Key takeaways:
Allegra (fexofenadine) is an over-the-counter antihistamine. In general, most antihistamines are considered safe to take during pregnancy. But it’s best to check with your prenatal care team first.
Allegra has less pregnancy safety information available than other antihistamines. Because of this, some healthcare professionals recommend trying other treatments first out of caution.
So far, studies haven’t found any links between Allegra and problems during pregnancy. More data is needed, but this suggests that Allegra might be a safe option if you can’t use other allergy treatments.
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So, you’re expecting a bundle of joy. But maybe you weren’t expecting the bundle of tissues currently wadded in your hand. Achoo!
Allergies during pregnancy are not only a bummer, they’re also pretty common. And as many as 15% of women will take an antihistamine during pregnancy. But with so many options to choose from, which allergy treatments are safe if you’re pregnant?
Allegra (fexofenadine) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication. But it’s usually not a first choice during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know about Allegra and pregnancy.
What is Allegra?
Allegra is an antihistamine. It works by blocking histamine, a chemical your body releases in response to allergens like dust or pollen. Allegra helps relieve typical allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
Allegra is considered a non-drowsy antihistamine, since it doesn’t typically make you sleepy. In fact, Allegra causes the least amount of drowsiness compared to other OTC antihistamines. But there are some things to consider before taking it during pregnancy.
Is Allegra safe to take during pregnancy?
It’s best to talk to a healthcare professional before taking Allegra during pregnancy. Allegra is a newer medication compared to other antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (loratadine). So there’s less information about its safety during pregnancy. Because of this, many experts recommend using other allergy treatments with more data.
What are the risks of taking Allegra during pregnancy?
So far, studies haven’t shown that Allegra causes any risks to a developing fetus. But keep in mind that there aren’t many studies looking at this. One large study with over 1 million pregnancies didn’t find any links between Allegra and problems during pregnancy. This study suggests that Allegra may be a safe choice when other antihistamines can’t be used.
Does Allegra affect fertility?
Animal studies suggest that Allegra is unlikely to affect fertility (your ability to become pregnant). But no studies have looked at this in humans taking Allegra.
If you’re having trouble becoming pregnant, talk to your reproductive care team. They can advise you or your partner on how to increase the chances of pregnancy and whether fertility treatments may be necessary.
What other allergy medications can you take during pregnancy instead of Allegra?
The good news is that you don’t have to suffer from allergy symptoms while pregnant. Several OTC allergy medications are considered safe during pregnancy. But it’s still important to talk to a healthcare professional before trying any allergy medication, including these Allegra alternatives.
What is the safest OTC allergy medicine to take while pregnant?
Older (drowsy) antihistamines have been well studied during pregnancy. Experts sometimes recommend trying this type of allergy medication first. Among these, chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor) and Benadryl are considered safe options.
But even though older antihistamines have the most safety data, they cause more side effects. So they’re often not a practical choice because of drowsiness and dizziness. Luckily, some newer (non-drowsy) antihistamines are also considered safe during pregnancy. Non-drowsy options with the most safety data include Claritin and Zyrtec (cetirizine).
Reviewing your options: Read about the allergy treatments that are safe to take if you’re pregnant.
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More than medication: Three people share the daily lifestyle changes that reduced their allergy symptoms.
If you want to avoid antihistamines altogether, consider allergy nasal sprays. Most corticosteroid nasal sprays, such as Rhinocort (budesonide) and Flonase Sensimist (fluticasone furoate), are safe during pregnancy. And they also work better for many people with allergies than antihistamines. Just avoid Nasacort (triamcinolone). One study linked this nasal spray to certain birth defects.
Can you use decongestants during pregnancy?
No. You shouldn’t use decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or oxymetazoline (Afrin), during pregnancy unless your prenatal care team tells you to. Decongestants don’t have much data showing that they’re safe during pregnancy. And some studies have linked them to birth defects.
Be aware that antihistamines are sometimes combined with oral decongestants. If a healthcare professional has given you the OK to take an antihistamine, read the OTC label. Be sure that only an antihistamine is listed. Avoid products with “D” in their name, such as Zyrtec-D (cetirizine / pseudoephedrine). The “D” stands for decongestant, and these products contain pseudoephedrine.
Are there other tips for managing allergies during pregnancy?
Want to avoid taking medication altogether? These tips can help you manage allergies naturally:
Avoid allergy triggers if possible. For example, wear a mask outside when pollen levels are high. Or steer clear of dusting unless absolutely needed.
Avoid being around smoke.
If you’ve been outside, take a shower and wash your hair as soon as you can after coming inside.
Try a saline nasal spray. This contains no medication and can help soothe irritated nasal passages.
Consider a saline rinse, such as a neti pot, to relieve nasal congestion.
Use a humidifier to soothe the nose and throat and help with symptoms like an itchy throat.
The bottom line
Allegra (fexofenadine) is a popular antihistamine used for allergies. But it might not be a first-choice medication if you’re pregnant. Other antihistamines have more evidence than Allegra for their safety during pregnancy.
So far, studies haven’t linked Allegra to any risks to a developing fetus. This suggests that Allegra might be a safe choice if other treatments aren’t an option. But don’t be surprised if your prenatal care team recommends an alternative allergy medication out of caution.
Why trust our experts?
References
Allergy & Asthma Network. (n.d.). Pregnancy and allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2018). Pregnancy and allergy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.). What medicine can I take for allergies while I'm pregnant?
American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). How to get pregnant – best tips to help you conceive.
Andersson, N. W., et al. (2020). Association between fexofenadine use during pregnancy and fetal outcomes. JAMA Pediatrics.
Bérard, A., et al. (2016). Intranasal triamcinolone use during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Hansen, C., et al. (2022). Use of antihistamine medications during early pregnancy and selected birth defects: The national birth defects prevention study, 1997–2011. Birth Defects Research.
Kar, S., et al. (2012). A review of antihistamines used during pregnancy. Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.
MotherToBaby. (2023). Fexofenadine (Allegra).
Servey, J., et al. (2014). Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy. American Family Physician.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). New Drug Application (NDA): 020872.
