Fenistil
Ask a doctor about a prescription for Fenistil
How to use Fenistil
Leaflet attached to the packaging: patient information
Warning! Keep the leaflet! Information on the immediate packaging in a foreign language.
Fenistil
1 mg/ml, oral drops, solution
Dimetindene maleate
Read the leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.
This medicine should always be taken exactly as described in this patient leaflet or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.
- Keep this leaflet, so you can read it again if you need to.
- If you need advice or additional information, consult a pharmacist.
- If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should inform their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. See section 4.
- If there is no improvement after 7 days or if the patient feels worse, they should contact their doctor.
Table of contents of the leaflet:
- 1. What is Fenistil and what is it used for
- 2. Important information before taking Fenistil
- 3. How to take Fenistil
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Fenistil
- 6. Contents of the packaging and other information
1. What is Fenistil and what is it used for
Fenistil contains dimetindene maleate, which belongs to the group of antihistamine medicines. It inhibits the action of histamine - a substance responsible for allergic reactions. It relieves itching and irritation caused by skin rash, reduces swelling, and also relieves symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as runny nose (cold), sneezing, nasal itching, and eye itching and tearing.
- After oral administration, the effect of the medicine starts after 30-60 minutes and lasts for 8 to 12 hours.
- Fenistil is used to treat symptoms of allergic diseases:
- skin: urticaria, itching in atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, endogenous eczema,
- respiratory system: seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and chronic allergic rhinitis (e.g., house dust allergy, pet hair, feathers). The medicine is used to treat symptomatic food allergies and drug allergies, as well as to relieve itching associated with infectious diseases (e.g., chickenpox). It can be used to relieve symptoms after insect bites and to prevent allergic reactions during desensitization treatment. If there is no improvement after 7 days or if the patient feels worse, they should contact their doctor.
2. Important information before taking Fenistil
When not to take Fenistil in the form of oral drops:
- if the patient is allergic to dimetindene maleate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
- in newborns up to the age of 1 month, especially premature babies.
Warnings and precautions
Before starting to take Fenistil, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist, or nurse.
- patients with glaucoma,
- patients with urinary retention caused by, for example, prostate enlargement,
- patients with epilepsy,
- elderly patients.
Elderly patients should consult their doctor before taking this medicine, as they are more susceptible to the side effects of this medicine, such as excitement and fatigue. The medicine should not be taken by elderly patients with disorientation.
Children and adolescents
Antihistamines in young children can cause excitement. The use of Fenistil in infants from 1 month to 1 year of age and in children under 6 years of age should be done on the advice of a doctor. The medicine should not be taken by children under 1 month of age.
Fenistil and other medicines
The patient should tell their doctor about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, including those that are available without a prescription.
- antidepressants,
- anticholinergic medicines, such as bronchodilators (medicines used to treat asthma and bronchospasm), medicines used to treat abdominal cramps (medicines used to prevent stomach and intestinal cramps), medicines that dilate the pupils, urological antispasmodic medicines (medicines used to treat symptoms of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder),
- sedatives,
- antiepileptic medicines (medicines used to treat epilepsy),
- opioid analgesics,
- antihistamines (medicines used to treat common cold, cough, or other allergies),
- antiemetic medicines,
- procarbazine (a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer),
- scopolamine (a medicine used to prevent motion sickness),
- alcohol.
Taking Fenistil with alcohol
Like other antihistamines, Fenistil may enhance the effects of alcohol.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Fenistil should not be taken during pregnancy, unless the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risk to the fetus. The medicine should only be taken under medical supervision. Fenistil should not be taken by breastfeeding women.
Driving and using machines
As with other antihistamines, Fenistil may impair psychomotor performance in some patients. Therefore, patients taking Fenistil in the form of oral drops should be cautious when driving vehicles or operating machinery.
Fenistil contains benzoes acid, propylene glycol, and sodium.
The medicine contains 2 mg of benzoes acid per dose (40 drops), which corresponds to 1 mg/ml. Benzoes acid may increase the risk of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) in newborns (up to 4 weeks of life).
- up to 4 weeks of life.
The medicine contains 200 mg of propylene glycol per dose (40 drops), which corresponds to 100 mg/ml. Before administering the medicine to a child under 4 weeks of age, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist, especially if the child is taking other medicines that contain propylene glycol or alcohol. The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per dose (40 drops), which means the medicine is considered "sodium-free".
3. How to take Fenistil
Fenistil should always be taken exactly as described in this patient leaflet or as directed by a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. If in doubt, the patient should consult their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. The recommended dose should not be exceeded.
Adults and children over 6 years of age:
The medicine should not be taken for more than 7 days. If there is no improvement after 7 days or if the patient feels worse, they should contact their doctor.
Adults and children over 12 years of age
The daily dose is 3-6 mg of dimetindene, taken in 3 divided doses. It is recommended to take 20-40 drops 3 times a day.
In patients with a tendency to drowsiness, 40 drops should be taken before bedtime and 20 drops in the morning, during breakfast.
