Allergy Drug Gets FDA Approval

Allegra Approved by FDA

Commonly known by the brand name Allegra, an allergy medication called fexofenadine has been given approval for over-the-counter sales. The drug is currently marketed by Sanofi-Aventis which is a subsidiary of Chattem.

According to the Tennessee based company, the antihistamine drug will be sold in a tablet version for Adults (ages 12 and up), branded Allegra 24-hour and Allegra 12-hour. The version for children over the age of 6 but under the age of 12 will be available as both a liquid and in the form of disintegrating tablets. This version, however, will only be offered in a 12-hour dosage.

The FDA has given the drug approval, however, that does not mean that there is not a risk for side effects. In its testing and research, the manufacturer has disclosed that some adverse reactions to the medication included dysmenorrheal (pain associated with menstruation for women), headache, back pain, coughing, fever, pain, otitis media (an inflammation of the middle ear), and upper respiratory tract infection.