Allegra Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Allergies affect millions of U.S. adults and children every year. And many people end up going to their nearby pharmacy to find some relief. Allegra (fexofenadine) is a common over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine taken to treat and prevent allergies.

But how do you take it, and what dose is appropriate? Let’s discuss the typical Allegra dosages for adults and children.

What Allegra dosage forms are available?

Several Allegra dosage forms are available:

• Tablets

• Gelcaps

• Oral liquid

• Oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs)

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Allegra is readily available on pharmacy shelves. All dosage forms contain the antihistamine fexofenadine. But some Allegra products (the Allegra-D line) also include the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine, which must be bought at the pharmacy counter. Allegra-D products can be helpful if your allergy symptoms also include a stuffy nose.

Note: All Allegra products should be separated from green tea and fruit juice by at least 4 hours. These beverages prevent the body from fully absorbing Allegra, making it less effective.

What’s the typical Allegra dosage for adults?

Allegra is separated into 12-hour and 24-hour products. The specific dosage varies a little between products. But regardless of which version you choose, adults should take no more than 180 mg of fexofenadine in 24 hours.

Allegra 24 Hour

The adult Allegra 24 Hour dosage is 180 mg (1 pill) with water once a day. Don’t take more than 180 mg (1 pill) in 24 hours.

Allegra 24 Hour contains 180 mg of fexofenadine per dose and should last for 24 hours. It comes available as tablets and gelcaps.

There's also a version called Allegra Hives. It’s labeled to help relieve the itching caused by hives. The dosage for Allegra Hives is the same as regular Allegra 24 Hour products: take 180 mg (1 pill) with water once a day. Don’t take more than 180 mg (1 pill) in 24 hours.

Allegra Allergy 12 Hour

Allegra 12 Hour contains 60 mg of fexofenadine per dose. It comes available as tablets, an oral liquid, and ODTs. The oral liquid and ODTs are labeled as “children’s” products. But they provide adult dosages, too. They can be helpful if you have trouble swallowing pills.

The adult Allegra 12 Hour dosage is 60 mg (1 pill, 2 ODTs, or 10 mL) every 12 hours. Don’t take more than 120 mg in 24 hours.

The tablets should be taken with plenty of water, but can be taken with or without food. The liquid can be taken without regard to food or water. The ODTs should be taken on an empty stomach, but can be taken with or without water.

Allegra-D 24 Hour

Allegra-D 24 Hour is available as a tablet, and should last all day and night. Each tablet contains 180 mg of fexofenadine and 240 mg of pseudoephedrine.

The adult Allegra-D 24 Hour dosage is 1 tablet once a day on an empty stomach. Be sure to take your dose with plenty of water. Don’t cut, chew, or crush the tablets. Don’t take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours.

Allegra-D 12 Hour

Allegra-D 12 Hour is available as a tablet, and lasts about 12 hours. Each tablet contains 60 mg of fexofenadine and 120 mg of pseudoephedrine. If pseudoephedrine keeps you up at night, you can try taking just one dose of Allegra-D 12 Hour in the morning, since it should wear off before bedtime.

The adult Allegra-D 12 Hour dosage is 1 tablet every 12 hours on an empty stomach. Be sure to take your dose with plenty of water. Don’t cut, chew, or crush the tablets. Don’t take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.

What’s the typical Allegra dosage for children?

Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow the adult dosage instructions for all Allegra and Allegra-D products. Some Allegra products are safe for children as young as 2 years and older when taken appropriately.

Children’s Allegra 12 Hour ODTs

Children’s Allegra 12 Hour ODTs can be given to kids ages 6 years and older. Each tablet provides 30 mg of fexofenadine. Doses can be taken with or without water.

The children’s Allegra 12 Hour ODT dosage is as follows:

• Children 6 to 11 years of age: Dissolve 1 tablet (30 mg) in the mouth every 12 hours on an empty stomach. Don’t give more than 2 tablets (60 mg) in 24 hours.

• Children under 6 years of age: Do not give to this age group.

Children’s Allegra 12 Hour liquid

Children’s Allegra 12 Hour liquid can be given to children 2 years of age and older. There is 30 mg of fexofenadine in every 5 mL liquid. Shake the bottle well before measuring out a dose.

The children's Allegra Allergy 12 Hour liquid dosage is as follows:

• Children 2 to 11 years of age: Give 5 mL (30 mg) in the mouth every 12 hours. Don’t give more than 10 mL (60 mg) in 24 hours.

• Children under 2 years of age: Do not give to this age group.

Be sure to use a medication dosing cup, spoon, or syringe when measuring out a dose. Using household spoons may provide too much or too little medication. If you don’t have a dosing device, your pharmacist can provide you with one.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Allegra is safe for most people to take. But there are situations where you should check with a healthcare provider before taking it.

People with kidney problems

Talk to your healthcare provider about Allegra if you have kidney problems. Fexofenadine is cleared from the body by the kidneys. So if your kidneys aren’t working well, the medication can build up. This can raise your risk of side effects, like headaches.

The maximum daily Allegra dosage for people with kidney problems is:

• Adults and adolescents 12 years and older: Take no more than 60 mg of fexofenadine in 24 hours.

• Children ages 2 to 11 years old: Take no more than 30 mg of fexofenadine in 24 hours.

If you or your child is on dialysis, talk to a provider about whether Allegra would be OK to take. You should also ask what dosage is appropriate.

Pregnant women

Talk to your healthcare provider about which antihistamines and decongestants are considered safe to take during pregnancy. Research hasn’t shown any link between fexofenadine and birth defects. But most experts still don’t consider it a first choice due to lack of data. And the pseudoephedrine that’s in Allegra-D isn’t safe for all stages of pregnancy.

People with high blood pressure

Allegra products that only contain fexofenadine are safe to take if you have high blood pressure. But you should avoid Allegra-D. The pseudoephedrine in Allegra-D can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Discuss safer alternatives for congestion with your healthcare provider.

What happens if you miss a dose of Allegra?

If you miss a dose of Allegra, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed one. Never double up on missed doses to try to make up for them. This can raise the risk of side effects.

Allegra works best if you take it consistently. If you have trouble remembering your doses, there are plenty of tips to help. Things like medication organizers with alarms and medication reminder apps are two tools you may consider.

What should you do if you take too much Allegra?

Too much Allegra can be dangerous for some people. Taking too much can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation. This may be more of a concern if you’re taking other medications that raise the risk of this issue.

On its own, Allegra only seems to cause heart rhythm problems at extremely high doses. So taking an extra dose by accident is unlikely to harm most people. But if you’ve taken too much Allegra and are concerned, contact your healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How to save on Allegra

There are many ways to save on Allegra, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your healthcare provider write a prescription for OTC Allegra, GoodRx can help you save over 40% off the average retail price. Allegra's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $7.66 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Timothy Aungst, PharmD

Timothy Aungst, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy practice for the past decade with different roles and responsibilities. He has served as an associate professor of pharmacy practice for almost a decade, a clinical pharmacist in outpatient cardiology management, and now in home healthcare.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

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