Prices

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About antihistamine tablets

Dr Fox supplies cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine (Telfast) antihistamine tablets on prescription.

Loratadine and cetirizine are medical names. A number of drug companies make these antihistamines, which are sold under various brand names (e.g. Piriteze). Telfast is a brand name for the antihistamine fexofenadine (also available from Dr Fox as a generic).

Antihistamine tablets work by blocking the inflammatory effect of histamine. In hay fever, histamine release is triggered by an allergic reaction to pollen. This leads to the symptoms in the eyes, nose, and throat.

How to take antihistamine tablets

• Cetirizine 10mg tablets: take one daily, swallowed with water.
• Loratadine 10mg tablets: take one daily, with or without food.
• Telfast/fexofenadine 120mg tablets: take one daily with water before a meal. Avoid antacids within 2 hours of tablets.

Antihistamine tablets can be combined with hay fever eye drops and nasal sprays.

Cautions and contraindications

People with significant liver or kidney disease or a history of irregular heart rhythms, epilepsy, or porphyria may not be able to take antihistamines and should consult with their regular doctor before treatment.

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and affect ability to drive, cycle, and operate machinery.

Cetirizine and loratadine tablets contain lactose. Telfast and fexofenadine tablets do not contain lactose.

Skin testing for allergy

All antihistamines will interfere with allergy skin testing. It is recommended to stop taking antihistamine tablets for at least 72 hours before any skin tests.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before taking antihistamine tablets. The manufacturers recommend to avoid them.

Information on antihistamine use in pregnancy: BUMPS (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) - Treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Possible side effects

All medicines can cause side effects although not everyone gets them.

Cetirizine, loratadine, and Telfast (fexofenadine) are all less sedative than the original antihistamine tablets.

Common side effects: Side effects are reported in up to 1 in 100 people, but are not generally troublesome. These can include: headache, dry mouth, feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea, poor sleep, and dizziness.

Serious allergic reactions are rare and require immediate medical attention: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, flushing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Occasionally people experience a rash or itching on stopping cetirizine.

Information on other rarer side effects is found in the patient information leaflets.

Alternative treatments for hay fever

Other medical treatments for hay fever include nasal sprays and eye drops.

In hay fever associated with asthma, your GP may prescribe montelukast tablets. If hay fever triggers asthma which doesn't settle with your usual asthma treatment please consult your regular doctor.

If there are severe hay fever symptoms which are not responding to antihistamine tablets with nasal sprays and eye drops, a short course of a few days of steroid tablets can bring things back under control. Dr Fox cannot provide this. Please consult your regular doctor.

Many hay fever sufferers used to have an annual long acting steroid injection of Kenalog (triamcinolone). This is very effective at damping down the overactive immune response causing hay fever, for the duration of the hay fever season. However, it is no longer recommended by NICE or licensed as a hay fever treatment, as there are health risks from lowering your immune responses, and there can also be serious long-term side effects. Some private clinics do, however, still offer this injection 'off label' after a careful assessment of personal risks.

Pollen desensitisation using allergen immunotherapy as either a vaccine or oral preparation is available from some hospital specialists. There is a potential for life threatening anaphylactic reactions during desensitisation treatments and so they are not often recommended.

How to avoid exposure to pollen

• Using vaseline around your nostrils. This can trap pollen and stop it getting into your nose.
• Avoid grass cutting and places where pollen counts are known to be high.
• Vacuum regularly, preferably using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
• Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season.
• Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. You can check the pollen forecast or there are many helpful apps available.
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Wraparound sunglasses can reduce pollen contact with the eyes.
• Shower after going outside.

Further information on antihistamines

• NHS - Antihistamines
• AllergyUK - Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis

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