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How does fexofenadine work?
Fexofenadine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine, which works by blocking a chemical called histamine that your body releases during an allergic reaction. When you come into contact with pollen, the cells in the linings of your nose and eyes release histamine, causing inflammation that leads to allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and a runny nose. By taking an antihistamine like fexofenadine, histamine is no longer produced and your symptoms can be relieved.
What are the side effects of fexofenadine?
As is the case with all medicines, it’s possible you might experience some side effects when you take fexofenadine, but these won’t affect everyone. Common side effects of this medicine include nausea, sleepiness or dizziness, headaches and dry mouth. If you experience a fast or irregular heartbeat after taking fexofenadine, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling in the face and mouth, skin rash), you should seek emergency medical attention.
What is fexofenadine hydrochloride used for?
Fexofenadine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine used to treat itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and other symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis caused by pollen, dust mites, animals and more. Fexofenadine can also be used to treat chronic urticaria, a condition that causes an itchy skin rash lasting longer than six weeks.
Can you take two hay fever treatments at once?
If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to take more than one hay fever treatment at once, it’s best to speak to your pharmacist or doctor to ensure that it’s safe as different medications, including antihistamines, can be problematic when taken together.
If your allergy symptoms are severe and you’re looking to take more than one treatment to relieve your suffering, speak to a healthcare professional to see if it would benefit you from taking stronger medication.
When is the best time to take hay fever tablets?
The best time to take hay fever tablets can be different from person to person, as you'll need to take into account how your allergy affects you and the type of medication you're taking.
Some people take hay fever tablets when their symptoms begin to show, while others take one every day if they know they are going to be exposed to allergens, like during high hay fever season.
You might take one before you visit a house with an animal to prevent your symptoms from flaring, too.
There are lots of different types of antihistamines, ones that are drowsy, non-drowsy, ones that work between 4 to 6 hours, and ones that last for 12 to 24 hours.
It’s important to read the instructions on the label carefully and pick a variety that works for you, for example, it might not be a good idea to take a drowsy variety if you suffer from hay fever during the day.
Which antihistamine tablets are non-drowsy?
Most people know that there are two types of antihistamines - drowsy and non-drowsy, and there are two types simply due to the advancement in pharmaceuticals.
Drowsy antihistamines are known as first-generation antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine, and promethazine.
The non-drowsy antihistamines, which include cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine, are known as second-generation antihistamines.
The only difference between them is the effect of drowsiness, which means that the first-generation antihistamines can also be used as other forms of medical treatment, like insomnia.