Health and Medical For Day

In 1996, the U.S. market saw the launch of the first representative of the third-generation antihistamines named Allegra (fexofenadine), which is the original drug of Aventis Pharma. In 2000, sales of Allegra amounted to 1.166 billion Euro around the world. Allegra is now present in major pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

Allegra is a drug based on the active carboxylated metabolite of terfenadine. It was registered in the US after a clinical trial, which lasted only about 2 years (from the beginning of the study and before submitting an application for registration).

Allegra does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier and therefore does not have a sedative effect. Unlike the antihistamine drugs of first and second generation, Allegra may be taken by patients whose work requires more attention (drivers, operators of complex machinery, etc.). Moreover, in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and Brazil, Allegra is officially allowed to be taken even by pilots.

In clinical trials, the frequency of side effects (headache, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue) in administration of Allegra was similar to that of placebo. Recently, the University of Oklahoma (USA) completed a clinical trial, which results show the complete safety of fexofenadine in children.

Allegra is available in the form of coated tablets containing 120 and 180 mg of fexofenadine. The only contraindication to its administration is hypersensitivity to the drug’s components.

Thus, to replace the antihistamines of the first and second generation, which lead to formation of selective H1-receptor antagonists and several other by-products, Allegra (Aventis Pharma), the third generation antihistamine drug has come. Now Allegra is the most effective anti-allergic drug that does not have a sedative, cardiotoxic and other side effects even when taken in high doses. Since fexofenadine is received by the body in the ready-to bind to H1-receptor form, its effect when taken orally appears right after the drug’s absorption into the blood. Allegra is easy and safe to use, has a prolonged action, and due to that can be given at a dose of 120 or 180 mg once a day.