Allergy Medicine: Comparing the Best OTC Allergy Medications
No matter what’s causing your allergy symptoms, the right medication can provide relief. Review the best allergy medicines available, from nasal sprays to pills.
fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Congestion
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Congestion
Allegra-D is a combination of two medications: pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) and fexofenadine (an antihistamine). It's taken by people ages 12 years and older to relieve allergy symptoms, like sinus congestion and runny nose. Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) is taken by mouth, either every 12 hours or every 24 hours, depending on the formulation (Allegra-D 12-hour or Allegra-D 24-hour. Some common side effects include headache and trouble sleeping. This medication is available as both brand name and generics.
What is Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)?
What is Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) used for?
Short-term relief of allergy symptoms in adults and children ages 12 years and older:
- Itchy nose or throat
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sinus congestion or pressure
How Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) works
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) is a combination of two medications that work together to relieve allergy symptoms.
- Fexofenadine is a second-generation antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in your body that can cause allergy symptoms like itchiness, itchy eyes, or runny nose.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It tightens blood vessels in the nose to relieve sinus pressure.
When does Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Allegra-D |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine / Decongestant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Controlled in some states. See FAQs below. |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
Side effects of Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping (11%)
- Headache (9%)
- Nausea (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Accidentally taking too much medication: hallucinations, agitation, extreme drowsiness, seizures
- High blood pressure or fast heart rate: chest pain, dizziness, trouble breathing
When do Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Headache
Trouble sleeping
Nausea
The following Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Trouble in sleeping
Incidence not known
Difficult or labored breathing
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
feeling of warmth
hives or welts
itching skin
itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
reddening of the skin, especially around ears
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
shortness of breath
skin rash
tightness in chest
swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Terrifying dreams causing sleep disturbances
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$49.33
GoodRx discount
$15.52
Pros and cons of Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
Pros
- Starts working within an hour
- Easier to take a combination pill instead of two separate pills
- Available as a once-daily tablet
- Available over the counter (behind the counter)
Cons
- Tablets can't be crushed or chewed and there isn't a liquid version available
- Best to take on empty stomach
- Not for children younger than 12 years old
- Not a good option for people with kidney or heart problems
Pharmacist tips for Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
- Swallow Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) tablets whole. Don't cut, crush, or chew the tablets. This will affect the way the medication works since it's made to release the medication into your body slowly over time.
- Take Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) with a glass of water on an empty stomach. Don't take it with fruit juices because they might affect how well Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) gets absorbed into your body.
- You might experience trouble sleeping (insomnia) after starting Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine). To prevent this medication from affecting your sleep, it's best not to take your dose too close to bedtime.
- Both fexofenadine and pseudophedrine interact with other medications, such as other cold and allergy medications, or blood pressure medications. Ask your healthcare team or pharmacist to help you check for medication interactions when you're taking Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine).
- Avoid taking Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) and antacids containing aluminum or magnesium (e.g., Mylanta, Rolaids) within a few hours of each other. Taking these medications too close together can potentially cause the fexofenadine in Allegra-D to not work as well to treat your allergies.
- Stop taking Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) and contact your primary care provider if your allergy symptoms don't get better within 7 days of starting Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) or if you develop a fever. These might be signs of a serious condition that needs more medical attention.
- Store Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) up and away from children and pets. That way, they're less likely to reach it and accidentally take the medication. If you think your child accidentally took the medication, call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Risks and warnings for Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Fast heart rate and high blood pressure
- Risk factors: Heart problems | High blood pressure
Pseudoephedrine in Allegra-D can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, even at recommended doses. If you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure, ask your cardiologist if Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) is safe for you before taking this medication. If you get severe headaches, nosebleeds, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain while taking Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine), stop taking it and get medical attention right away. These can be signs of seriously high blood pressure.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Heart problem | High blood pressure | Thyroid problem | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Breathing problem (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Kidney problems | Urinary condition
Talk with your primary care provider or pharmacist first before you start Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) if you have other medical conditions. They can make sure this medication is safe and appropriate for you to take.
