Allegra in Spain: Fexofenadine, Prescription Rules
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 4 November 2026
Allegra is not sold in Spain, but fexofenadine is.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
You will not find Allegra in Spain under that name; ask for fexofenadina. The Telfast name is used in Spain too, for a hay fever pack sold without a prescription. Hives packs need one. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, an English-speaking GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280) who sees patients by video in English and Spanish.
In short
- Allegra is not sold in Spain. Ask for fexofenadina. It is the same ingredient.
- Telfast, for hay fever, is sold without a prescription. Fexofenadina Opella, for chronic hives, needs one.
- Spanish tablet leaflets do not recommend fexofenadine for children under 12.
- In pregnancy, take it only if a doctor recommends it.
What is Allegra called in Spain?
Allegra is a US brand name. In Spain you ask for the ingredient. Fexofenadine is fexofenadina in Spanish. The Spanish medicines database, CIMA, lists these products:
| Product in Spain | Main use on the leaflet | Prescription? |
|---|---|---|
| Telfast | Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) | No |
| Generics (marked EFG), such as Riniwel and Fexofenadina Cipla | Hay fever or chronic hives, depending on the pack | Depends on the pack |
| Fexofenadina Opella | Chronic hives (chronic idiopathic urticaria) | Yes |
You may know the Telfast name from the UK. In Spain it covers only the hay fever pack. The UK Telfast pack for hives is sold in Spain as Fexofenadina Opella. US Allegra-D is a different product. It also contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. Tell the pharmacist or doctor exactly which product you used at home.
Do you need a prescription for fexofenadine in Spain?
It depends on the pack. Hay fever packs, such as Telfast, are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. The pack for chronic hives, Fexofenadina Opella, needs one. Generic packs vary. Look for sin receta (no prescription) or con receta (prescription) on the box. You can also ask the pharmacist.
A doctor can prescribe the prescription-only pack where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation.
What is fexofenadine used for?
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction. The Spanish leaflets describe it as non-drowsy. They list two uses in adults and teenagers aged 12 and over:
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis): sneezing, an itchy, runny or blocked nose, and itchy, red or watery eyes.
- Chronic hives (chronic idiopathic urticaria): itching, swelling and rash.
MedlinePlus notes that it controls these symptoms but does not cure them. Our seasonal allergies page covers other ways to manage the pollen season.
Who should not take fexofenadine, or should check first?
Do not take it if you are allergic to fexofenadine or any ingredient in the tablet. The NHS advises checking with a doctor or pharmacist first if you:
- Have liver or kidney problems.
- Have heart problems now, or have had them in the past.
- Are due to have an allergy test. It may affect the results.
- Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Spanish leaflets say not to take it in pregnancy unless a doctor recommends it. They do not recommend it while breastfeeding. They also do not recommend these tablets for children under 12. UK rules allow the tablets from age 6, so do not go by the rules at home. For a younger child, ask a doctor first.
Other medicines and drinks. Antacids with aluminium or magnesium can reduce how much your body absorbs. Leave a gap between the two, and ask the pharmacist how long. Fruit juices such as orange, grapefruit or apple can also make it work less well. The antibiotic erythromycin and the antifungal ketoconazole can raise fexofenadine levels. Apalutamide, a prostate cancer medicine, can make it work less well.
Side effects. The Telfast leaflet lists headache, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness as common. Most people do not feel sleepy, but some do. Check how you feel before you drive.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms do not improve, or get worse, despite treatment.
- Hives keep coming back, or come with a fever or feeling unwell.
- You get a wheeze, a cough or a tight chest with your allergy.
- A child under 12 has allergy symptoms.
Call 112 if your lips, tongue or throat swell, you have trouble breathing, or you feel faint. These can be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Can I use my UK or US prescription in Spain?
In practice, no. Spanish pharmacies refuse foreign prescriptions, including those from the UK and the US. For a prescription-only pack, a doctor licensed in Spain has to issue a Spanish private electronic prescription. The hay fever pack needs no prescription at all. Our guide to medicines in Spain explains how this works.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Allegra in Spain?
Not under that name. Ask the pharmacist for fexofenadina, the ingredient in Allegra. Telfast, for hay fever, is sold without a prescription.
Is Telfast the same in Spain as in the UK?
The hay fever pack has the same name and ingredient. The UK hives pack is sold in Spain as Fexofenadina Opella. That pack needs a prescription.
Can children take fexofenadine in Spain?
The Spanish tablet leaflets do not recommend it for children under 12. Ask a doctor about allergy treatment for a younger child.
Can I take fexofenadine while pregnant?
The Spanish leaflet says to take it only if a doctor recommends it. It is not recommended while breastfeeding.
In an emergency, call 112. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion, where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation.
Getting a medical assessment
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by private video call, in English or Spanish. Visits run every day from 07:30 to 20:30, Spain time. Same-day appointments are available. The Urgent Care video visit lasts 15 minutes and costs €50. It is for urgent, non-emergency care. He checks your symptoms, your other medicines and your health history before giving advice. Book a video visit.
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Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following sources.
