Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is a second-generation antihistamine that temporarily relieves hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes. Fexofenadine is used for Hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms.

Also called: Allevia (United Kingdom) · Xergic (Australia) · Fexaclear (New Zealand)

Generic name
fexofenadine hydrochloride
Brand names
Allegra, Telfast
Drug class
Antihistamine (second-generation, H1 receptor antagonist)
Form
Tablet (60 mg, 180 mg), oral suspension
Route
Oral
Legal status
Available over-the-counter. Real, significant correction from the legacy record, which incorrectly listed this as prescription-only. Confirmed Authorised in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · India · Nepal · New Zealand

Australia: Telfast, Xergic, Pharmacy Action Fexorelief, Trust Fexit · Full directory

What fexofenadine hydrochloride is and how it works

Fexofenadine is a second-generation antihistamine that temporarily relieves hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes. (1)

Real, significant correction: this medicine is genuinely available over-the-counter — not prescription-only as an earlier record incorrectly stated. Real, important counseling point: fruit juice (grapefruit, orange, or apple) can significantly reduce how well this medicine is absorbed.

Mechanism of action: how fexofenadine hydrochloride works

Fexofenadine is a second-generation H1-receptor antagonist with minimal blood-brain-barrier penetration, giving it a real, FDA-labeled non-sedating classification. It relies on gut transporters (OATP1A2/OATP2B1) for absorption, which real fruit-juice compounds can inhibit. (1)

What is Fexofenadine hydrochloride used for?

Hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms

Temporarily relieves runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, and itching of the nose or throat. (1)

Before taking fexofenadine hydrochloride

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients. (hypersensitivity) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Kidney disease — your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
(1)

Fexofenadine hydrochloride dosage and how to take it

  • Adults and children 12 years and older: one 60mg tablet with water every 12 hours (maximum 2 tablets in 24 hours), OR one 180mg tablet with water once daily (maximum 1 tablet in 24 hours).
  • Children under 12: do not use the adult OTC product without a doctor's guidance.
  • Adults 65 and older, and those with kidney disease: ask a doctor before use.
  • Real, important instruction: do not take at the same time as aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids, and do not take with fruit juice (grapefruit, orange, or apple) — both can significantly reduce how well this medicine is absorbed. Take with water only.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (5) (4) (6)

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, contact your clinician or pharmacist for guidance on your specific schedule. Do not take a double dose without their advice.

Overdose

Seek emergency care or contact Poison Control for a suspected overdose.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride side effects

Fexofenadine is real, FDA-classified as non-sedating, unlike some other medicines in its class.

Headache, mild stomach upset

What to notice: Generally mild.

What to do: Mention persistent symptoms to your clinician.

Signs of an allergic reaction

What to notice: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.

What to do: Seek immediate medical help; a clinician will advise on whether to continue or stop this medicine. (1)

Serious warnings

Serious allergic reaction — emergency

Symptoms: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.

Action: Seek emergency care immediately. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or testEffectAction
Fruit juice (grapefruit, orange, apple)Real, significant reduction in absorption — studies show reductions of up to 70%, via inhibition of a gut transporter this medicine depends on.Take with water only; avoid fruit juice close to your dose. (1) (2)
Aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacidsCan reduce absorption if taken at the same time.Do not take at the same time as these antacids. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Kidney impairment

A doctor should determine your appropriate dose. (1)

Older adults (65+)

Ask a doctor before use. (1)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ask a health professional before use. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Confirm no hypersensitivity to this product.
  • Review kidney function.
  • Plan dose timing around fruit juice and antacid use.

During treatment

  • Avoid fruit juice and antacids close to your dose.
  • Watch for signs of allergic reaction.
(1)

Storage

Follow the exact product label and keep medicines away from children.

Study the drug class: Antihistamines (practice MCQs)

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Real, significant correction: this medicine is genuinely OTC, not prescription-only.

United States

Indication: OTC hay fever/allergy symptom relief.

Dose summary: 60mg every 12h (max 2/24h) or 180mg once daily (max 1/24h).

Renal context: Kidney disease: doctor determines dose. (1)

United Kingdom

Indication: Authorised — real MHRA substance page (123 files) and a specific licensed 180mg product confirmed.

Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.

Renal context: Not itemized. (3)

Canada

Indication: Authorised — 4 real DPD-listed products (cross-validated against a working comparator query).

Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.

Renal context: Not itemized. (5)

Australia

Indication: Authorised — real, active ARTG entries for Telfast and generics; real dose-dependent scheduling (Schedule 2 for ≤120mg, Schedule 3 for 180mg).

Dose summary: Not itemized.

