Fexofenadine, also known as Allevia, Telfast, and Treathay, is a type of antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms. Most people find that fexofenadine takes effect within 1 to 2 hours of taking it, providing fast and effective relief from hay fever, eczema, conjunctivitis, and other allergy symptoms.
If you experience allergy symptoms, you likely want to know how quickly you will feel relief when taking fexofenadine as your chosen antihistamine.
The average time it takes for fexofenadine to provide allergy relief is 2 hours. Some people may notice their symptoms subside within 10 to 20 minutes after taking a fexofenadine pill.
Fexofenadine should not be taken with a high-fat meal, as it may affect the time it takes to work. High-fat meals reduce the concentration of fexofenadine in the bloodstream, meaning it can take 4 hours before you feel any relief.
You should also avoid the following food and drink when taking fexofenadine because it can increase the risk of side effects:
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that’s used to treat hay fever symptoms, like:
Fexofenadine is also used to treat:
Fexofenadine contains the active ingredient fexofenadine hydrochloride. It works by blocking the body’s histamine receptors to stop the effects of histamine from affecting you. Histamine is released by your immune cells when they detect an allergen, causing allergy symptoms when it binds to its receptors.
Because fexofenadine binds to the histamine receptors, histamine cannot cause any symptoms, so you should start to experience relief shortly after taking fexofenadine.
Fexofenadine is known as a non-drowsy antihistamine, which means it is less likely to cause drowsiness than other antihistamines. So, you may find fexofenadine more suitable if you work during the day, for example.
It is advisable to avoid alcohol when taking fexofenadine because it can affect your focus and make you feel drowsy.
Yes, fexofenadine is available as a generic version, but branded fexofenadine medications are available, such as:
Hay fever and colds share similar symptoms, making it challenging to distinguish between the two.
The symptoms of hay fever include:
The symptoms of hay fever usually worsen between March and September when pollen counts are at their highest.
You can find out more about the difference between hay fever and a cold in our blog.
Fexofenadine may not be suitable for everyone. If you don’t think fexofenadine is right for you, Prescription Doctor has a range of hay fever treatments available:
Explore our range of hay fever treatments.
Fexofenadine is an effective antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms, particularly those associated with hay fever. It works by blocking the body’s histamine receptors, providing relief from the irritating symptoms, including itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing.
Typically, fexofenadine is taken once daily, and most people notice its effects within 2 hours of administration. Some people start to feel relief within the first 10 to 20 minutes, making fexofenadine a popular hay fever treatment.
Sources
Dr Reddy’s, 2023. Fexofenadine hydrochloride 120 mg film-coated tablets patient information leaflet.
Drugs.com, 2023. Fexofenadine: 7 things you should know.
NHS, 2024. Hay fever.
NHS, 2021. Fexofenadine.
Additional Resources
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