About Fexofenadine 180 mg Tablet
Fexofenadine 180 mg Tablet contains Fexofenadine 180 mg. Fexofenadine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms. It eases sneezing, a runny or itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes caused by hay fever, as well as itching and rashes from long-lasting hives (urticaria). It is less likely to make you sleepy than older antihistamines. It is usually taken once a day.
Uses of Fexofenadine 180 mg Tablet
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Sneezing, runny or itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes due to allergy
- Chronic idiopathic urticaria (long-lasting hives)
Benefits
In allergic rhinitis
It relieves sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes, helping you get on with your day.
In hives (urticaria)
It reduces itching and the number and size of itchy raised patches on the skin.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and short-lived. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Get medical help if you notice
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing — stop and seek emergency care
- Fast or irregular heartbeat — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole with water, preferably before a meal. Do not take it with fruit juice such as orange, grapefruit or apple juice.
How it works
Fexofenadine blocks histamine, a chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose and hives. It does not easily enter the brain, so it seldom causes drowsiness.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
No important interaction is known, but alcohol can add to any drowsiness or dizziness. Limit alcohol until you know how the medicine affects you.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is not known for certain whether it passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it.
Driving Caution
It rarely causes drowsiness, but check how it affects you before driving.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; the dose may need to be changed.
Liver Caution
A dose change is usually not needed, but tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it with water, not fruit juice — juice can reduce how much medicine is absorbed.
- Keep a gap of about 2 hours between this medicine and antacids that contain aluminium or magnesium.
- It is less likely to cause sleepiness than older antihistamines, but check how it affects you.
- See your doctor if symptoms do not improve.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Piperidine derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-allergy
- Action class
- H1 antihistamine (second generation, non-sedating)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium | Reduce absorption of fexofenadine; take them about 2 hours apart |
| Fruit juices (grapefruit, orange, apple) | Reduce absorption of fexofenadine |
| Erythromycin and ketoconazole | May increase the level of fexofenadine in the blood |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Fexofenadine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: fexofenadine). Pharmacist review pending.