Telfast is a tablet medication used to alleviate symptoms of hay fever. This substance contains the active ingredient fexofenadine hydrochloride, which belongs to the group of medications known as antihistamines. When you suffer from an allergic reaction caused by hay fever, your immune system acts up, causing your body to release a chemical. This chemical is called histamine. An antihistamine prevents the reactions. Telfast can be used to treat the effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis and is particularly effective for people who want to avoid the drowsiness caused by other forms of antihistamine. It is possible to take Telfast alongside other drugs intended for the treatment of hay fever symptoms, such as eye drops and some creams.
Telfast
Telfast is a brand name title given to a prescription medication for hay fever or allergies. These tablets include an active ingredient in the form of Fexofenadine. This substance is available without the Telfast name attached to it. Fexofenadine is an antihistamine, which is effective at reducing the symptoms of hay fever, such as itching and sneezing.
Telfast is a non-drowsy form of hay fever medication. It can be taken on a daily basis to relieve symptoms with moderate success
What is Telfast?
Telfast is a tablet medication used to alleviate symptoms of hay fever. This substance contains the active ingredient fexofenadine hydrochloride, which belongs to the group of medications known as antihistamines. When you suffer from an allergic reaction caused by hay fever, your immune system acts up, causing your body to release a chemical. This chemical is called histamine. An antihistamine prevents the reactions.
Telfast can be used to treat the effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis and is particularly effective for people who want to avoid the drowsiness caused by other forms of antihistamine. It is possible to take Telfast alongside other drugs intended for the treatment of hay fever symptoms, such as eye drops and some creams.
When is Telfast used?
Telfast is typically used for the treatment of hay fever in adults and children who at least six years of age. It can also be a treatment for the long-term condition caused by itchy rashes in adults and adolescents over the age of 12.
Currently, it is only possible to purchase Telfast in the UK with a prescription. The fexofenadine in Telfast does not cause drowsiness, which makes this medication a good alternative to other forms of medication for hay-fever.
It can address symptoms such as:
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchiness or discomfort
- Inflammation of the airways eyes or nose
- Skin reactions
- Redness around the eyes
In some cases, Telfast is used to address a condition called idiopathic urticaria, which is similar to the kind of hives that a person can get when they seem to get rashes for no apparent cause. Telfast can block the histamine actions that causes the itching in this condition.
How do you use Telfast?
The way you use Telfast will depend on your condition. Your doctor will provide you with guidance on how to use the antihistamine effectively. It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor at length before taking this medication. If you are taking Telfast for allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, then your doctor will usually recommend only using this medication when needed. This will generally reduce occasional allergic symptoms very well, upon onset. Your doctor might also suggest that you will need to take a dose of Telfast if you believe that you will soon experience the symptoms of hay fever. For instance, if you regularly track the pollen count in your area you may be able to see when you need to take Telfast before symptoms occur.
If you are using Telfast to treat the chronic urticaria condition, then you will need to continuously take your medication once every day for a specific length of time. Your doctor will give you a dosage and tell you how long to take the medication according to his or her perception of your condition. Usually, you will take this drug until your rash begins to improve. Telfast will need to be swallowed whole with a glass of water or another non-alcoholic drink. It's a good idea to take this medication with food to avoid stomach upset, but it may not be necessary for everyone. It is most effective to take Telfast if you take it before the symptoms of an allergic reaction begin to appear.
What dosages are available?
Telfast generally contains 120 mg of fexofenadine per dose. For the treatment of children aged six to eleven years old, the typical dose of Telfast is one 30mg tablet (a reduced dose) twice a day. This will be prescribed by a doctor. Your doctor will often recommend taking this tablet once on a morning and once on an evening each day during times with high pollen counts. For hay fever in adults and people over the age of 12 the recommended dose may increase to a single 120 mg tablet taken once a day. For the treatment of chronic urticaria in adolescents or adults the dosage can increase to one 180mg tablet per day.
