BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. regulators have approved has Allegra medications for over-the-counter use in adults and children age 2 and older, the drug's maker says.
Sanofi-aventis U.S., and its U.S. Consumer Healthcare Division, Chattem Inc., says the Allegra family of OTC products will be available without a prescription for allergy sufferers in stores nationwide, following Food and Drug Administration approval. The products to be made available include Allegra 24-Hour and 12-Hour Tablets for adults and children 12 and older; Children's Allegra 12-Hour Tablets for age 6 and older, and Liquid for use in children age 2 and older; Children's Allegra 12-Hour Orally Disintegrating Tablets for use in children age 6 and older; and Allegra-D 24-Hour and 12-Hour Allergy and Congestion Extended Release Tablets, with a decongestant, for use in children age 12 and older.
Allegra and Allegra-D will be available in March in their original prescription strengths without a prescription, company officials say.
"As an allergist, I'm often addressing my patients' concerns about treating their allergy symptoms with a medicine that can relieve their symptoms quickly and doesn't make them tired or groggy," Dr. Eli Meltzer, co-director Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego, said. "The availability of the Allegra family of products over the counter will provide my patients with the same effective relief they've received from prescription Allegra for many years, now without a prescription."
