Telfast

What is Telfast?

Telfast (Fexofenadine) is an antihistamine medicine used to treat hay fever symptoms, alongside several other allergies, including allergic conjunctivitis, eczema and reactions to insect bites or stings.

How does Telfast work?

Telfast contains the active ingredient fexofenadine, which works by preventing the action of histamine. The body produces histamine in reaction to the presence of allergens, such as pollen or pet fur. Fexofenadine blocks histamine receptors to prevent histamine, causing symptoms of a mild allergic reaction, such as itchy skin and eyes, runny nose, and scratchy throat.

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Telfast is fexofenadine hydrochloride.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Telfast are microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinised maise starch, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, povidone K30, titanium dioxide (E171), colloidal anhydrous silica, macrogol 400, red iron oxide (E172) and yellow iron oxide (E172).

Telfast is a branded version of Fexofenadine. Generic Fexofenadine may contain different inactive ingredients.

Is Telfast gluten-free?

Telfast does not contain gluten.

How to take Telfast

Swallow one Telfast tablet whole with water once daily. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Telfast dosage

You should take one 120 mg tablet per day. Telfast can begin working within one hour and last for 24 hours.

Telfast side effects

Like all medicines, Telfast can cause side effects in some patients. If you experience any severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing, stop taking Telfast and contact a doctor immediately.

Common side effects, affecting up to one in ten patients, include:

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Dizziness

In up to one in every 100 people, Telfast may cause some drowsiness. The frequency of the following side effects cannot be estimated from the available data:

• Insomnia
• Sleeping disorders
• Bad dreams
• Nervousness
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rash and itching
• Hives

Contraindications

Do NOT take Telfast if you are allergic to fexofenadine or any of the other ingredients in this medicine. Before taking Telfast, tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You have liver or kidney problems
• You have ever had heart disease
• You are elderly

Drug interactions

Before taking Telfast, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including those purchased over the counter without a prescription. You should leave a gap of about two hours between taking Telfast and indigestion remedies containing aluminium or magnesium, as these may reduce the absorption of fexofenadine.

How to cope with Telfast side effects

Telfast can cause side effects, but there are some measures you can take if you do experience them. Nausea can be avoided by eating simple meals that are not too fatty or spicy. If you experience headaches or dizziness, lay down for a while and take painkillers if necessary. Try chewing sugar-free gum to help with a dry mouth. Telfast is less likely to cause drowsiness than other antihistamines, but if it does, a different non-drowsy antihistamine may be better for you.

Telfast and alcohol

Do not drink alcohol when taking Telfast or other antihistamines, as this can cause you to feel sleepy.

Telfast and driving

Telfast may cause dizziness or drowsiness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience these side effects.

Telfast vs Fexofenadine

Telfast is a brand name for the generic drug Fexofenadine. They both contain the active ingredient fexofenadine and work in the same way to relieve symptoms of hay fever. 

Telfast vs other antihistamines

Telfast works similarly to other non-drowsy antihistamines, such as Cetirizine, Acrivastine and Loratadine. Fexofenadine is less likely to make you drowsy than other non-drowsy antihistamines.

Can I take Telfast with other hay fever treatments?

Never take two hay fever treatments together without first consulting a doctor or pharmacist. Telfast may be suitable to take in combination with eye drops and steroid nasal sprays such as Beconase, Avamys, Rhinolast and Dymista. For severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe taking two different antihistamines together. As Telfast is a non-drowsy antihistamine, a doctor may advise you to take a sedating antihistamine at night to help you sleep

Can Telfast be used for other allergies?

Telfast can be used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites and stings.

Can Telfast be taken long term?

Telfast can be taken for an extended period of time, such as treating hay fever during months when the pollen count is high. It can also be taken on one-off occasions, such as in the event of a troublesome insect bite. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure how long you should be taking Telfast for.

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