Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is suitable for most adults and children aged 6 years old and over, but always check before taking it.

Fexofenadine is not suitable for some people. For example, check with your doctor if you have problems with your liver, kidneys or heart.

Fexofenadine comes as tablets that you usually take once a day, or twice in children under 12. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Common side effects of fexofenadine include feeling sick, feeling sleepy and headaches. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

It can cause problems to take fexofenadine with other medicines, such as medicines that cause drowsiness, a dry mouth or difficulty peeing.

Most adults and children aged 6 years old 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
• are due to have an allergy test as taking fexofenadine may affect the results, so you might need to stop taking it a few days before the test
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding

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, taken once a day for adults and children aged 12 years and over
• 30mg, taken 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.

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. Do not take your tablets with apple, orange or grapefruit juice as these can reduce how well the medicine works. Swallow them whole – do not chew them.

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

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

There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.

Do not drive, ride a bike or operate tools or machinery until you feel better, and fully alert and awake.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink alcohol. Take an everyday painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Talk to your doctor if they are severe or do not go away.

If fexofenadine makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, then get up slowly.

Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery. Speak to your doctor if the dizziness gets worse or does not go away.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

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.

You can take fexofenadine if you need to while you're breastfeeding. However, other antihistamines might be better. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, and they'll help you to decide.

There is very little information about taking fexofenadine while breastfeeding, but it shows that only tiny amounts get into breast milk.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual
• seems unusually sleepy or irritable.

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

Some medicines can affect how fexofenadine works or can increase the chances of you having side effects.

Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking any other medicines, including:

• leflunomide, to treat arthritis
• velpatasvir, to treat hepatitis C infection
• teriflunomide, to treat multiple sclerosis
• indigestion remedies containing aluminium or magnesium – leave about 2 hours between taking fexofenadine and taking your indigestion remedy
• apalutamide, to treat prostate 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

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with fexofenadine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Taking fexofenadine with painkillers

You can take fexofenadine together with painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.