Allegra is an oral antihistamine intended to treat symptoms associated with seasonal allergies (hay fever) in patients older than 12. If you experience seasonal allergies, your body releases an excessive amount of histamine in response to allergens, such as dust or pollen. Antihistamines act by preventing this excess histamine from binding its target within the body, thereby limiting the body's reaction to allergens. Allegra is marketed by Sanofi-aventis and is available in four formulations: Allegra 60 mg, Allegra 180 mg, Allegra-D 12 Hour and Allegra-D 24 Hour.
Flu or Cold Symptoms
According to the Allegra product website, individuals who take Allegra may experience side effects such as flu or cold symptoms. Such symptoms may include nausea or vomiting. Body aches--especially back aches--have been reported.
Additional side effects may include fever, headache or sinusitis, a medical condition that results from inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages. Certain people may also experience pain in the extremities, such as the arms or legs. Women who take Allegra may experience painful menstrual cramping.
Be sure to discuss any side effects you experience while taking Allegra with your medical care provider.
Dizziness
A study in the Allegra prescribing label provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that 2.1 percent of patients receiving twice-daily Allegra experienced dizziness. Certain individuals taking Allegra may also feel lightheaded or as if the room is spinning.
If you experience these side effects, consider sitting down until the symptoms subside to ensure that you do not sustain injuries from falling. If these side effects persist, discuss them with your primary care provider.
Sleep Disturbances
Individuals who take Allegra may experience sleep disturbances. According to the FDA, drowsiness is a common side effect from any formulation of Allegra. Individuals who take Allegra-D, which contains the decongestant pseudoephedrine, may experience more significant drowsiness or fatigue than patients taking Allegra 60 mg or 180 mg. Insomnia may also occur. Such sleep disturbances may interfere with the ability to perform normal tasks, such as driving a car. If these symptoms persist or significantly interfere with your normal daily activities, speak with your physician for additional care.
Allergic Reaction
Some people who take Allegra may develop an allergic reaction to the medication. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include hives or severe difficulty breathing. If you are allergic to Allegra, you may also develop swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face, which may cause breathing problems. Skin symptoms, including itching or rash, may also occur, according to the FDA. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking Allegra, seek emergency medical care immediately.
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