People who are 65 years of age or older might feel side effects from Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) more intensely. In addition, this medication might worsen certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma, and breathing problems.
Accidentally taking too much medication
Allegra-D contains an antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Antihistamines and decongestants are commonly found in other over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Taking too many antihistamines or too many decongestants can be dangerous and lead to serious side effects, including high blood pressure, seizures, and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real).
Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist if you're not sure whether you're taking a medication that has the same or similar ingredients as Allegra-D. Tell your primary care provider or pharmacist about the medications you take or plan to take to make sure they're safe for you. Get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you think you or a loved one accidentally took too much medication.
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) dosage
The average cost for 60 tablets of 12 hour of Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) is $21.90 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 56.21% off the average retail price of $50.01. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 hour | 60 tablets | $21.90 | $0.37 |
| 24 hour | 30 tablets | $15.52 | $0.52 |
Typical dosage for Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) 24-hour tablet: Each tablet contains 180 mg of fexofenadine and 240 mg of pseudoephedrine.
- People ages 12 to under 65 years old: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth once a day on an empty stomach. Don't take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours.
- People ages 65 years and older: Ask your primary care provider.
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) 12-hour tablet: Each tablet contains 60 mg of fexofenadine and 120 mg of pseudoephedrine.
- People ages 12 to under 65 years old: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours on an empty stomach. Don't take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.
- People ages 65 years and older: Ask your primary care provider.
Your dose might be different if you have kidney problems.
Interactions between Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) and other drugs
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Dihydroergotamine
- Furazolidone
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Methylene Blue
- Moclobemide
- Nialamide
- Phenelzine
- Procarbazine
- Rasagiline
- Safinamide
- Selegiline
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Apomorphine
- Capmatinib
- Epinephrine
- Guanethidine
- Iobenguane I 123
- Iobenguane I 131
- Lasmiditan
- Methyldopa
- Midodrine
- Pitolisant
- Simeprevir
- Venetoclax
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Aluminum Phosphate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
- Magaldrate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Magnesium Hydroxide
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Trisilicate
- St John's Wort
How much does Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken an MAOI in the last 14 days
- Glaucoma
- Trouble urinating
- Severe high blood pressure
- Severe coronary artery disease
What are alternatives to Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
Used for:
Short-term relief of allergy symptoms in adults and children ages 12 years and older:
$15.52View prices
Used for:
Short-term relief of allergy symptoms in adults and children ages 12 years and older:
$16.42View prices
News about Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine)
Choosing an Allergy Medication: Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes
Allergy season sends millions of people to the pharmacy every year. How do you pick the best allergy medicine? Here are tips for using Flonase, Zyrtec, and more.
How Long Does It Take for Allergy Medicine to Work, and Should You Take It Every Day?
How long does it take for allergy medicine to work? See how often you should take your allergy medication and find out exactly how long it takes to work.
How to Stop Postnasal Drip: 7 Treatments to Consider
Postnasal drip can cause coughing, congestion, and more. Here’s how to stop postnasal drip with prescription and OTC medications, plus home remedies to try.
How Long Can You Take Oral Decongestants Like Sudafed?
Taking oral decongestants long term can increase your risk of side effects. Here’s what healthcare experts recommend for how long it’s safe to take decongestants.
10 Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Interactions You Should Know About
Here are the top pseudoephedrine interactions to avoid, including tricyclic antidepressants, some types of headache medications, and caffeine.
3 Medications That Can Dry Up Your Breast Milk Supply
What can cause your breast milk to dry up? Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), Clomid (clomiphene), and estrogen-containing birth control are all possible causes.
How Long Does Sudafed Stay in Your System? Plus, 7 More Sudafed FAQs
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), which can help treat a stuffy nose, may cause uncomfortable side effects. Here’s how long this decongestant stays in your system.
8 Types of Medications That Can Cause Constipation
Medications that are likely to cause constipation include opioids, antidepressants, antihistamines, and high blood pressure medications. Dietary changes and stool softeners can help bring some relief.
Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine) images
