Telfast

What is Telfast?

Telfast is an antihistamine that provides quick and effective relief from the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.

Hay fever is caused by the release of histamine, a chemical made by the body in reaction to an allergen such as pollen or dust. This causes inflammation, which leads to the symptoms of hay fever.

Telfast is effective at preventing this because it contains fexofenadine hydrochloride, an antihistamine. This means that it stops histamine from causing the symptoms associated with hay fever. It is available in 120mg & 180mg strengths.

What are Telfast tablets used for?

Telfast is most commonly used to treat the symptoms of hay fever. However, as it contains the antihistamine fexofenadine hydrochloride, it is also effective against other allergies such as dust mites and pets dander.

If additional allergy relief is needed, Telfast tablets can be taken alongside a nasal spray or eye drops. You may find the combination gives you more hay fever relief than either treatment on its own.

Hay fever symptoms

The symptoms of hay fever include:

• Coughing or sneezing
• Itchy, watery or red eyes
• Blocked or runny nose, often accompanied by a loss of smell
• Discomfort in the mouth, throat, ears or nose
• Head or earache
• Fatigue

Asthma sufferers might also experience the following hay fever symptoms:

• Tightness in the chest
• Increased coughing and wheezing
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Telfast alternatives

There are some non-medicinal methods to help you combat symptoms of allergies, such as:

• Wearing wrap-around sunglasses.
• Keeping windows closed on days with a high pollen count.
• Showering as soon as you return home. This will remove any trapped pollen grains from your hair or skin.

You can also try using other prescription treatments or over the counter products such as:

• Over the counter tablets such as cetirizine or loratadine
• Prescription antihistamines, such as desloratidine or levocetirizine
• Prescription eye drops, such as Optilast
• Non-prescription eye drops, such as Opticrom
• Prescription nasal sprays, such as Dymista
• Over the counter nasal sprays, such as Beclometasone Nasal Spray

You should try these before moving onto a prescription only medicine.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride and high blood pressure

There is no link between fexofenadine hydrochloride and high blood pressure.

Antihistamines and alcohol

Alcohol is known to increase the side effects of fexofenadine hydrochloride, and so alcohol should be avoided when taking Telfast. If you are going to drink on antihistamines, do so only in moderation and continue to monitor your reactions.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride and asthma

Antihistamines such as Telfast are generally fine for asthmatics to take. However, they can cause side effects in some cases. If you find yourself suffering any adverse side effects, consult your pharmacist or GP immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Fexofenadine hydrochloride should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding unless they have spoken to their GP first, Otherwise, try using an alternative remedy instead such as eye drops or nasal spray.

Telfast 120mg Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1433.pdf

How to take Telfast tablets

Telfast tablets should be taken once daily, ideally at the same time every day. Swallow the tablet whole with a sip of water before a meal.

Telfast is most effective if taken every day. If you miss a dose, do not double your next dose to compensate.

Telfast can be safely taken in addition to a nasal spray and eye drops for hay fever. You should not take Telfast alongside other antihistamines.

Telfast tablet ingredients

The active ingredient in Telfast tablets is:

• Fexofenadine hydrochloride (120mg or 180mg)

Telfast tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients:

• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Pregelatinised maize starch
• Croscarmellose sodium
• Magnesium stearate
• Hypromellose
• Povidone K30
• Titanium dioxide (E171)
• Colloidal anhydrous silica
• Macrogol 400
• Red iron oxide (E172)
• Yellow iron oxide (E172)

Telfast side effects

Some side effects of fexofenadine hydrochloride can include:

• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness

Other less common side effects of Telfast can include:

• Fatigue and sleepiness
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Diarrhoea
• A rash or itchy skin
• Hives

If you are concerned about these side effects or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it immediately and consult with your doctor or pharmacist. For a full list of side effects, check the patient information leaflet.

Telfast warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Telfast will be unsuitable for you if:

• You are allergic to fexofenadine or any of the tablets’ inactive ingredients
• You are currently taking other antihistamine tablets
• You are taking medicines to treat bacterial or fungal infections (e.g. erythromycin, ketoconazole)

Before using Telfast, talk to your GP or pharmacist if you:

• Have a history of heart disease
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are elderly
• Take indigestion medicines which contain aluminium and magnesium

Take care if consuming alcohol while using Telfast – it may increase your susceptibility to side effects.

Please read all packaging and the product information leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.