Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is an antihistamine, a group of medicines typically used to treat allergies like hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Taken daily, Fexofenadine reduces allergic reactions to things like pollen or dust.

The 120 mg dose is usually given for hay fever, while Fexofenadine 180 mg is prescribed for symptoms of long term allergic skin reactions.

At 121doc, we offer 120 mg Fexofenadine tablets for hay fever with a prescription included after a short online consultation.

Fexofenadine works by binding to histamine receptors (H₁ receptors) to prevent the chemical histamine from causing allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. In people with hay fever, the immune system overreacts to pollen, especially during warmer months when pollen counts are high. This leads to more histamine being produced by the body, causing symptoms of hay fever to occur.

By blocking histamine from attaching to H₁ receptors, Fexofenadine prevents your immune system from overreacting to pollen, reducing symptoms and easing discomfort.

Fexofenadine is highly effective as a treatment for hay fever. In one meta analysis involving 12 studies, Fexofenadine delivered significantly greater relief to allergy symptoms compared to a placebo, and was especially effective early in the morning, when hay fever symptoms are often at their worst.

The results also found that Fexofenadine was generally well-tolerated by patients, offering symptom relief without making patients drowsy, and rarely causing other side effects.

Fexofenadine starts working within 1-2 hours after you take it, and lasts for around 24 hours. When taken daily this offers around-the-clock relief from hay fever, so long as you take it at the same time every day. While most often taken seasonally, you can take Fexofenadine for as long as needed to control your allergies, provided your doctor has told you this is okay.

To be prescribed Fexofenadine or the branded version Telfast from 121doc, you must be over 18 years old and experiencing symptoms of hay fever.

Do not take Fexofenadine if you are:

• allergic to fexofenadine hydrochloride or any other ingredient in this medicine
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

In addition to this, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking Fexofenadine if you have problems with your liver or kidneys, or you have ever had heart disease. Your doctor will have to determine the safety of treatment on a case-by-case basis.

While Fexofenadine can make you drowsy, it is far less likely to have this effect than older hay fever medicines. Fexofenadine (Telfast) is a second-generation antihistamine, a newer type of hay fever treatment that does not cross the brain barrier. This offers allergy control without the sedating effect felt with first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl.

While Fexofenadine is less likely to make you drowsy than other antihistamines, drowsiness is still listed as a common side effect, meaning it affects up to 1 in 10 people who take it. In addition to this, there are some more possible side effects you should be aware of.

The most common Fexofenadine side effects include:

• headache
• nausea (feeling sick)
• dizziness
• sleepiness

This is not an exhaustive list. For a full list of Fexofenadine side effects, consult the patient information leaflet.

The maximum dose of Fexofenadine is 180 mg per day. This means that the most you can take is 1 tablet per day, no matter which dose you are prescribed. This also applies to Telfast antihistamine tablets.

What should I do if I take too much Fexofenadine?

Taking two hay fever tablets in one day is unlikely to harm you, but it is still important to look out for signs of an overdose. Contact your GP or go to the nearest A&E if you experience headache, a fast heartbeat or drowsiness.

What if I forget to take it?

Missing your scheduled dose by a few hours is fine (if it’s on the same day), but if it’s close to your next dose, skip the missed tablet and take your next one at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

While unlikely to cause you harm, never take two Fexofenadine tablets unless explicitly instructed by your doctor. Even Fexofenadine 120 mg tablets. Taking too much can cause unpleasant side effects and is unlikely to offer additional hay fever relief.

Both Fexofenadine and Cetirizine are effective hay fever treatments, and one is not necessarily stronger than the other. They do, however, work a little differently, and this may influence your decision on which one to use. Fexofenadine is ideal for people who feel drowsy on antihistamines, as it is less likely to have this side effect, whereas Cetirizine is better suited for people who want quick relief, as it tends to work a little faster.

While not listed as a side effect, some scientists believe that antihistamines like Fexofenadine can cause weight gain. This is because of histamine’s effect on appetite and metabolism, as outlined in this study. According to the science, histamine might help slow down or reduce your body’s resistance to leptin (a hormone that controls appetite). Therefore, when histamine is blocked by antihistamines like Fexofenadine, you may find it affects your appetite as well as your hay fever symptoms. However, this has not been definitively proven, and weight differences between patients who take this treatment and those who don’t are negligible.

No, you should not take Fexofenadine when pregnant, unless a doctor deems it necessary. Research into the safety of treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding is limited. Therefore, doctors will generally advise a different treatment unless your symptoms are very severe.

You can use Fexofenadine with some other hay fever treatments, but not all. In general, using a hay fever nasal spray alongside an oral treatment like Fexofenadine is okay. However, using two different oral tablets is usually not safe, and may cause unwanted side effects and even risk an overdose. In any case, ask your doctor before taking two treatments together.

Yes, Fexofenadine is available over the counter, but only the 120 mg dose. The 180 mg dose is prescription-only, and usually only prescribed for hives or if symptoms are severe. Regardless, taking Fexofenadine or Telfast is best done under a doctor’s supervision to ensure safe treatment. Safety is our number one priority at 121doc, and our doctors will only initiate treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects

To see if you’re eligible for treatment, all you have to do is complete a short online consultation. If approved by our medical team, your treatment will be delivered direct to your door in discreet packaging.