If you or your child have been prescribed fexofenadine, follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.
If you've bought fexofenadine from a pharmacy or shop, follow the instructions that come with the packet.
Dosage and how to take fexofenadine
Dosage and strength
Fexofenadine comes as tablets in different strengths: 30mg, 120mg and 180mg.
How much you take depends on why you're taking it.
The usual dose for treating hay fever is:
- 120mg, taken once a day for adults and children aged 12 years and over
- 30mg, taken twice a day for children aged 6 to 11 years, with the doses spaced 10 to 12 hours apart
The usual dose for treating hives is 180mg once a day for adults and children aged 12 years and over.
How to take it
If you're taking 30mg fexofenadine tablets, you can take them with or without food.
If you're taking 120mg or 180mg fexofenadine tablets, take them before a meal.
Always take your fexofenadine tablets with a drink of water. Do not take your tablets with apple, orange or grapefruit juice as these can reduce how well the medicine works. Swallow them whole – do not chew them.
Try to take fexofenadine tablets at about the same time every day. Choose a time that is easy to remember.
How long to take it for
It depends on why you're taking fexofenadine.
You may only need to take it as a one-off dose or for a day or 2, for example if you have a reaction to an insect bite.
You may need to take fexofenadine for longer if you're taking it to prevent symptoms, for example to stop hay fever symptoms when the pollen count is high.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure how long you need to take fexofenadine for.
If you forget to take it
If you're taking fexofenadine once a day, take your forgotten dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you forget to give a dose to a child who is taking fexofenadine twice a day, you can give the dose if it's within 4 hours of when they should have had it.
If you remember more than 4 hours after, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the usual time.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Fexofenadine is generally very safe. Taking more than your usual dose is unlikely to harm you.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
You take more than the recommended dose of fexofenadine and:
- have get a headache, a fast heartbeat or feel sleepy
- you're concerned
Call 111 or get help from 111 online.
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the fexofenadine packet, or the leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.