Drug interactions
Fexofenadine + Grapefruit
Severity: Moderate
Fexofenadine and Grapefruit: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Grapefruit juice markedly lowers fexofenadine absorption, reducing its plasma levels and possibly its antihistaminic effect. The effect is a loss of efficacy rather than toxicity, and it is not dangerous.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fexofenadine and Grapefruit can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Inhibition of intestinal OATP uptake transporters (and possibly P-gp effects) reduces fexofenadine absorption.
What to do
Take fexofenadine with water rather than grapefruit, apple or orange juice. If juice is consumed, separate it from the dose by several hours.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Fexofenadine
- Danicopan + Fexofenadine Moderate
- Erdafitinib + Fexofenadine Moderate
- Fexofenadine + Glecaprevir / pibrentasvir Moderate
- Fexofenadine + Juice Moderate
- Acrivastine + Fexofenadine Minor
- Amifampridine + Fexofenadine Minor
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fexofenadine with Grapefruit?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fexofenadine and Grapefruit can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Grapefruit juice markedly lowers fexofenadine absorption, reducing its plasma levels and possibly its antihistaminic effect. The effect is a loss of efficacy rather than toxicity, and it is not dangerous.
How serious is the interaction between Fexofenadine and Grapefruit?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Take fexofenadine with water rather than grapefruit, apple or orange juice. If juice is consumed, separate it from the dose by several hours.
What other medicines interact with Fexofenadine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fexofenadine with, for example, Danicopan, Erdafitinib, Glecaprevir / pibrentasvir. The full list is on the Fexofenadine page.
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