Differences between Allegra and Equate Allergy Relief

Allegra vs. Equate Allergy Relief

Allegra is the brand name for an over-the-counter antihistamine medication used to treat allergy symptoms. Equate Allergy Relief is a store-brand generic equivalent, primarily sold by Walmart. Both medications use the same active ingredient, fexofenadine hydrochloride, to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes caused by hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that generic drugs must contain the same active ingredient, dosage, strength, and route of administration as their brand-name counterparts. Consequently, Equate Allergy Relief provides the same therapeutic effect as Allegra. The primary differences between the two products are cost, manufacturer, and inactive ingredients. As a store brand, Equate is typically priced lower than Allegra.

Comparison Table

Category	Allegra	Equate Allergy Relief
Brand Type	Brand Name	Store Brand (Generic)
Manufacturer	Sanofi	Perrigo Company plc (for Walmart)
Active Ingredient	Fexofenadine Hydrochloride	Fexofenadine Hydrochloride
FDA Regulation	Approved as a brand-name drug	Must be bioequivalent to the brand-name drug
Cost	Generally higher	Generally lower
Inactive Ingredients	May differ from generic versions	May differ from brand-name version
Available Forms	Tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, liquid suspension	Tablets

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Allegra and Equate Allergy Relief

Efficacy and Regulation

For a generic drug to be approved, the FDA requires that it is bioequivalent to the brand-name product. This means it works in the same way and provides the same clinical benefits and risks. Studies and regulatory standards ensure that the effectiveness of the active ingredient in Equate's fexofenadine is the same as in Allegra. Fexofenadine is classified as a second-generation antihistamine, meaning it is less likely to cause drowsiness compared to older, first-generation antihistamines.

While both products have the same active ingredient, the inactive ingredients, such as fillers, binders, and coloring agents, can be different. These differences do not affect the drug's therapeutic action but are the primary reason the tablets may differ in size, shape, or color. In rare cases, individuals may have a sensitivity to a specific inactive ingredient present in either the brand-name or generic version.