Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that can help ease symptoms of severe eczema, such as itching. While antihistamines aren't usually the main treatment for eczema, they might be prescribed off-label to help with symptoms triggered by histamine, a chemical responsible for various allergy symptoms.

Eczema is usually managed with steroids to help reduce itching and inflammation. The strength of the steroid will vary based on how severe your condition is. For more serious cases of eczema, you might use strong topical steroids like Dermovate, or oral steroids such as prednisolone if topical treatments aren't sufficient. Antihistamines are generally prescribed only if you're struggling with itching and flare-ups while recovering.

Histamine is a natural chemical released when you encounter allergens, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Fexofenadine works by attaching to histamine receptors, stopping histamine from triggering these symptoms.

Fexofenadine is a second-generation antihistamine, which means it's less likely to make you feel drowsy or give you headaches.

Fexofenadine comes in three doses: 30mg, 120mg, and 180mg. Adults typically take 120mg once daily. If you don't see much improvement with the 120mg dose, your clinician may increase it to 180mg.

Like all medicines, fexofenadine may cause side effects in some individuals. These can include:

headache;

drowsiness;

nausea; and

dizziness.

To see all the side effects, have a look at the patient information leaflet.

No, you can't buy fexofenadine over the counter. It's only available with a prescription. This ensures your doctor can check it's safe and appropriate for you. However, there are some antihistamines you can purchase without a prescription, like loratadine and cetirizine, which are sold under brand names like Clarityn and Zyrtec.

For severe eczema, treatment usually involves both topical and oral steroids. The first choice is often a topical steroid like Dermovate, a strong steroid that helps to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching. If this doesn't provide relief, the next step might be oral steroids such as methylprednisolone and prednisolone. Oral steroids are more potent than topical ones because they work throughout the entire body. However, while they are more effective, they also carry a greater risk of serious side effects. Therefore, oral steroids are generally only suggested when other treatments haven't worked, or in the most severe cases.

Eczema often causes intense itching, and it can be really tempting to scratch. However, scratching can actually worsen your symptoms. It can damage your skin, making you more prone to infections. To break the itch-scratch cycle, antihistamines can help by reducing the sensation of itching. This makes it easier to manage your eczema symptoms.

Avoid taking fexofenadine during pregnancy unless it's absolutely necessary. There's limited information on its effects on your baby, so it's safer to steer clear of it. It's also recommended not to use it while breastfeeding, as small amounts can pass into breast milk.

Eczema doesn't have a cure, so managing flare-ups and symptoms can be challenging. We aim to make it easier by letting you select the medication you prefer. This way, you can pick what you know works best for you. To order online, simply answer a few questions and choose your treatment. We'll deliver it to you the next working day.

We offer an aftercare service, where we'll follow up with you to see how you're getting on during and after your treatment. You can also reach out to our clinicians at any time if you have any worries or questions.