Do you notice that your allergies worsen as the seasons change?
Seasonal allergies are typically triggered by your body’s immune response to pollen, a material generated by trees and other plants. When these allergies strike, our bodies respond by producing unpleasant symptoms. Over-the-counter drugs are your best option to help relieve your symptoms when this happens. Let’s look at one of the best treatment options for seasonal allergies and find out ‘What is fexofenadine hydrochloride used for?’
Uses of fexofenadine tablets?
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medication used to relieve allergy symptoms. The medicine is used to treat the following conditions:
- Certain food allergies
- Hay Fever
- Eczema
- Hives
- Reactions caused by insect bites and stings
The plus point of using fexofenadine is that it is a non-drowsy antihistamine. It will not make you sleepy like some other antihistamines. [1]
How does fexofenadine help with hay fever and allergies?
Histamine is a valuable substance; however, it causes unpleasant symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny or plugged nose, sneezing, and skin rashes in an allergic reaction. Fexofenadine inhibits the effects of Histamine and thereby alleviates these symptoms. [1]
What are the side effects of fexofenadine?
Like all medications, fexofenadine also has side effects ranging from common to severe (rare). You should consult your doctor if these side effects worsen or don’t go away. Some of the side effects are mentioned below.
Common
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headaches that won’t go way
- Feeling dizzy
Severe
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Fexofenadine can induce a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in rare situations. This shows in the form of a skin rash, asthma, difficulty speaking or breathing, chest tightness, swelling in the mouth, throat, or lips, etc.
If you experience these severe side effects, get help immediately by calling 111. [1]
What to be careful about when taking fexofenadine?
Individuals who are self-treating with an over-the-counter product are advised to read all of the recommendations on the product package before taking this medication. If your doctor has recommended this medication, take it exactly as advised, generally twice daily (every 12 hours).
Avoid ingesting antacids with aluminium and magnesium in them within 2 hours after taking this medication. These antacids can reduce fexofenadine absorption.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should see their doctor before using this medication. This medication’s effects may be more severe in older people. Before taking fexofenadine, consult your doctor if you are 65 or older. [3]
Fruit juices like grapefruit juice can reduce the amount of fexofenadine absorbed by your body, decreasing the drug’s effectiveness. Take fexofenadine at least 4 hours after drinking fruit juice to avoid this interaction. You can also wait 2 hours after taking fexofenadine before drinking fruit juice. Take fexofenadine pills with water rather than juice. You should also avoid taking fexofenadine if you are drinking alcohol. When the medications are used with alcohol, they can cause extreme drowsiness. [2]
Are there any home remedies that may help treat seasonal allergies?
Various home remedies have assisted people in alleviating the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as hay fever. However, the credibility of these claims varies. Here are a few hay fever home remedies you could try:
- Some people find relief from nasal douching with salt water, which helps eliminate allergens trapped within the nasal canals. In some pharmacies, you can also find saltwater sachets for the same reason.
- Vaseline may also provide some nasal relief. Even though the product is mainly used for skincare, pollen-prone people have started applying a layer of it inside their noses and beneath their eyes to trap pollen, with the jelly acting as an efficient barrier. It’s a strange solution, but it’s undoubtedly less bothersome than dealing with moderate hay fever symptoms.
- Chamomile tea may help reduce symptoms because it includes antihistamines and has historically been used as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Peppermint may also help ease nasal congestion as peppermint oil contains menthol components. [4]
Moreover, here are a few home remedies you can try to ease common side effects of hay fever:
- Headache: Rest and stay hydrated. You shouldn’t consume any alcoholic drinks, especially Champagne. Take a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Dizziness: Take rest and lay down until you do not feel dizzy anymore, then get up slowly. Make slow and careful movements. Avoid consuming coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs. If the feeling of dizziness doesn’t go away after a couple of days, consult your pharmacist or doctor.
- Dry mouth: Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
- Drowsiness: Try a different non-drowsy anti-histamine. If that doesn’t help, consult your doctor.
- Nausea: Have simple meals and cut out rich or spicy food. [1]
Treatment options
You will find a variety of treatments for seasonal allergies on e- Surgery, including Fexofenadine Hydrochloride tablets. Consult your doctor before starting any new medication to rule out any medication interactions.
Other treatment options include eyedrops and nasal sprays. You can order Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops, Beconase Nasal Spray, and Avamys Nasal Spray online. Not sure which nasal spray is right for you? Check out our handy guide to deciding on the best nasal spray for hay fever!
Sources
- Fexofenadine: antihistamine that relieves allergy symptoms | NHS
- Allegra vs. Zyrtec: How Do They Differ? | healthline.com
- Fexofenadine Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing | WebMD
- ᐅ Mild Hay Fever Symptoms & Effective Treatments | e-Surgery
