Allegra captures strong sales

PARIS — Sanofi-Aventis on Thursday reported strong sales out of the gate for its recently switched second-generation antihistamine Allegra.

Allegra generated in excess of $26.7 million within its first month available as a nonprescription allergy treatment in the U.S. market, becoming No. 2 in terms of dollar share of allergy, the company reported.

First-quarter sales of Sanofi’s Consumer Health Care totaled $1.1 billion, representing an increase of 40.3%.