This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Common side effects of acrivastine
The most common side effect of acrivastine is feeling sleepy and tired. This happens in more than 1 in 10 people.
Other common side effects of acrivastine happen in more than 1 in 100 people.
There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Feeling sleepy and tired
Try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until you feel better, and fully alert and awake.
Dry mouth
Try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets.
Feeling dizzy
If acrivastine makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, then get up slowly.
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery. Do not drink alcohol, as this can make the symptoms worse.
Speak to your doctor if the dizziness gets worse or does not go away.
Keep taking acrivastine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
If you take a medicine that contains acrivastine and pseudoephedrine, you might also get some of the side effects of pseudoephedrine.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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