Flonase vs. Allegra

• Are Flonase and Allegra the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flonase?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Allegra?
• What Is Flonase?
• What Is Allegra?
• What Drugs Interact with Flonase?
• What Drugs Interact with Allegra?
• How Should Flonase Be Taken?
• How Should Allegra Be Taken?

Flonase (fluticasone) and Allegra (fexofenadine hydrochloride) are used to treat allergic symptoms allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes).

Allegra is also used to treat allergic symptoms such as hives.

Allegra and Flonase belong to different drug classes. Allegra is an antihistamine and Flonase is a corticosteroid.

A difference is Allegra is an oral medication and Flonase is a nasal spray.

Common side effects of Flonase include:

• headache,
• back pain,
• sore throat,
• sneezing,
• cough,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• menstrual problems,
• loss of interest in sex,
• nosebleeds,
• sinus pain, and
• sores or white patches inside mouth or around your nose.

Common side effects of Allegra include:

• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• upset stomach,
• muscle or back discomfort or pain,
• sleepiness,
• drowsiness,
• tiredness,
• headache, and
• menstrual cramps.

Contact your doctor if you have serious but less common side effects of Allegra including

• allergic reactions,
• fever,
• chills,
• body aches,
• cough, or
• other flu symptoms.

Flonase (fluticasone) is a synthetic steroid of the glucocorticoid family of drugs and is prescribed for the control of symptoms of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.

Allegra (fexofenadine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine used to treat allergic symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes), and urticaria (hives). Allegra is available as a generic drug.

Drug interactions and warnings include Norvir (ritonavir) and Nizoral (ketoconazole). Taking either one of these drugs with Flonase may increase the blood concentrations of Flonase and potentially increase its side effects.

This medication may interact with other drugs.

The recommended starting dosage of Flonase in adults is 2 sprays (50 mcg of fluticasone propionate each) in each nostril once daily (total daily dose, 200 mcg).

Allegra is available in several strengths and forms; as tablets in strengths of 30, 60 and 180 mg, as 30 mg fast orally disintegrating tablets (available in foil blister packs and labeled "ODT"; the drug should not be touched by skin as it may begin to dissolve and reduce the oral dose) and as an oral suspension of 30mg per 5 ml. The dosage is dependent on the age, weight and effectiveness of the drug; special care should be taken when prescribing this drug to infants and children to make sure the recommended dosage is given.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Allegra; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Allegra passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Note that the Allegra ODT tablets (orally disintegrating tablets) contain 5.3 mg of phenylalanine and should not be used by individuals with phenylketonuria.