Drug reference
Symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 6–11 years: 30 mg twice daily ▶Child 12–17 years: 120 mg once daily ▶Adult: 120 mg once daily Symptomatic relief of chronic idiopathic urticaria ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 12–17 years: 180 mg once daily ▶Adult: 180 mg once daily
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▶Fexofenadine is a metabolite of terfenadine.
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→Appendix 1: antihistamines, non- sedating
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▶Common or very common Dizziness. drowsiness. headache . nausea ▶Uncommon Fatigue ▶Frequency not known Diarrhoea. nervousness. palpitations. skin reactions. sleep disorders. tachycardia SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Non-sedating antihistamines such as fexofenadine cause less sedation and psychomotor impairment than the older antihistamines, but can still occur; sedation is generally minimal. This is because non-sedating antihistamines penetrate the blood brain barrier to a much lesser extent.
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Most manufacturers of antihistamines advise avoiding their use during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence of teratogenicity.
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Most antihistamines are present in breast milk in varying amounts; although not known to be harmful, most manufacturers advise avoiding their use in mothers who are breast-feeding.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension, oral solution Tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 5 ▶Fexofenadine hydrochloride (Non-proprietary) Fexofenadine hydrochloride 120 mg Fexofenadine 120mg tablets | 30 tablet P £6.23 DT = £2.12 Fexofenadine hydrochloride 180 mg Fexofenadine 180mg tablets | 30 tablet P £7.89 DT = £3.18 ▶Telfast (Sanofi) Fexofenadine hydrochloride 30 mg Telfast 30mg tablets | 60 tablet P £5.46 DT = £5.46 Fexofenadine hydrochloride 120 mg Telfast 120mg tablets | 30 tablet P £5.99 DT = £2.12 Fexofenadine hydrochloride 180 mg Telfast 180mg tablets | Respiratory system 30 tablet P £7.58 DT = £3.18
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Driving and skilled tasks Although drowsiness is rare, nevertheless patients should be advised that it can occur and may affect performance of skilled tasks (e.g. cycling or driving); alcohol should be avoided.
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120 mg once daily
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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180 mg once daily
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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