Like all medicines, fexofenadine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects of fexofenadine
These common side effects of fexofenadine happen in more than 1 in 100 people.
There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Feeling sick
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.
Feeling sleepy
Try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.
Do not drive, ride a bike or operate tools or machinery until you feel better, and fully alert and awake.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink alcohol. Take an everyday painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Talk to your doctor if they are severe or do not go away.
Feeling dizzy
If fexofenadine makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, then get up slowly.
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery. Speak to your doctor if the dizziness gets worse or does not go away.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
It's rare to have a serious side effect with fexofenadine.
Tell your doctor or call 111 straight away if you get a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to fexofenadine.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of fexofenadine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.