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Fexofenadine is a strong non-drowsy antihistamine that is commonly used in the treatment of seasonal allergies (hayfever) or chronic urticaria (hives). It usually starts to...
Fexofenadine is a strong non-drowsy antihistamine that is commonly used in the treatment of seasonal allergies (hayfever) or chronic urticaria (hives).
It usually starts to work within 30-60 minutes of taking the dose, with peak effects being reached in 2-3 hours. The relief typically lasts for 24 hours, so most adults only need one dose.
The typical dosage for adults or children older than 12 years old is 120mg-180mg, whereas children younger than 12 years of age are usually given lower doses (in liquid form).
Situations that increase Fexofenadine’s effectiveness and dose timing include taking it on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.
Throughout this article, we aim to answer your questions regarding the speed and duration of Fexofenadine action, including questions such as: “ How quickly does fexofenadine work?” or “How long Fexofenadine lasts in the body ?”.
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Fexofenadine is a strong-acting antihistamine which is used to relieve the symptoms of allergies:
It is a non-drowsy antihistamine (that does not cause sedation or drowsiness) and is often used to treat seasonal allergies or hives (raised itchy areas of the skin).
Symptoms of allergic reactions such as sneezing, itching or runny noses are caused due to the body’s release of the chemical histamine. Fexofenadine blocks Histamine receptors (H1) in the body and prevents histamine from causing allergic reactions and symptoms.
Side effects of fexofenadine are usually mild and include symptoms such as:
For best effects, it is usually taken once or twice a day with water. It can be taken in the day as unlike typical anti-histamines, Fexofenadine does not act on the nervous system and hence does not cause sedation.
Allergies can be a frustrating Phenomenon, hence it is natural to ask questions such as: “How long for fexofenadine to work ?” (Picture 1) and “How soon can I be rid of my symptoms ?”
Here, we try to answer your questions about the Fexofenadine onset of action so you can know when you will get your relief.
Fexofenadine is a fast-acting anti-histamine – it usually starts working within one hour of taking a dose.
After taking Fexofenadine, most people find that it starts working within a minimum of half an hour to an hour. Its effects peak 2-hours after first taking it and last for a total of 24 hours.
This onset and duration cover is why Fexofenadine should be taken once daily.
Fexofenadine does not cross an important barrier in the body called the blood-brain barrier, hence it does not get to the nervous system and does not cross drowsiness.
Taking Fexofenadine once a day allows it to act quickly and provide you cover for the whole day.
Picture 1: How long does Fexofenadine take to work and when can it rid me of my allergies.
There are a range of factors that can affect how fast Fexofenadine works to provide relief to patients. These include; the dosage and formulation, whether it is taken with food, the individual response to the medicine, any medical conditions you may have or any other medicines that are being taken.
Fexofenadine is available in different strengths and forms.
Fexofenadine oral medication tablets are the most common type available. They are suitable for adults and children over 12 years old. The dosages for tablets are as follows:
Oral suspensions or liquids are available for children (ages 2-11). The dosage varies according to the age of the child.
For those who find swallowing difficult- there is also the option of oral disintegrating tablets (that dissolve on the tongue without water).
Higher doses in the adult tablet (120-180mg) tend to act faster than oral suspension liquids or disintegrating tablets, achieving effects within 30-60 minutes. Lower doses (used for children) may take longer to achieve the desired effect.
Fexofenadine works fastest when taken with water on an empty stomach. This allows allergy relief to kick in around 30-60 minutes after taking the medicine. Peak relief is reached within 2-3 hours of medicine ingestion.
The medicine can be taken with food however this delays absorption and hence how fast it works, this is particularly true if the food is very fatty.
Taking Fexofenadine with fruit juices also delays absorption and hence drug action.
An individual’s own metabolism, background health and medication regime can determine how their body handles Fexofenadine and how long it takes for the medicine to act and show it’s effects.
People experiencing severe allergic symptoms may feel like the medicine is acting slower as opposed to someone with milder symptoms. This may be due to the time it takes for Fexofenadien to deal with the greater number of allergic responses.
People suffering from reflux or GORD who may be taking aluminum or magnesium based antacids may find a delay in Fexofenadine action. This is because these medicines bind to Fexofenadine and reduce absorption.
If you do take Aluminum or Magnesium based antacids then please take Fexofenadine atleast 2 hours before taking such antacids.
Children have faster Fexofenadine drug metabolism than adults, thereby achieving quicker allergy relief. They may also benefit more (in terms of speed) by taking an oral suspension or liquid as opposed to taking tablets.
If you experience seasonal allergies that stay persistently troublesome for a few months – it might be best to take Fexofenadine daily during that period as opposed to taking it “as needed”. This may build up Fexofenadine levels slightly in the body and increase efficacy.
Fexofenadine has a longer duration of action compared to older anti-histamines.
A standard dose of Fexofenadine (120-180mg) provides allergy relief cover for up to 24 hours, which makes the once daily dosing ideal.
Fexofenadine takes a bit of time to be broken down in the body – this property allows it to provide allergy symptoms relief for the whole day by blocking H1 Histamine receptors.
It is a non-drowsy antihistamine and exerts its effect by binding only to peripheral histamine receptors. It does not cross the blood-brain barrier, into the central nervous system and therefore cannot interact with neural cells or cause drowsiness.
Most people take the adult tablet for Fexofenadine with water on an empty stomach. The following is a quick guide on how to get the best results from Fexofenadine.
Take Fexofenadine on an empty stomach with plain water. This helps aid drug absorption and action. Avoid taking the medicine with fruit juices as they can block absorption and make the medicine less effective.
Try to take Fexofenadine on an empty stomach. This allows the medicine to be absorbed and begin working within 30-60 minutes. It might also be best to try and take it on the same time, every day to provide steady coverage.
If you experience daily symptoms like seasonal allergies or chronic urticaria (itching), then it is advisable to be consistent with your medicines. For seasonal allergies – you may find it helpful to take Fexofenadine each day of the season whereas for hives/urticaria, daily use is highly recommended to prevent flare-ups.
If you also take Aluminium or Magnesium based antacids for reflux or indigestion, it is best to space these medicines out from Fexofenadine. Try and take the fexofenadine 2 hours before your antacids. This will ensure that the antacids don’t interfere with fexofenadine and reduce it’s speed of action.
This is a really important question to consider. While you may be considering finding answers for questions such as: “How long does it take Fexofenadine to work ?”, or “How long does Fexofenadine work ?”; It is also important to understand when to consult the doctor for further allergy relief.
If you have been having persistent or allergy symptoms despite 1-2 weeks of consistently taking Fexofenadine then please consult with your doctors. Examples of these symptoms can include:
If you have chronic hives for more than 6 weeks and symptoms are not improving with daily antihistamines or are painful/spreading or affecting the eyes and lips.
Seek urgent medical care in the following situations:
