Around 49% of people in the UK suffer from hay fever. So, it is no surprise that more and more people are looking for treatments to nip them in the bud. If you suffer from allergies, antihistamines can be a lifesaver. Fexofenadine is one of the most popular antihistamine medicines as it can help to relieve symptoms of common allergies like hay fever. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of the fexofenadine treatment.
What is Fexofenadine?
In simple terms, fexofenadine is an antihistamine medicine that is designed to relieve common allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. It does this by blocking the histamines that the body makes during an allergic reaction.
Unlike other antihistamines, it is non-drowsy. This means that you are less likely to feel sleepy. Generally, it is used to treat:
- Conjunctivitis
- Certain food allergies
- Eczema
- Hay fever
- Hives
- Reactions to stings and insect bites
Fexofenadine for Hay Fever
Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is one of the most common allergies. Hay fever occurs when the immune system overreacts to substances in the air, such as dust mites, pollens and mould. This results in the rapid release of histamines, faster than the body can get rid of, leading to unpleasant hay fever symptoms. In some cases, symptoms can be severe and make it difficult to go about day-to-day activities.
Thankfully, antihistamine treatments like fexofenadine block the effects of histamines, allowing hay fever sufferers to enjoy the outdoors again without experiencing discomfort. That is why fexofenadine may be prescribed to treat severe hay fever.
Who Can and Cannot Take Fexofenadine?
Generally, adults and children who are at least six years old are able to take fexofenadine tablets. However, before taking fexofenadine, it is important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it is safe for you to do so. After all, this treatment option is not suitable if you:
- Have medical problems with your kidneys or liver
- Are at risk of fits or seizures due to epilepsy or another health condition
- Are allergic to fexofenadine or any other medicine
- Previously or currently have heart problems
- Have an upcoming allergy test – This is because taking fexofenadine can affect the results
Similarly, the injection treatment option is not recommended if you:
- Have stomach ulcers
- Are diabetic
- Have osteoporosis
- Have epilepsy
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have hypertension
- Have glaucoma
- Have cardiovascular disease
- Have an active infection
How Should Fexofenadine be Used?
There are two different ways to take fexofenadine. If you are prescribed fexofenadine tablets, your doctor will determine the appropriate strength. Usually, the recommended dose for treating adults and children aged 12 years and older is 120mg of fexofenadine once a day. Tablets should always be swallowed with a drink of water before you eat.
Children aged 6 to 11 years, on the other hand, should take 30mg of fexofenadine twice a day. These doses need to be spaced 10 to 12 hours apart. Tablets can be taken with or without food. If your child is struggling to swallow the tablet, get them to practise with small sweets or bits of bread first. If you have any concerns about your child’s hay fever, it is also recommended to get them checked out by a GP.
If you are taking fexofenadine tablets to prevent hay fever symptoms, it is advisable to take them at around the same time every day. It is also worth setting a reminder on your phone so you do not miss your dose.
If you forget to take your tablets, there is no need to worry as you can take your forgotten dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the forgotten dose and take your next tablet at your usual time. It is crucial that you never take two tablets to make up for a forgotten dose.
If your child is taking fexofenadine twice a day but misses one of their doses, you can give them the missed dose if it is within 4 hours of the scheduled time. However, if you remember more than 4 hours after the scheduled time, do not give them the forgotten dose. Simply wait until their next scheduled dose.
Fexofenadine can also be administered through a Kenalog injection, which is a prescription-only medicine. The recommended dosage for hayfever steroids is typically 1 mg/kg, based on the patient’s body weight. It is administered via intramuscular injection into the muscle of the buttocks. Learn more about the hayfever steroid injection.
While taking more than your usual dose is unlikely to harm you, you may experience some side effects. In this case, it is best to contact your doctor at the earliest opportunity.
Side Effects
As is the case for most medicines, fexofenadine can cause side effects. Remember that the Kenalog injection is a prescription-only treatment option that should be treated as a last resort for severe hay fever sufferers. That is why it is important to book a consultation with a GP to establish whether this treatment option is suitable for you.
While many people do not experience any problems, it is important to be aware of the common side effects, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Feeling sleepy
- Headaches
- Increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Skin rashes
- Swelling
In rare cases, fexofenadine can lead to anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction. Signs of anaphylaxis to look out for include:
- Itchy skin
- Raised, red skin rashes
- Swollen eyes, lips, tongue, throat hands or feet
- Tightness in the throat or chest
- Trouble talking or breathing
- Wheezing
If you are experiencing a serious allergic reaction, go to A&E or call 999.
Coping with the Side Effects
If you are experiencing common side effects of fexofenadine, there is no need to worry. The good news is that there are things you can do to manage the side effects.
- If you are feeling sick, eat plain foods, such as bread, crackers and pasta and avoid eating rich or spicy foods
- If you are feeling drowsy, try another non-drowsy antihistamine medicine or speak to your doctor
- If you have a headache, drink plenty of fluids and rest. You can also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- If you have a dry mouth, try sucking on sugar-free sweets or chewing sugar-free gum
- If you are feeling dizzy, lie down and get up slowly when you no longer feel dizzy. Remember to take it steady and move slowly. If your dizziness does not go away, speak to your doctor
Special Consideration
While fexofenadine is usually very safe, there are some special considerations to keep in mind. This is because, like all medications, fexofenadine is not suitable for everyone.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, it is unlikely that a doctor will prescribe you fexofenadine. Instead, they will usually recommend other medications that may be more suitable for you.
Likewise, while it is unlikely that fexofenadine will cause any side effects in your baby, it is not always recommended for women who are breastfeeding. If your baby is healthy, a doctor may allow you to take fexofenadine whilst you are breastfeeding. In some cases, they may recommend other antihistamines, such as loratadine and cetirizine.
If you have any concerns about your baby’s health whilst taking fexofenadine, speak to your doctor, midwife or health visitor at the earliest opportunity.
Other Medicines
It is important to be cautious when taking fexofenadine with other medicines, as they can affect each other and increase the risk of side effects. It is advisable to speak to your GP if you are taking:
- Any medicine that gives you a dry mouth, makes it challenging to urinate or makes you feel sleepy
- Dronedarone
- Erythromycin
- Filgotinib
- Indigestion remedies containing magnesium or aluminium
- Ketoconazole
- Leflunomide
- Letermovir
- Medicines to treat cancer
- Pibrentasvir
- Rifampicin
- Teriflunomide
- Velpatasvir
Protect Yourself From Allergens with Midland Health
Our specialist GPs can help you determine whether this fexofenadine treatment is the right option for you. If fexofenadine is not right, we may recommend our Rhinolight hay fever treatments. If you are ready to take control of your hay fever symptoms, give us a ring on 0121 769 0999 or send an email to hello@midlandhealth.co.uk.