This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Dosage and how to take fexofenadine
Dosage and strength
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.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 ↗. MyPHU is independent and is not endorsed by the NHS.