allegra

How long does Fexofenadine Hydrochloride stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of fexofenadine hydrochloride is about 14 hours (label: mean elimination half-life 14.4 hours) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the elimination half-life measured in healthy adults on 60 mg twice daily. Fexofenadine is barely metabolized — the label says only about 5% of the dose is cleared by hepatic metabolism — and the label describes no active metabolite that outlasts the parent, so the parent's half-life is the whole story. (Fexofenadine is not a prodrug; it is itself the active moiety.) It takes longer to clear with impaired kidneys: the label reports mean elimination half-life 59% longer in mild-to-moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 41-80 mL/min), 72% longer in severe impairment (11-40 mL/min), and 31% longer in people on dialysis (CrCl 10 mL/min or less). Liver impairment does not change it — the label says pharmacokinetics in hepatically impaired subjects "did not differ substantially" from healthy subjects. In adults 65 and older, the half-life is similar to younger adults, though peak plasma levels are about 99% higher. This is a plasma-clearance figure, not a drug-test detection window and not dosing guidance.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: FEXOFENADINE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet, film coated — DailyMed SPL, section 12.3 Pharmacokinetics.

Frequently asked questions

What does Allegra treat?

Allegra (Fexofenadine Hydrochloride) may be used to treat perennial allergic rhinitis, urticaria, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How does Allegra work?

Allegra is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist. H1 antihistamines work by blocking histamine, the chemical released during an allergic reaction, from attaching to H1 receptors. This prevents the sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and hives that histamine would otherwise trigger.

How much does Allegra cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $7.33 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.

Is there a coupon or discount for Allegra?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Allegra. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Allegra?

Allegra is marketed by Chattem Sanofi. You can see Chattem Sanofi's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Allegra a brand-name or generic drug?

Allegra is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Fexofenadine Hydrochloride. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Fexofenadine Hydrochloride are available — ask your pharmacist.

Is Allegra available over the counter?

No. Allegra is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Allegra come in?

Allegra is currently marketed as suspension and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Allegra?

Allegra is classified as histamine-1 receptor antagonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Allegra FDA-registered?

Allegra is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020625. You can verify this on its official FDA label.