Experiences with
Fexofenadine

About fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medicine that helps with the symptoms of allergies.

It's used to treat:

hay fever
conjunctivitis (red, itchy eye)
eczema
hives (urticaria)
reactions to insect bites and stings
some food allergies

Fexofenadine is known as a non-drowsy antihistamine. It's less likely to make you feel sleepy than some other antihistamines.

Fexofenadine comes as tablets.

It is available on prescription but you can also buy 120mg tablets from pharmacies and supermarkets. You can buy 180mg tablets for treating hives from pharmacies, or get them on prescription. Fexofenadine 30mg tablets for children are available on prescription only.

Who can and cannot take fexofenadine

Adults and children aged 6 years and over can take fexofenadine tablets.

Fexofenadine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking fexofenadine if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to fexofenadine or any other medicine
have problems with your liver or kidneys
have, or have ever had, heart problems
have epilepsy or another health condition that puts you at risk of seizures or fits
are due to have an allergy test – taking fexofenadine may affect the results, so you might need to stop taking it a few days before the test

How and when to take fexofenadine

If you or your child have been prescribed fexofenadine, follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.

Dosage

Fexofenadine comes as tablets in different strengths: 30mg, 120mg and 180mg.

How much you take depends on why you're taking it.

The usual dose for treating hay fever is:

120mg once a day for adults and children aged 12 years and over
30mg twice a day for children aged 6 to 11 years, with the doses spaced 10 to 12 hours apart

The usual dose for treating hives is 180mg once a day for adults and children aged 12 years and over.

Fexofenadine is not recommended for treating hives in children under 12.

How to take it

If you're taking 30mg fexofenadine tablets, you can take them with or without food.

If you're taking 120mg or 180mg fexofenadine tablets, take them before a meal.

Always take your fexofenadine tablets with a drink of water. Swallow them whole – do not chew them.

When to take it

Try to take fexofenadine tablets at about the same time every day. Choose a time that is easy to remember.

You may only need to take fexofenadine on a day you have symptoms, such as when you've been exposed to something you're allergic to, like animal hair.

Or you may need to take it regularly to prevent symptoms, such as to stop hay fever during spring and summer.

What if I forget to take it?

If you're taking fexofenadine once a day, take your forgotten dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you forget to give a dose to a child who is taking fexofenadine twice a day, you can give the dose if it's within 4 hours of when they should have had it.

If you remember more than 4 hours after, do not give the missed dose. Instead, wait until the next dose and carry on as normal.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

Fexofenadine is generally very safe. Taking more than your usual dose is unlikely to harm you.

If you take an extra dose, you might get some of the common side effects. If this happens or you're concerned, contact your doctor.

Side effects

Like all medicines, fexofenadine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of fexofenadine happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

feeling sick (nausea)
feeling sleepy
headaches
dry mouth
feeling dizzy

Serious side effects

It's rare to have a serious side effect with fexofenadine.

you get a fast or irregular heartbeat

In rare cases, fexofenadine may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

OLD Meds - Serious allergic reaction immediate care card (standard)

These are not all the side effects of fexofenadine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

How to cope with side effects of fexofenadine

What to do about:

feeling sick – stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.
feeling sleepy – try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.
headache – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink alcohol. Take an everyday painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
dry mouth – chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets
feeling dizzy – lie down until you do not feel dizzy anymore, then get up slowly. Move slowly and carefully. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and recreational drugs. If the dizzy feeling does not get better within a couple of days, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Fexofenadine is not usually recommended if you're pregnant as there is not a lot of information about its use in pregnancy.

Other antihistamines may be more suitable as better safety information is available.

If you think that you need to take fexofenadine in pregnancy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist who will help you decide, or who may recommend other medicines for you.

Fexofenadine and breastfeeding

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take fexofenadine while breastfeeding.

There is very little information available, but it shows that only tiny amounts get into breast milk. It is unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, as other antihistamines called loratadine and cetirizine might be better while you're breastfeeding.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, or seems irritable, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

OLD Meds - Pregnancy non-urgent care card

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines and fexofenadine can affect each other and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking:

ketoconazole, a medicine to treat fungal infections
dronedarone, a medicine used in people who have had cardioversion to control their heart rate
erythromycin, an antibiotic
filgotinib or leflunomide, medicines to treat arthritis
letermovir, a medicine used in people who have had a stem cell transplant
pibrentasvir or velpatasvir, medicines to treat hepatitis C infection
rifampicin, an antibiotic
teriflunomide, a medicine to treat multiple sclerosis
indigestion remedies containing aluminium or magnesium – leave about 2 hours between taking fexofenadine and taking your indigestion remedy
medicines to treat cancer
any medicine that makes you drowsy, gives you a dry mouth, or makes it difficult for you to pee – taking fexofenadine might make these side effects worse

Mixing fexofenadine with herbal remedies and supplements

There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with fexofendadine. There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements with it, especially ones that cause sleepiness or a dry mouth, or make it difficult to pee.

Ask your pharmacist for advice.

OLD Meds - Cautions with other medicines alert