From the Guidelines
The standard starting dose for Allegra (fexofenadine) is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily for adults and children 12 years and older, as indicated in the practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of rhinitis 1. When considering the starting dose for Allegra, it's essential to take into account the patient's age and any potential kidney problems.
- For adults and children 12 years and older, the recommended dose is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily.
- For children 6-11 years old, the recommended dose is 30 mg twice daily.
- Children 2-5 years old should take 30 mg once daily, while those under 2 years should not take Allegra unless directed by a doctor. Allegra is an antihistamine that works by blocking histamine receptors, reducing allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose without causing significant drowsiness, as shown in the study 1. The medication typically starts working within 1-3 hours and can be taken with or without food, though fruit juices may decrease its effectiveness. Patients with kidney problems may need a reduced dose of 60 mg once daily, as their condition may affect the drug's metabolism and excretion, highlighting the importance of considering individual patient factors when determining the starting dose for Allegra 1. If you don't experience symptom relief after a few days of proper dosing, consult your healthcare provider to reassess your treatment plan and adjust the dose as needed.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Adults and Children 12 Years and OlderThe recommended dose of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Tablets is 60 mg twice daily, or 180 mg once daily with water. A dose of 60 mg once daily is recommended as the starting dose in patients with decreased renal function Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Adults and Children 12 Years and OlderThe recommended dose of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Tablets is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily with water. A dose of 60 mg once daily is recommended as the starting dose in patients with decreased renal function Children 6 to 11 YearsThe recommended dose of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Tablets is 30 mg twice daily with water. A dose of 30 mg once daily is recommended as the starting dose in pediatric patients with decreased renal function
The starting dose for Allegra (fexofenadine) is:
- 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily for adults and children 12 years and older with normal renal function.
- 60 mg once daily for adults and children 12 years and older with decreased renal function.
- 30 mg twice daily for children 6 to 11 years with normal renal function.
- 30 mg once daily for children 6 to 11 years with decreased renal function 2.
From the Research
Starting Dose for Allegra
The starting dose for Allegra, also known as fexofenadine, can be determined based on the provided evidence.
- The recommended dose of fexofenadine is 180 mg, as seen in the study 3 which compared the effects of desloratadine, fexofenadine, and levocetirizine on nasal adenosine monophosphate challenge in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
- Another study 4 also used a dose of 180 mg for fexofenadine in a comparison of levocetirizine with ebastine, fexofenadine, loratadine, mizolastine, and placebo.
- Additionally, a study 5 compared the efficacy of levocetirizine, desloratidine, and fexofenadine, but did not specify the dose of fexofenadine used.
- It is worth noting that the dose of fexofenadine may vary depending on the specific condition being treated, as seen in the study 6 which discussed the use of fexofenadine in the treatment of asthma.
- However, based on the provided evidence, the typical starting dose for Allegra is 180 mg, as used in studies 3 and 4.