Children under 12 years of age
The recommended daily dose is 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day, taken in 3 divided doses, for example:
6 drops 3 times a day in the case of an 8-month-old infant weighing 9 kg.
8 drops 3 times a day in the case of a 2-year-old child weighing 12 kg.
The maximum daily dose should not be exceeded, which is:
Age Maximum daily dose
1 month - 1 year 1.5 mg 30 drops
- 1-3 years 2.25 mg 45 drops
- 3-12 years 3 mg 60 drops
20 drops = 1 ml = 1 mg of dimetindene
Infants from 1 month to 1 year of age and children under 6 years of age:
The use of Fenistil in infants from 1 month to 1 year of age and in children under 6 years of age should be done on the advice of a doctor.
Fenistil should not be exposed to high temperatures. If the infant is bottle-fed, the medicine should be added to the bottle with warm food immediately before feeding. If the infant is spoon-fed, the drops can be given undiluted, on a small teaspoon.
Elderly patients
Elderly patients should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
Taking a higher dose of Fenistil than recommended
In case of taking a higher dose of Fenistil than recommended, the patient should immediately consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Symptoms of overdose are: drowsiness (mainly in adults), central nervous system stimulation (mainly in children and elderly patients), including stimulation, coordination disorders, hallucinations, tremors, convulsions, and urinary retention and fever. Hypotension, coma, and cardiovascular and respiratory collapse may occur.
Missing a dose of Fenistil
In case of missing a dose, the patient should take it as soon as possible, unless there are less than 2 hours left until the next dose. In this case, the patient should take the medicine at the usual time. The patient should not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Fenistil can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The patient should STOP taking the medicine and immediately consult their doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of an allergic reaction:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- severe itching of the skin with red rash or blisters, muscle cramps.
These symptoms are very rare(may occur in less than 1 in 10,000 people). Other side effects that may occur are usually mild and temporary. The most common side effects occur especially at the beginning of treatment.
Very common(may occur in more than 1 in 10 people taking the medicine): fatigue.
Common(occur in less than 1 in 10 people taking the medicine): drowsiness, nervousness.
Rare(may occur in less than 1 in 1,000 people taking the medicine): stimulation, headaches, dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, dry mouth, dry throat.
If any of the side effects get worse or if the patient experiences any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should inform their doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting side effects
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should inform their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products: Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, tel. +48 22 49 21 301, fax: +48 22 49 21 309, website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl.
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder or parallel importer.
Reporting side effects will help to gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
5. How to store Fenistil
Store in a temperature below 25°C. Store in the original packaging to protect from light.
The medicine should be stored in a place that is out of sight and reach of children.
The medicine should not be taken after the expiry date stated on the carton and bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the packaging and other information
What Fenistil contains
- The active substance of the medicine is dimetindene maleate. 1 ml of Fenistil contains 1 mg of dimetindene maleate.
- Other ingredients of the medicine are propylene glycol, benzoes acid, disodium edetate, disodium phosphate dodecahydrate, citric acid monohydrate, sodium saccharin, purified water.
What Fenistil looks like and what the packaging contains
Fenistil is a clear, colorless to light yellow-brown solution, in an orange glass bottle with a polyethylene dropper and a polypropylene child-resistant cap, placed in a cardboard box.
Available packaging:20 ml
Marketing authorization holder in Bulgaria, the country of export:
Haleon Hungary Kft.
Csörsz utca 43
1124 Budapest
Hungary
Manufacturer:
Haleon Germany GmbH
Barthstrasse 4
80339 Munich
Germany
Parallel importer:
Allpharm Sp. z o.o. sp.k.
ul. M. Zdziechowskiego 11/4
02-659 Warsaw
Repackaged by:
CEFEA Sp. z o.o. Sp. komandytowa
ul. Działkowa 56
02-234 Warsaw
Shiraz Productions Sp. z o.o.
ul. Tymiankowa 24/28
95-054 Ksawerów
Marketing authorization number in Bulgaria, the country of export:20000512
Parallel import authorization number:55/23
Date of leaflet approval: 17.07.2025
[Information about the trademark]
Synoptis Industrial Sp. z o.o.
ul. Forteczna 35-37
87-100 Toruń
- Country of registration
- Active substance
- Prescription requiredNo
- Marketing authorisation holder (MAH)GlaxoSmithKline Dungarvan Ltd.
- This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed doctor before taking any medication. Oladoctor is not responsible for medical decisions based on this content.
- Alternatives to FenistilDosage form: Drops, 1 mg/mlActive substance: dimetindenePrescription not requiredDosage form: Drops, 1 mg/mlActive substance: dimetindenePrescription not requiredDosage form: Drops, 1 mg/mlActive substance: dimetindenePrescription not required
Alternatives to Fenistil in other countries
The best alternatives with the same active ingredient and therapeutic effect.
Alternative to Fenistil in Ukraine
Alternative to Fenistil in Spain
Online doctors for Fenistil
Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for Fenistil – subject to medical assessment and local rules.
Get updates and exclusive offers
Be the first to know about new services, marketplace updates, and subscriber-only promos.
