Fexofenadine (Telfast)

Fexofenadine belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines, which are often used to relieve symptoms of allergies. It is commonly sold under the brand names Telfast and Allevia.

However, buying generic Fexofenadine is cheaper than buying a brand name, even though both medicines are identical.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride (the active ingredient) can be prescribed to patients with hay fever (allergic rhinitis) to relieve the following common symptoms:

• sneezing
• a runny nose
• an itchy nose
• teary or watery eyes
• flushing

Hay fever is caused by outdoor allergens including pollen, but you may experience similar symptoms from dust or animal dander.

Fexofenadine can also be prescribed for the treatment of chronic hives (a raised, itchy rash that normally occurs as the result of an allergic reaction).

It is also classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, meaning that it’s less likely to make you feel sleepy compared to other types of antihistamines.

Fexofenadine works by blocking the effects of histamine in the body.

Histamine naturally occurs in the body and is also found in many of the foods we eat. When the body detects a foreign substance which is seen as a threat (like pollen or dust), the immune system releases histamine as a defence mechanism.

This release of histamine causes your cells to expand and swell to protect themselves. However, this swelling also causes inflammation which leads to congestion and other hay fever symptoms.

By stopping the effects of histamine, Fexofenadine can reduce and relieve unpleasant symptoms caused by pollen or other allergens.

How effective is it?

A published evaluation assessed 8 different studies on Fexofenadine. Out of 3678 patients who suffered from hay fever symptoms, 1910 received treatment with Fexofenadine and 1777 received a placebo drug.

The results found that the group taking Fexofenadine showed a significant reduction in symptoms compared with the group taking the placebo.

In this review, Fexofenadine was also reported to be well-tolerated; in most patients, it did not cause drowsiness or sleepiness.

You should always take medication as per your doctor’s instructions. However, a guide to taking Fexofenadine for hay fever is written below.

The recommended dose for hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is one 120 mg (or 180 mg) tablet every 24 hours. The tablet should be swallowed whole with water and can be taken before or after a meal.

Do not take more than the recommended dose as it will not further improve your symptoms. Taking more Fexofenadine than you should may result in:

• dizziness
• feeling drowsy
• feeling tired
• a dry mouth

Unless your doctor has advised you, do not combine Fexofenadine with any other kinds of antihistamine.

Dosages

Fexofenadine tablets are available in two different doses:

• 120 mg
• 180 mg

For the treatment of hay fever, the recommended dose is one 120 mg tablet per day. However, a doctor may prescribe a higher dose if your symptoms are moderate to severe.

Before taking this hay fever medication, it’s best to consult with a doctor or online health professional. They can gain an understanding of your medical history and prescribe Fexofenadine if it’s safe to do so.

Fexofenadine should be taken with caution if:

• you are elderly
• you have kidney and liver problems
• you have a history of ongoing heart disease

You should not take Fexofenadine if you are planning to have an allergy test. If you are already taking it, wait 3 days after stopping this medication before getting tested.

Other medicines

Before starting a new medicine, you must tell your doctor about any other medication you are currently taking.

The following medicines should not be taken alongside Fexofenadine as it can worsen the potential side effects:

• an antibiotic called Erythromycin
• a medicine used to treat fungal infections called Ketoconazole
• medications for HIV including Lopinavir and Ritonavir

Some indigestion or heartburn medicines (containing aluminium or magnesium) can affect the way your body absorbs Fexofenadine.

It is recommended that you leave 2 hours in between taking Fexofenadine and indigestion remedies.

Just like any medicine, there’s a chance you’ll experience side effects while taking Fexofenadine. While it’s normal to experience them, not everyone gets them.

Common side effects (which may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

Less common side effects (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

If you are worried about any side effects during your treatment with Fexofenadine, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

Fexofenadine works very similarly to other antihistamines including Levocetirizine and Desloraditine. However, some of their differences can be found in the following comparison table:

Yes, you can buy Fexofenadine allergy tablets online for the treatment of hay fever.

Simply fill out the online questionnaire to complete your consultation. Your answers will then be reviewed by one of our registered doctors who will prescribe you Fexofenadine if it is safe to do so.

Once approved, your treatment will be sent straight to your door with free next-day delivery.