Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medication commonly used to treat hay fever, a seasonal allergy that affects millions of people worldwide. In this guide, we’ll be answering common questions we are regularly asked about fexofenadine, providing comprehensive information on the medication along with advice and our best recommendations on when to take it.
Introduction
This medication guide will detail all you need to know about the allergy medication fexofenadine. By reading this guide, you will learn about what it’s used for, how to take it, and whether it’s suitable for you. This guide will cover the following:
- What is fexofenadine?
- What is fexofenadine used for?
- How to take fexofenadine
- How long can you take fexofenadine?
- Is fexofenadine safe?
- Potential side effects
- Contraindications
- Can you buy fexofenadine over the counter?
- Buy fexofenadine at Pharmacy Prime
What is fexofenadine?
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medication that helps to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever, such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the immune system during an allergic reaction, which causes inflammation and irritation in the body.
Fexofenadine works by blocking the H1 receptor sites in the body, which are responsible for the allergic response. By blocking the H1 receptor sites, fexofenadine prevents histamine from attaching to the cells in the body and triggering an allergic reaction.
What is fexofenadine used for?
Fexofenadine is used to treat allergic rhinitis, which is a condition that causes the nose to be irritated by an allergy, such as animals or dust. A very common form of this is hay fever, whose symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and coughing due to a reaction to pollen from plants. Fexofenadine is therefore a highly useful medication for treating the symptoms of hay fever.
How to take fexofenadine
Fexofenadine is available in several forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquid. It is typically taken orally once or twice a day, depending on the strength and type of the medication. You should only take fexofenadine as instructed by the patient information leaflet or under your doctor's or pharmacist’s advice.
It is recommended to take fexofenadine with water. When taking it, you should avoid consuming fruit juices such as grapefruit, orange or apple juice, as they may interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and could increase the likelihood of side effects. Fexofenadine can be taken with or without food.
Dosage for 120mg
Fexofenadine is most commonly taken as a 120mg dose for adults and children aged over 12. The recommended dose of fexofenadine 120mg is one tablet daily. You should take the tablet with water before a meal. It should start to relieve your symptoms within 1 hour and last for 24 hours.
How long can you take fexofenadine?
Fexofenadine is generally safe to take over a long duration, though you should only take it when you need to. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you intend to take this drug regularly.
Is fexofenadine safe?
Fexofenadine is a safe and harmless medication. However, it should be noted that as with many medications, there is some risk of side effects and potential harm in certain groups of people, which we detail further below.
Potential side effects
Like all medications, fexofenadine has several side effects that could occur as a result of its use. The most common side effects include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
This list of side effects is not exhaustive. You should refer to the patient information leaflet included with the medication for further details and call 111 for a doctor’s advice if you experience any side effects mentioned.
If you experience any severe side effects or an allergic reaction, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
You should seek immediate medical attention by calling 999.
Contraindications
Fexofenadine is generally suitable for most adults. However, it should not be taken by those who:
- Are allergic to fexofenadine or any of the medication’s ingredients
- Are under the age of six
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have severe kidney disease
- Have epilepsy or any other health conditions which could cause fits or seizures
If you intend to take fexofenadine and fall under any of these categories, you should first consult your doctor before doing so.
This list is not exhaustive. If you have any health conditions or are taking any medication that could potentially interfere with using fexofenadine, you should refer to a pharmacist’s or doctor’s advice before you do so.
Can you buy fexofenadine over the counter?
Fexofenadine is available both over the counter and by prescription. The over-the-counter version is typically available in lower doses than the prescription version. If you have severe hay fever or other allergy symptoms, you may be prescribed a higher dose of fexofenadine to help alleviate your symptoms.
Buy fexofenadine at Pharmacy Prime
If you are looking to use fexofenadine and know it is safe for you to do so, you can purchase hayfever tablets at Pharmacy Prime at competitive prices. You can buy fexofenadine from our online store in the following forms: