Fexofenadine is an antihistamine drug that comes in tablet form in 120mg and 180mg strengths. It’s used to treat the symptoms of allergies.

It can help relieve:

• hives (urticaria)
• runny nose
• hay fever
• eczema
• minor allergic reactions to bites and stings
• some food allergies

It’s available on prescription only in generic form, fexofenadine, and also sold under brand names, including Almerg, Telfast, and Treathay. Its active ingredient is fexofenadine hydrochloride. It’s classed as a non-drowsy (second-generation) antihistamine.

Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which is a chemical produced by your body during an allergic reaction. It does not stop allergies but reduces the severity of the symptoms they cause.

What are hives?

We offer fexofenadine to treat hives, otherwise known as urticaria, weals or welts. Hives are a very common condition that up to 20% of people will have at some point in their lives. They are triggered by high levels of histamine being released into the skin and causing the blood vessels to open and become leaky, causing itching and inflammation.

The raised rash can cover a very small or large (up to 20cm across) area of skin anywhere on the body. The rash is pink or red on white skin but can be harder to see on brown or black skin. Hives generally disappear on their own, but if the rash is uncomfortable or painful, fexofenadine will relieve the symptoms.

What causes hives?

There are many causes for the high histamine levels that cause hives, including:

• an allergic reaction to food, insect bite, sting or other trigger
• exposure to low or high temperatures
• an infection
• some medications

Sometimes there is no obvious cause for hives. Long-term urticaria can be caused by an immune system disorder.

Fexofenadine starts to work in 1-2 hours, becoming most effective at 2-3 hours. The effects last for 24 hours, but no trace of the drug remains after 48 hours. 

Fexofenadine has been shown to significantly relieve all symptoms of seasonal allergies, including nasal congestion.

It’s also regarded as being a very effective treatment for hives in those over 12 years old, with most patients reporting a reduction in the severity of their itching.

How much should I take?

The recommended dose for adults and children aged 12 years or over is one 180mg tablet a day.

When should I take it?

You should take the tablet with water before a meal, and they should be swallowed whole. It’s best to take your dose at the same time every day.

How long should I take fexofenadine for?

You might only need to take a tablet when your symptoms are particularly bad or if you know you might be exposed to something you’re allergic to. It’s considered safe to take long-term, but you should only take it for as long as you need to.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Take a tablet as soon as you can, but if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip it.

Can I buy fexofenadine online?

If you think you might need fexofenadine, you can order treatment online. You do not need to have had treatment before or have a diagnosis from a doctor – just follow the steps below:

1. Start an order by clicking on the ‘Start Order’ button above.
2. Complete a short online assessment by answering questions about your health and lifestyle.
3. A Superdrug doctor will check your answers and approve treatment if it’s right for you.

If the treatments we offer are not right for you, you’ll get a message from a Superdrug doctor explaining this and offering advice on what to do next.

Can I buy fexofenadine over the counter?

You can not buy fexofenadine over the counter as you need a prescription from a GP. With a prescription, you can buy it online or from your local pharmacy.

Can I get fexofenadine on the NHS?

Yes, fexofenadine is available on the NHS.

The most common side effect of fexofenadine is drowsiness (tiredness). However, this usually subsides after a few days of taking the medication. Other common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) can include:

• headache
• feeling sick (nausea)
• dizziness

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• tiredness
• sleepiness

Additional side effects (frequency not known: cannot be estimated from the available data) which may occur are:

• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• sleeping disorders
• bad dreams
• nervousness
• diarrhoea
• skin rash and itching
• hives

Call 111 if you experience a fast or irregular heartbeat. Stop taking fexofenadine immediately and call 999 or go to A&E if you experience swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, flushing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Are there any long-term side effects?

No long-term side effects of fexofenadine have been reported.

What to do if you get fexofenadine side effects

If you get side effects like headaches, you can take over the counter pain relief to manage them. If the side effects of Fexofenadine bother you or do not go away, speak to your GP or pharmacist, as an alternative treatment or dosage may be more suitable for you.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking fexofenadine tablets if you:

• have a history of kidney or liver problems
• have or have had heart disease
• are elderly

You should not take fexofenadine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and the tablets are not recommended during breastfeeding. Other antihistamines may be more suitable.

Are there any foods and drinks I should avoid when taking fexofenadine?

There are certain foods and drinks you should avoid while taking fexofenadine.

• Avoid alcohol, as it may make you sleepy
• Avoid grapefruit, apple, and orange juices as these make you more likely to get side effects

Are there any medications that interact with fexofenadine?

The following medicines can lower the effectiveness of fexofenadine or increase the chance of you having side effects. Speak to your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Apalutamide
• Berotralstat
• Betahistine
• Bulevirtide
• Cabazitaxel
• Ceritinib
• Darolutamide
• Dronedarone
• Elexacaftor
• Eliglustat
• Ibrutinib
• Isocarboxazid
• Ivacaftor
• Lapatinib
• Leflunomide
• Letermovir
• Lorlatinib
• Mirabegron
• Neratinib
• Olaparib
• Osimertinib
• Phenelzine
• Pibrentasvir
• Pitolisant
• Rifampicin
• Roxadustat
• Sotorasib
• Tepotinib
• Teriflunomide
• Tranylcypromine
• Tucatinib
• Vandetanib
• Velpatasvir
• Vemurafenib
• Venetoclax

If you are taking an indigestion remedy containing aluminium or magnesium you should wait 2 hours after your dose of fexofenadine.

Can I take painkillers with fexofenadine?

Yes. It’s entirely safe to take painkillers with fexofenadine if they’re suitable for you.

Fexofenadine alternatives

There are other non-drowsy antihistamines that are as effective as fexofenadine. If fexofenadine makes you sleepy, you may want to try:

• Acrivastine
• Cetirizine
• Loratadine
• Desloratadine
• Levocetirizine

Fexofenadine vs cetirizine

Both fexofenadine and cetirizine are antihistamines and work in the same way. Cetirizine is more likely to cause drowsiness than fexofenadine. However, there is some evidence that its effects are longer-lasting.

Fexofenadine vs loratadine

Fexofenadine and loratadine work in the same way; they’re second-generation anti-histamines. Fexofenadine generally causes lower levels of drowsiness than loratadine. Studies suggest that fexofenadine is more effective in treating hives than loratadine.

Can I take two antihistamines together?

If your symptoms are very severe, your GP may prescribe a sedating antihistamine to take at night in order to help you get some sleep. It’s important that you only do this on the advice of your doctor.