If you are taking Telfast once a day as a precaution against hay fever, or for the treatment of chronic urticaria and you forget to take your medication at the right time, do not take a double dose to make up for the missed tablet. You can take the tablet as soon as you remember, however, if you are not going over the recommended allowance for the 24 hour period.
What are the side effects of Telfast?
All medications, including Telfast may come with possible side effects that you should pay attention to. Remember that just because a side effect is listed on medication doesn't mean that you will experience it. Additionally, there is a possibility that you will experience side effects that are not listed here. If you experience any negative response to Telfast and you are concerned, stop taking the tablets and contact your doctor.
Common side effects of Telfast include:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Feeling nauseous or sick
You may also experience some less common side effects when taking Telfast, including sleep disturbances, awareness of your heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, increased experiences of nervousness, or skin reactions, such as rashes.
As a non-drowsy antihistamine, Telfast should not make you feel overly sleepy. However, there is a chance that you might experience drowsiness when taking this medication anyway. If you do feel drowsy or unable to concentrate as normal when using Telfast, make sure that you do not operate machinery or drive when using this substance. If you feel sleepy when taking Telfast, you should avoid drinking alcohol when using it, as this could make your condition worse.
Allergic reactions to Telfast are very rare. However, pay attention to any signs of a severe allergic reaction, including tightness in your chest, swelling of the tongue lips or throat, swelling of the face, or difficulty breathing.
When shouldn't you use Telfast?
If you are scheduled to have any tests to diagnose potential allergies, then you should stop taking this substance for at least 3 days before your appointment. Using Telfast can lessen your skin reactions that would indicate the presence of an allergy. Telfast is not suitable for children under the age of 6, and it will not be suitable for anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of Telfast. Some people will need additional monitoring when taking Telfast, including elderly people and those with a history of heart disease. People who suffer from epilepsy should use Telfast with caution.
Limited information is available on the interactions that Telfast has with pregnancy, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this substance. Telfast will pass into breast milk. Speak to your doctor if you are concerned that Telfast might not be suitable for you.
Does Telfast interact with any other medications?
Telfast may interact with a number of different medications. Before you begin taking any new drug, including Telfast, it is important to speak with your doctor and share a full list of medications that you have recently taken or are currently taking. Before you begin using Telfast, make sure your doctor is aware of all of the drugs you have on prescription, and medications taken over the counter. You should also let your doctor know about any herbal remedies or supplements that you are using. Do not begin using any new medications when taking Telfast, without talking to your doctor. Do not take any antacids that contain magnesium or aluminium within two hours of using Telfast. These antiacids will reduce the absorption of Telfast and make them less effective.
Speak to your doctor before using Telfast if you are using:
- Medicines for the treatment of low blood pressure, such as midodrine
- Medications that treat fungal infections like ketoconazole
- Certain antibiotics such as erythromycin
- Medicines used for the treatment of HIV infections like lopinavir and ritonavir
- Antibiotics like rifampicin
- Remedies for indigestion
- Any medication that might make it difficult for you to urinate
- Any medication that would make you more drowsy than normal
- Drugs that would give you a sensation of dry mouth
Where can you buy Telfast?
Telfast is available to buy safely from registered pharmacies both online and offline. However, you will need to first have a consultation with your doctor and be given a prescription for this medication before you can buy it in the UK. A consultation will ensure that Telfast is correct for treating your condition.
Can you get Telfast without a prescription?
It is not possible to purchase Telfast without a prescription in the UK. You will need to speak to your doctor or an approved doctor to make sure that this medication is suitable for you and that it will not interact with any medications you are taking. If you are not able to take Telfast, your doctor will often recommend an alternative treatment.
References
NHS website, Telfast, Fexofenadine, online, [Accessed on the 20th of June 2019], Available on: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fexofenadine/
Telfast, Australia, Sanofi-Aventis Australia Lts, Telfast tables, online, [Accessed on the 20th of June 2019], Available on: https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/telfast-tablets