Telfast general information

What is Telfast used for?

Telfast tablets 120mg are used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergy to pollen, also known as hay fever, and perennial allergy, such as allergy to animal fur, mould and house dust mites, which both cause allergic rhinitis with symptoms including nasal congestion, runny itchy nose, sneezing, tearing, itchy, red, and puffy eyes and problems sleeping. Telfast tablets 120mg are also used to relieve symptoms of allergic skin conditions like urticaria (hives), which is an allergic reaction of the skin, usually to a medicine, food, a bee or wasp sting, or direct contact with an allergen like latex; or chronic urticaria, which is often due to autoimmune disease, and appears as red, raised, itchy lumps on the skin. Telfast tablets 10mg relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction but do not cure the allergy.

How does Telfast work?

Telfast tablets 120mg contain fexofenadine, an antihistamine that blocks the action of histamine, a chemical released from mast cells during an allergic reaction. Histamine is released in response to allergens like pollen and binds to the H1 receptor in small blood vessels causing them to become leaky, allowing white blood cells and blood proteins into the tissues; and this causes tissue swelling and irritation. Fexofenadine in Telfast tablets 120mg is an H1 receptor antagonist, and by blocking histamine binding to its receptor Telfast tablets 10mg reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused histamine, like nasal congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing, or the symptoms of urticaria (hives), like red, raised, itchy lumps on the skin. Telfast tablets 120mg have a long-lasting effect and are non sedative, (does not cause drowsiness), because the receptor binding action of fexofenadine is specific to peripheral H1 receptors in blood vessels rather than the H1 receptors in the central nervous system.

What does Telfast contain?

Telfast tablets 120mg contain the active ingredient fexofenadine hydrochloride, an antihistamine used to reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis or urticaria (hives). They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinised maize starch, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone, titanium dioxide (E171), colloidal silicon dioxide. macrogol 400, iron oxide, hypromellose.

What doses of Telfast are available?

Telfast tablets are available in 2 doses:

• 60mg tablets in packets of 20 tablets
• 120mg tablets in packets of 10 tablets

Treating allergy with Telfast

Telfast tablets 120mg contain fexofenadine, an antihistamine that is used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergy like hay fever, perennial allergy (animal fur, mould and house dust mites), and urticaria (hives), and reduce the symptoms caused by the actions of histamine, like nasal congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing in allergic rhinitis, and red, raised, itchy lumps on the skin in urticaria. Fexofenadine in Telfast tablets 120mg blocks the action of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions in respose to allergens like pollen, which causes small blood vessels to leak, allowing white blood cells and blood proteins into the tissues, resulting in tissue swelling and irritation. Telfast tablets 120mg have a long-lasting effect and are non-sedative, (does not cause drowsiness), because fexofenadine binds to specific to histamine (H1) receptors in blood vessels rather than in the central nervous system.

What are the side effects of Telfast?

Telfast tablets 10mg are generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported side effects when taking Telfast tablets 10mg include: fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and headache.

When should Telfast not be used?

You should not use Telfast tablets 120mg if you:

• are allergic to fexofenadine or any ingredients in Telfast tablets 10mg
• are pregnant or breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have taken an antacid containing aluminium and magnesium hydroxide within 2 hours
• are taking medications like the antifungal ketoconazole, the antibiotic erythromycin or cimetidine for peptic ulcers, which may increase the blood levels of fexofenadine

How should Telfast be taken?

You should take Telfast tablets 120mg with a glass of water once daily with or without food, for as long as recommended by your pharmacist.

Missed dose of Telfast

If you miss a dose of Telfast tablets 120mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Telfast be stored?

You should keep your Telfast tablets 120mg in their blister packs until use. Store at room temperature below 25°C and keep protected from direct sunlight.