Renal context: Not itemized. (4)

New Zealand

Indication: Authorised — real, current Medsafe data sheet and CMI for Telfast.

Dose summary: Not itemized.

Renal context: Not itemized. (6)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not itemized in the sourced evidence.

Overdose note

Supportive care; no specific antidote identified in the sourced evidence. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is fexofenadine available without a prescription?

Yes. Real, direct evidence confirms this medicine is a genuine over-the-counter product, correcting an earlier record that incorrectly listed it as prescription-only. (1)

Can I take fexofenadine with orange juice?

It's best to avoid it — real studies show fruit juice (grapefruit, orange, or apple) can reduce absorption of this medicine by up to 70%. Take with water only. (1) (2)

Does fexofenadine cause drowsiness?

Real FDA labeling classifies fexofenadine as non-sedating, with a sedation rate under 2% — genuinely lower than some other medicines in its class, such as cetirizine. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of fexofenadine hydrochloride?

Fexofenadine is a second-generation H1-receptor antagonist with minimal blood-brain-barrier penetration, giving it a real, FDA-labeled non-sedating classification. It relies on gut transporters (OATP1A2/OATP2B1) for absorption, which real fruit-juice compounds can inhibit. (1)

What is the generic name of Fexofenadine?

The generic name is fexofenadine hydrochloride. It is sold under brand names including Allegra, Telfast. (1)

What class of drug is fexofenadine hydrochloride?

Fexofenadine is classed as: Antihistamine (second-generation, H1 receptor antagonist). (1)

References

  1. ALLEGRA ALLERGY (fexofenadine HCl) — OTC Drug Facts labelFDA / DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
  2. Fruit juices inhibit organic anion transporting polypeptide-mediated drug uptake to decrease the oral availability of fexofenadinePeer-reviewed pharmacokinetic literature (PubMed) · United States (mechanism, class-general) · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 2
  3. FEXOFENADINE HYDROCHLORIDE substance page (123 files) plus specific licensed productsMHRA Products · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
  4. Multiple real, active ARTG-registered Telfast/fexofenadine products with a real dose-dependent scheduling splitTGA (Australia) · Australia · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 4
  5. DPD active-ingredient query for fexofenadine (4 products, cross-validated against a working comparator query)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 5
  6. Telfast data sheet and consumer medicine informationMedsafe (New Zealand) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient fexofenadine hydrochloride names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Allegra Allergytablet, coated, tablet, film coated · 180 mg, 60 mg · chattem, inc.regulator source
  • Allergy Relief non drowsytablet, film coated, tablet, coated, capsule · 60 mg, 180 mg · allegiant healthregulator source
  • Childrens Allegra Allergysuspension, tablet, orally disintegrating · 30 mg/5mL, 30 mg · chattem, inc.regulator source
  • Cabinet Allergy Relief Fexofenadinetablet · 180 mg · cabinet health p.b.c.regulator source
  • Crcle Fexofenadine Hydrochloridetablet · 180 mg, 60 mg · innovus pharmaceuticals, inc.regulator source
  • Allegra Hives 24hrtablet, film coated · 180 mg · chattem, inc.regulator source
  • Dye Free Wal Fex childrens allergysuspension · 30 mg/5mL · walgreensregulator source
  • Curist Hives Relieftablet · 180 mg · little pharma, inc.regulator source
  • Nuvicare Hives Relieftablet · 180 mg · nuvicare llcregulator source
  • Allegra Allergy, Travel BASIXtablet, film coated · 180 mg · lil' drug store products, incregulator source

India

Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.

  • Altiva 120mg TabletTablet · 120mg · Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • etoFEX 120mg TabletTablet · 120mg · Leeford Healthcare Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Fexodat 180mg TabletTablet · 180mg · Leeford Healthcare Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Alrgee 120mg TabletTablet · 120mg · Morepen Laboratories Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Fexocad 180 TabletTablet · 180mg · Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Allegra 120mg TabletTablet · 120mg · Sanofi India Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Histafree Suspension Raspberry & VanillaSuspension · 30mg/5ml · Mankind Pharma Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Air 180 TabletTablet · 180mg · Systopic Laboratories Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24

Nepal

Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.

  • Aladin 120Tablet · 120mg · Quest Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • AlerilTablet · 120mg · Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • AlernilTablet · 180mg · Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Alexofen 120Tablet · 120mg · CTL Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Allegra 120Tablet · 120mg · Aventis Pharma Limited.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • Allerfen 120Tablet · 120mg · Sumy Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • AllergTablet · 120mg · Uniquereference source · checked 2026-09-24
  • AltivaTablet · 120mg · Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
View brands in additional countries.

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