Absorption
- The process by which a medication passes through the digestive system and enters the bloodstream.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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