Side Effects Of Allegra You Should Know Before Taking

For some, allergy medications are an absolute necessity for managing all that our environment throws at us. Seasonal allergies can be severe enough that medication is needed, and Allegra is a commonly used drug for the treatment of symptoms, but what are the side effects?

First, it's important to understand how allergies work. When your body develops an allergy, it interprets a harmless substance (like tree pollen particles) as dangerous and mistakenly attacks them with antibodies (via the Mayo Clinic). These antibodies prompt the body to release histamines when the body is exposed to these substances again, which cause symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes, and coughing. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 7.7% of adults and 7.2% of children were diagnosed with seasonal allergies in 2018.

It's important to understand how Allegra helps treat these seasonal allergies. Fexofenadine, its generic name, is an antihistamine, meaning it prompts the body to block the overreacting histamines in the body (via the Cleveland Clinic). This blocking of histamines in the body lessens the allergic reaction and limits symptoms.

While Allegra is similar to Benadryl, it doesn't typically cause drowsiness. However, there are some other common and rare side effects to be aware of before taking it. Some examples of typical, mild side effects include nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle or back pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps (via RxList). While these are pretty common, there are also more serious potential side effects, like fever, chills, body aches, cough, and other flu symptoms. Additionally, there are some rare side effects to watch out for as well, like chest tightness; a feeling of warmth and redness of the face, neck, arms and upper chest; large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs; and shortness of breath or difficult breathing (via Drugs.com). If you experience any of these, you should consult your doctor immediately.

There are also possible drug interactions and existing health complications to be aware of. According to Healthline, Allegra can interact with ketoconazole (a drug used to treat yeast and fungal infections), erythromycin (an antibiotic), and antacids. It's also not a good treatment choice if you have kidney disease or phenylketonuria, a genetic condition.