Fexofenadine
Indications for use
- P medicine (180 mg fexofenadine hydrochloride) is for the relief of symptoms associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria
- GSL medicine (120 mg fexofenadine hydrochloride) is for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Age
- 12 years +
Dose/Directions
- One tablet once daily taken before a meal
Duration
- No specific timeframe stated on the PILs at the time of writing - check prior to selling in practice
Contra-indications/referral criteria
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or the excipients
- the patient has liver or kidney problems
- the patient is elderly
- the patient has ongoing (or a history of) cardiac problems as antihistamines may cause tachycardia or palpitations
Examples of drug interactions
- indigestion remedies containing aluminium and magnesium (leave about a 2 hour gap)
- erythromycin
- ketoconazole
Side-effects
- Common: headache, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness
- It is unlikely to affect the ability to drive or operate machinery, but it is best for patients not to perform skilled tasks until they know how the medicine affects them
Other pertinent information
- Care with P and GSL versions - these are different strengths and have different indications for use
- Reclassified POM→GSL: 2020 (120 mg); POM→P: 2021 (180 mg)