I am taking antihistamines for urticaria; the redness on my skin has disappeared. Can I stop taking the medicines?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have urticaria or hives and have been under antihistamines for five weeks. For the last six days, I had to take a high dose of tablet Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 180 mg four times daily. The redness on my skin has disappeared. Can I stop taking the medicines? If so, should it be done gradually, and how? Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is not safe to abruptly stop the antihistamines (medications for allergy); the best way is to taper it down gradually. As you take tablet Fexofenadine 180 mg four times daily, make it thrice daily for two days, then twice daily for two days, and once daily for the two consecutive days. Then, make it 120 mg once daily for a week and stop. However, after stopping the antihistamine, wait for a week and do a skin prick test (checks for immediate allergic reactions to many different substances at the same time) as it is important to rule out the cause for urticaria (a skin rash triggered as a response to food, medicines or other irritants). I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is good that you have identified the cause, so there is nothing to worry about. Take care. Revert for further queries.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can start doing sports, and I suggest you have wine occasionally not exceeding one or two glasses, for a few weeks. You may also have foods high in histamine (such as fermented foods, dairy products, avocados, spinach, etc.), but I suggest you start slowly over days. I hope this helps.