Description

About antihistamine tablets
Dr Fox supplies cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine (Telfast) antihistamine tablets on prescription.

Patients can order one, two, or three months of treatment, which is more than is available without a prescription. Prices are lower on prescription.

Loratadine and cetirizine are medical names for antihistamines. A number of drug companies make these antihistamines, which are sold under various brand names (e.g. Piriteze). Telfast is a brand name for the antihistamine fexofenadine (also available as a generic).

Antihistamine tablets work by blocking the inflammatory effect of histamine.

How to take

• Cetirizine 10mg tablets: take one daily, swallowed with water.
• Loratadine 10mg tablets: take one daily, with or without food.
• Telfast/fexofenadine 120mg tablets: take one daily with water before a meal. Avoid antacids within 2 hours of tablets.

Antihistamine tablets can be combined with hay fever eye drops and nasal sprays.

Cautions and contraindications
People with significant liver or kidney disease or a history of irregular heart rhythms, epilepsy, or porphyria may not be able to take antihistamines and should consult with their regular doctor before treatment. For a detailed study about the effect on heart rhythms see Cardiovascular safety of antihistamines.

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and affect ability to drive and operate machinery.

Cetirizine and loratadine contain lactose.

Skin testing for allergy
All antihistamines will interfere with allergy skin testing. It is recommended to stop taking antihistamine for at least 72 hours before any skin tests.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before taking antihistamines. The manufacturers recommend to avoid them.

Information on antihistamine use in pregnancy: BUMPS (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) – Treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Side effects
All medicines can cause side effects although not everyone gets them.

Cetirizine, loratadine, and Telfast (fexofenadine) are all newer type antihistamines which are less sedative than older types of antihistamine. Older types of antihistamines have raised concerns of dementia risks.

Common side effects: Telfast (fexofenadine) is the only antihistamine supplied by Dr Fox which commonly causes side effects (in up to 1 in 10 people). These can include: headache, drowsiness, feeling sick (nausea), and dizziness.

Serious allergic reactions are rare and require immediate medical attention: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, flushing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Occasionally people experience a rash or itching on stopping cetirizine.

Information on other rarer side effects is found in the patient information leaflets.