Telfast Tablets

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before you start taking Telfast.

Medicines that act locally, such as a nasal spray, are the better option for the treatment of the symptoms of hay fever in pregnant women. Fexofenadine is not usually recommended to pregnant women unless the potential benefits outweigh any possible risk to the developing baby. Get further advice from your doctor.

Fexofenadine only passes into the breast milk in small amounts. Get advice from your doctor about taking Fexofenadine if you are breastfeeding. He may recommend other medicines for your conditions.

Make sure to share with your doctor a list of all medicines that you are currently taking or have recently taken before you start taking Fexofenadine. Similarly, check first with your doctor before you start any new medication while you are taking Fexofenadine.

You should not take any antacids that contain aluminium or magnesium within two hours after you take a dose of Fexofenadine. These antacids may decrease the absorption of Fexofenadine from the gut, making it less effective.

Telfast dose amount

Telfast comes in the form of easy to swallow tablets. As an adult, you are advised to take either 120mg or 180mg of Fexofenadine, whereas children ages 6 years and over are advised to take 30mg.

It is recommended to take Telfast tablets once per day. However, you may up the dosage to two times per day or every 12 hours if necessary. Children usually take Fexofenadine tablets twice per day - but, if you are buying Fexofenadine for a child, consult with your doctor first.

How to take Telfast

It is recommended to take Telfast on an empty stomach. You can take it with or without water. To avoid damage to the tablet, you shouldn’t remove it from your tablet pack until you are ready to take it.

You should only take Telfast when you have been exposed to something you're allergic to, like animal hair or pollen. However, you can take it regularly during hay fever season to prevent symptoms. This is usually the case if your allergies are seasonal or if you suffer from allergies on a daily basis.

You should always consult with your GP beforehand if you plan to take Telfast every day. If you are not sure how often you should take Fexofenadine, speak to your doctor.

If you miss a dose of Telfast, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is the following day, do not take it - instead, skip the dose and take the next as normal. If you accidentally take two doses, you may experience side effects. If you do, speak to the doctor. It usually isn’t a cause for concern, but it’s worth monitoring and letting the doctor know if you begin to feel unwell. If the side effects feel severe, seek emergency medical care.

How long does Telfast take to work?

Telfast can start working from half an hour to an hour after taking it, but it usually takes around 2-3 hours to reach its peak effectiveness.

Who cannot take Telfast?

If you have any of the following conditions, you should speak to your doctor before taking Fexofenadine:

• Allergies to any medication
• Kidney disease
• Heart problems
• Epilepsy or a history of seizures
• Diabetes
• Phenylketonuria
• Other conditions that require you to limit your diet

Telfast is also not recommended for children under the age of 6, and adults over the age of 65. If you are over 65 or have a child under 6, speak to your doctor about the condition and ask them what treatment they recommend.

Telfast can impact the results of allergy tests. If you are due to have an allergy test, you may need to wait for a few days before you can begin taking Fexofenadine again. Consult your doctor if this is the case.

How Long Can I Take Telfast For?

Telfast isn’t likely to cause you any damage if you take it for a long time. Nevertheless, it’s best to limit how much medication you take, so only take it for as long as you need to. If you find yourself taking Fexofenadine a lot, consult your doctor.

Telfast Interactions

Some tablets interact with Telfast, and if you take any medication, it is important to speak to your doctor before you take Telfast tablets. You shouldn’t stop or start taking any medications without speaking to your doctor first.

Speak to your doctor if you take the following:

• The low blood pressure medication midodrine
• Ketoconazole, a medication for fungal infections
• Medication that has the following side effects: dry mouth, drowsiness, and making it difficult to urinate
• HIV medication, including lopinavir or ritonavir
• The antibiotic erythromycin
• Rifampicin which is an antibiotic
• Any indigestion medications with aluminium or magnesium. You may be able to take these on the same day as Fexofenadine but will need to leave a two-hour gap
• If you take supplements or herbal medications, it is recommended to speak to your doctor before taking Fexofenadine tablets

It would be best to avoid certain juices when taking Fexofenadine, including grapefruit, orange and apple juice. This is because these juices can increase the likelihood of side effects. If these juices are a regular part of your diet, you may find that other antihistamine medications are better suited to you.

Telfast side effects

Like all medication, there is a small risk of side effects with Fexofenadine. Mild side effects include the following

• Cough
• Stomach upset
• Low-grade fever
• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Mild dizziness
• Dry mouth

These side effects are common and should go away on their own. However, if they don’t improve, are severe or get worse, speak to your doctor or pharmacist as quickly as possible.

If you experience drowsiness, do not drive, cycle or use machinery. When you take it for the first time, it is good practice to see whether the drug makes you feel tired before trying to drive or use machinery. Also, if you experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, discontinue use and speak to a doctor immediately. 

One of the main reasons why Fexofenadine tablets are recommended over other antihistamines is because serious side effects are uncommon. There are instances whereby patients have been allergic to Fexofenadine tablets, thankfully this is very rare. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

• A rash, which could be any kind of blistered, red or itchy skin
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Swelling of anywhere on your face, including the tongue or throat

Telfast patient information leaflet

For more information about Telfast tablets, please take a look at the information leaflet below:

• Telfast tablets patient information leaflet