Allegra-D is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals.
When you come in contact with something you're allergic to, a chain reaction begins inside your body. During this chain reaction, special cells release powerful chemicals. Some of these chemicals can trigger swelling of the nasal passages, leading to nasal congestion (a "stuffy nose"). Other chemicals, such as histamine, can cause sneezing, itching, and irritation.
Allegra-D is a combination medication consisting of
fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine. Fexofenadine (Allegra
®) is part of a class of drugs called antihistamines. As the name implies, Allegra blocks the effects of histamine. This leads to the relief of
allergy symptoms -- except for nasal congestion. Pseudoephedrine (the most common brand name being Sudafed
®) is a decongestant. It works by decreasing the swelling in the nasal passages, which improves the nasal congestion.
Prior to the Allegra-D's approval in the United States, one clinical study was conducted on 651 adults and adolescents. In this study, people taking Allegra-D had improved
allergy relief compared to the group of people not taking the medicine. This improvement was measured based on a symptom score that looked at changes in the following allergy symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose and/or throat
- Itchy, watery, and/or red eyes
- Nasal congestion.