Archive for February, 2008

How should I take Allegra?

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Take Allegra exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To take Allegra orally disintegrating tablets:

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.

Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
Take the disintegrating tablet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after you start taking Allegra. Never take more of the medication than your doctor has prescribed.
Store Allegra at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed.

Allegra side effects

Monday, February 18th, 2008

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Allegra and call your doctor if you have fever, chills, body aches, cough, or other flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;
  • menstrual cramps;
  • drowsiness, tired feeling;
  • headache; or
  • muscle or back pain.

This list is not complete and other side effects may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Why is Allegra prescribed?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Allegra relieves the itchy, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, red, watery eyes that come with hay fever. It is also used to relieve the itching and welts of hives. Allegra is a type of antihistamine that rarely causes drowsiness.

In addition to the antihistamine in Allegra, Allegra-D also contains the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine.