TELFAST 180/MG TAB 15/TAB

Indications

Approved Uses

Symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis and treatment of uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Off-Label Uses

Off-label: allergic conjunctivitis and physical urticarias (e.g., dermographism/cold urticaria); in refractory chronic urticaria, specialist-guided up-dosing (up to 4× standard dose) is used.

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (Adults and children ≥12 years): 60mg twice daily or 180mg once daily. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (Adults and children ≥12 years): 60mg twice daily or 180mg once daily.

Initial Dose

180 mg once daily.

Maintenance Dose

180 mg once daily.

Maximum Dose

180 mg per day for approved indications.

Children's Dosage

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (6 to 11 years): 30mg twice daily. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (6 months to 11 years): 30mg twice daily for children 2-11 years; 15mg twice daily for children 6 months to <2 years. The 180mg strength is not approved for children under 12 years.

Dose Adjustment Notes

Renal impairment: start with 60 mg once daily (especially when renal function is decreased); no adjustment is generally required for hepatic impairment; in the elderly, adjust only if renal function is reduced.

How to Take

Swallow the film‑coated tablet whole with water; may be taken with or without food; avoid taking with fruit juices (e.g., grapefruit, orange, apple).

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue (and occasionally drowsiness).

Side Effect Frequency

Common: headache, nausea, dizziness, somnolence (rates vary by source but generally in the ~1-10% range); Uncommon/Rare: palpitations/tachycardia and hypersensitivity reactions (including angioedema/anaphylaxis) are rare.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to fexofenadine hydrochloride or to any excipients.

Warnings & Precautions

Use with caution in renal impairment; avoid/limit fruit juices (apple/orange/grapefruit) around dosing; separate aluminum/magnesium antacids by ~2 hours; discontinue and seek care if hypersensitivity occurs; use caution in patients with cardiovascular disease due to rare palpitations/tachycardia reports.

Age Restriction

TELFAST 180 mg is generally indicated for adults and adolescents ≥12 years; not recommended/approved for children <12 years for this strength.

Driving Warning

Does not cause drowsiness

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

Antacids containing aluminum/magnesium reduce absorption (separate by ~2 hours); erythromycin/ketoconazole can increase fexofenadine exposure; fruit juices (apple/orange/grapefruit) can reduce bioavailability-avoid or separate.

Interaction Severity

MODERATE: aluminum/magnesium-containing antacids (reduced absorption-separate by ~2 hours); erythromycin and ketoconazole (increase fexofenadine exposure). MINOR: fruit juices (reduced absorption).

Food Interaction

Avoid fruit juices (grapefruit/orange/apple) around dosing; otherwise it can be taken with or without food (take with water).

Alcohol Interaction

Safe

Special Populations

Children

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (6 to 11 years): 30mg twice daily. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (6 months to 11 years): 30mg twice daily for children 2-11 years; 15mg twice daily for children 6 months to <2 years. The 180mg strength is not approved for children under 12 years.

Elderly

Standard adult dosing, but adjust for decreased renal function if present.

Kidney Impairment

Renal impairment: start with 60 mg once daily (instead of 180 mg), particularly when CrCl <80 mL/min; avoid 180 mg as the starting dose in renal impairment.

Storage & Patient Advice

Missed Dose

Take as soon as remembered; skip if near the time of the next dose; do not double the dose

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop anytime

Overdose

Symptoms may include dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth (± tachycardia); manage with symptomatic/supportive care, consider decontamination if recent ingestion; hemodialysis is not effective; seek urgent medical attention.

Patient Counseling

Take 1 tablet (180 mg) once daily with water; avoid grapefruit/orange/apple juice; separate aluminum/magnesium antacids by at least 2 hours; usually non‑drowsy but assess individual response before driving; store below 30°C; seek medical advice if symptoms persist/worsen or if signs of severe allergy occur.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Selective peripheral H1‑receptor antagonist that blocks histamine-mediated symptoms with minimal CNS penetration.

Duration of Effect

Approximately 24 hours (once‑daily effect) for the 180 mg dose.

Half-Life

Approximately 14 hours (commonly reported range ~11-15 hours).

Metabolism

Minimal metabolism (about ≤5%); not meaningfully CYP450-mediated.

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

For this SFDA-registered product: film‑coated tablet (180 mg).

Composition per Dose

Each film-coated tablet: 180mg fexofenadine hydrochloride

Generic Availability

Yes

OTC Alternatives

Other OTC second‑generation antihistamines: cetirizine 10 mg, loratadine 10 mg, levocetirizine 5 mg (and desloratadine where available).

Symptom Target

Allergy

Sedating

No

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 17-06-2026