Question:
Can I take Allegra?

I am 12 days postop RNY, and I would like to know if it's okay for me to take my Allegra. They are capsules so I feel like they would dissolve rather quickly in my pouch and not cause any problems with being stuck or anything. Anyone have any feedback on this?    — Billie H. (posted on February 25, 2002)

February 25, 2002
Billie, I would definitely check with your surgeon but I was taking Allegra before surgery and in the hospital they gave me Zyrtec (sp??) through IV. When I got out of the hospital I had a hard time breaking up the Allegra and it seemed to big so I called my PCP and had her call in a prescription for Zyrtec (much smaller pills) which I have taken ever since. I am 9 months post op. Good luck.
   — Karen Q.

February 25, 2002
I too take Zyrtec and it is great! My allergies are under control and like that last poster said the pill is very small and easy to swallow. I would switch if the doctor lets you. Pills are hard to swallow soif there small like Zyrtec it is so much easier!
   — Nicole F.

February 25, 2002
I took them for years without any problem. Most caps dissolve in saliva in less than 5 minutes, so by the time they hit the stoma, they are at least sorta melty, if not completely dissolved.
   — vitalady

February 25, 2002
Have you taken Allegra before? If not BE CAREFUL! I got terrible cramps while on my peroid, and ungodly stomach pains the rest of the time. I suggest a nose inhalor if you get any kind of side affects...
   — [Anonymous]

February 25, 2002
I've been taking Allegra since early post-op, and I've had no problems with it at all. However, my doc recently switched me to Zyrtec, a MUCH smaller tablet. Zyrtec is stronger and seems to work better for my allergies too.
   — Maria H.