Allegra Children's Suspension: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Allegra Children's Suspension contains fexofenadine, a second-generation H1 antihistamine, used to relieve allergy symptoms and skin rashes in children. It helps with sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and hives (urticaria). It is given as a liquid, measured with a dosing cup, and should be used exactly as directed by a doctor or on the label.

What is Allegra Children's Suspension

Allegra Children's Suspension is a liquid antihistamine medicine used to treat allergy symptoms and skin rashes in children. It contains fexofenadine hydrochloride.

Allegra Children's Suspension uses

• Relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy/watery eyes)
• Relief of symptoms of urticaria (hives, itching)
• Treats skin itching and hives caused by chronic idiopathic urticaria in children at least 6 months old
• Relieves seasonal and perennial allergy symptoms including runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat

Benefits of Allegra Children's Suspension

• Relieves sneezing and runny nose
• Reduces itching and watery eyes
• Helps control hives (urticaria)
• Non-sedating/less drowsy in most patients

How Allegra Children's Suspension works

This medicine blocks histamine, a natural substance your body releases during an allergic reaction. It mainly works outside the brain, which is why it causes less drowsiness than older allergy medicines.

Allegra Children's Suspension dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Ask a doctor before giving this liquid to a child younger than 2 years old.

Take this medicine only with water. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well before you measure a dose. Use the dosing cup provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device, not a kitchen spoon.

Can be taken with or without food; take it at the same time each day as prescribed. Avoid taking it with fruit juices such as apple, orange, or grapefruit close to the dose. Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before or after you take this medicine.

Call your doctor if symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed; do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral suspension (liquid) — 30 mg per 5 mL
• Tablet
• Orally disintegrating tablet

Side effects of Allegra Children's Suspension

Common

• Headache
• Back pain
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness (rare)
• Dry mouth

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, unusual tiredness)
• New or worsening cough
• Pain
• Signs of an ear infection: fever, ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine with fruit juice such as apple, orange, or grapefruit juice.
• This medicine may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Use with caution in severe kidney impairment, as a dose adjustment may be needed.
• This medicine is not for use during an acute severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. If you are 65 or older, ask a doctor before taking it.
• Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have kidney disease. Use with caution if you have liver disease; your doctor may adjust the dose or monitor your liver function. Use alcohol with caution while taking this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness or affect your concentration; do not drive until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store in its original package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat
• Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze
• Store below 25°C, protected from light and moisture
• Keep bottle tightly closed; do not freeze
• Keep out of reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have flu-like symptoms, a new or worsening cough, pain, or signs of an ear infection.
• Call your doctor if symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Alternatives

• Cetirizine
• Loratadine
• Levocetirizine
• Fexofenadine tablets for appropriate ages