Telfast

What is Telfast?

Telfast is the brand name for fexofenadine, which belongs to a group of drugs collectively known as antihistamines. It is classed as a second-generation antihistamine.

You can only buy Telfast when you have a prescription from your doctor. It is prescribed to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) in people over the age of 12 years old.

Telfast works to relieve the symptoms that occur when you suffer from hay fever, allowing you to get on with your day without suffering from the likes of itchy eyes and sneezing. It can also be used for other allergic conditions.

What is Telfast (fexofenadine) used to treat?

Telfast is used to treat the symptoms of allergies. It contains the active ingredient fexofenadine hydrochloride, which is effective in relieving the symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever is a common problem, but it can seriously hinder you from living an ordinary life. It can cause debilitating symptoms such as:

• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Blocked or runny nose, including a loss of smell

Telfast also helps to relieve other conditions like eczema, hives, conjunctivitis, insect bites and stings, as well certain food allergies.

Why is Telfast recommended for hay fever?

Research shows that fexofenadine hydrochloride was well tolerated by adults and children, meaning it is unlikely to cause side effects. This medicine has also been proven to be an effective treatment for the symptoms of hay fever.

It is a non-drowsy antihistamine, meaning it is less likely to cause drowsiness when you take it compared to other antihistamines.

How does Telfast work?

Fexofenadine hydrochloride is an antihistamine medicine. It works by preventing the effects of histamine, which is a naturally occurring chemical in your body. Histamine is released by the body in response to infections and other harmful substances; it works to protect your body from becoming infected and damaged.

In most cases, histamine is beneficial to your health. However, when it is released in response to an allergen (such as pollen or animal fur), it can cause unpleasant symptoms like itchy eyes and sneezing.

Telfast blocks the histamine, thus alleviating or preventing these symptoms. It will normally get to work within one hour of being taken.

Who can take Telfast?

Telfast (fexofenadine) is not suitable for everyone to use. Speak to your doctor before taking Telfast if any of these conditions apply to you:

• You have kidney problems
• You have liver problems
• You have suffered an allergic reaction to Telfast or any other medications in the past
• You have or have ever had heart problems
• You have epilepsy or any other health problems that may cause seizures
• You are booked in for an allergy test (Telfast may skew the results of these tests)
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding

Telfast is only suitable for adults and children who are aged 12 and older.

It is not usually recommended for people over the age of 65 years old. Speak to your doctor if you are older than 65 and want to start taking Telfast.

Always read the patient information leaflet, which will come with your medicine, for a comprehensive list of reasons why Telfast may not be suitable for you.

Can you buy Telfast over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Telfast without a prescription. It is not for sale over the counter.

Can you buy Telfast online in the UK?

To buy Telfast online from Medicine Direct, you will be required to fill out an online questionnaire for one of our prescribers to review. This is to make certain that Telfast is the most suitable medication for your specific case. After a prescriber has confirmed that this is an appropriate medicine for you, your order will be confirmed.

If you place your order online before 2pm, we can offer you next day delivery on your medication.

For your own safety, never buy any medicine online from anywhere other than regulated pharmacies, like Medicine Direct.

Telfast alternatives

Many different antihistamine treatments are available to treat the symptoms of hay fever. 

The most closely related alternatives are other antihistamines that are considered to be non-drowsy such as Loratidine tablets and Certirizine tablets or oral solution.

Antihistamine nasal sprays such as Rhinolast can also help to alleviate the same symptoms as Telfast. Nasal sprays are good alternatives for people who may struggle to swallow whole tablets.

Corticosteroid nasal sprays like Rhinocort, Beclometasone and Nasonex work by reducing the inflammation inside the nasal passage, which in turn helps to relieve other symptoms of hay fever.

Telfast Indications and Dose

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Telfast.

Always take Telfast exactly as instructed by your doctor. Read the patient information leaflet before you start taking Telfast for full details. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure of how to take this medicine.

The recommended daily dose is fexofenadine 180 mg each day.

Take your tablet before you eat a meal; swallow it whole with a glass of water.

Your symptoms of hay fever or other allergies should start to be relieved after around 1 hour. The effects of the treatment will last for 24 hours.

You may only need to take Telfast on days when your hay fever or other allergies are flaring up. You may also be instructed to take it regularly, to help prevent the symptoms of hay fever or other conditions. This will be advised by your doctor.

Thoroughly read the patient information leaflet for full instructions before you start to take this medicine. Ask your doctor if you are unsure.

Telfast Side Effects

The below common side effects happen in more than 1 in every 100 people who take Telfast:

• Headaches
• Feeling dizzy
• Dry mouth
• Feeling sick
• Feeling sleepy

While fexofenadine hydrochloride is generally considered to be very safe, you should speak to your doctor if any of the above symptoms affect you or do not go away.

It is very rare that you will suffer any serious side effects while taking Telfast, but you should seek medical attention immediately if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat.

In rare cases, you may suffer from a serious allergic reaction to Telfast.

Either call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience any of the following:

• You are wheezing
• You are finding it difficult to breathe or speak
• You have a skin rash that is red, itchy, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• You have swelling in the mouth, lips, face, throat or tongue
• You have tightness in the chest or throat

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects; always read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of adverse reactions you may experience.

Telfast warnings and drug interactions

Telfast may interact with other medications and increase your risk of adverse reactions.

You must always ensure you tell your doctor if you are already taking any other medicines. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements as some medicines can interact with Telfast.

Check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking Telfast if you are already using any of these medicines:

• The antibiotic rifampicin
• Medicines for fungal infections, like ketoconazole
• Low blood pressure medicines, like midodrine
• Medications to treat the HIV infection, such as ritonavir or lopinavir
• The antibiotic erythromycin
• Any medicines that cause drowsiness
• Any medicines that may give you a dry mouth
• Any medicines that make it difficult for you to urinate
• Any indigestion medicines that contain aluminium or magnesium – you should leave at least 2 hours between taking these remedies and Telfast.

Mixing Telfast with certain herbal remedies that cause dry mouth, drowsiness, or make it difficult to urinate may not be safe. Telfast may make these side effects even worse.

Always read the patient information pamphlet thoroughly before you start to use any new medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Telfast is not normally prescribed to women who are pregnant. If you are currently pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant, you should inform your doctor. You will likely be prescribed a different antihistamine to treat your hay fever.

You should also make sure your doctor is aware if you are currently breastfeeding.

We recommend BUMPS for additional information. 

Telfast Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is fexofenadine hydrochloride.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Telfast online in the UK?