Allergy & Hay Fever Medications

Hayfever Tablets and Hay Fever Medication: Antihistamines, Nasal Sprays and Allergy Relief

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, and the sneezing, itchy eyes and blocked nose can last for months. The good news is that hay fever medication is easy to match to your symptoms. Most people start with hayfever tablets, which are antihistamines, then add a nasal spray or eye drops if one symptom stands out. Some of these are pharmacy medicines, which UK law says must be supplied under a pharmacist's supervision, so a pharmacist may ask a few questions first. This range covers hay fever tablets such as Allevia, Galpharm and Piriton, steroid nasal sprays such as Beconase, and a few drug-free options for allergy relief, plus simple advice on choosing between them.

Types of Hay Fever Medication

Hay fever treatment, often called hayfever medicine, usually falls into a few groups, and many people use more than one:

• Non-drowsy antihistamine tablets: Allevia 120mg and Treathay both contain fexofenadine, while Galpharm Hayfever and Allergy Relief contains cetirizine. They are taken once a day and are the usual first choice for hay fever relief.
• Older, drowsy antihistamines: Piriton and generic chlorphenamine 4mg tablets work quickly and also help itchy skin, but they cause drowsiness and are taken every four to six hours.
• Steroid nasal sprays: Beconase Hayfever calms inflammation inside the nose, which makes it a good fit for a blocked or runny nose that tablets alone do not settle. It is for adults aged 18 and over.
• Combination nasal spray: Dymista combines a steroid with an antihistamine for stubborn nasal symptoms. It is a pharmacy medicine, so a pharmacist will check it suits you.
• Decongestants: Sudafed Decongestant Tablets ease a blocked nose for a few days at a time. See our congestion relief range for more.
• Drug-free options: a saline wash such as the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Starter Kit rinses pollen out of the nose without any medicine.

For itchy, watery eyes, our eye drops are worth adding alongside tablets.

Are Hayfever Tablets Antihistamines?

Yes. Hayfever tablets, also called hay fever pills, are antihistamines, which block histamine, the chemical your body releases when pollen triggers an allergic reaction. They are also sold as allergy tablets, and the same medicines can ease reactions to pet dander, dust mites and hives. Antihistamines come in two broad types. Newer, non-drowsy ones such as fexofenadine and cetirizine are far less likely to make you sleepy. Older ones such as chlorphenamine are more sedating, which can help when itching keeps you awake but makes them a poor choice before driving. Other allergy medicine for year-round triggers is in our allergy tablets collection.

Best Hayfever Tablets and Strongest Options: How to Choose

No single tablet is the best for everyone, and there is no official ranking of the strongest hay fever tablets, because people respond differently. A sensible way to choose:

• Daytime hay fever with work or driving: a once-a-day non-drowsy antihistamine such as fexofenadine or cetirizine is the usual starting point.
• Itching or hives that disturb sleep: a drowsy antihistamine such as chlorphenamine may suit the evening, as long as you do not need to drive or operate machinery.
• Blocked nose as the main problem: add a steroid nasal spray, since tablets often do less for congestion.
• Severe hay fever: switching to a stronger tablet is rarely the answer. Combining a tablet with a nasal spray and eye drops usually works better, and a GP can discuss prescription options if that still falls short.

If one antihistamine has not worked well for you, trying a different active ingredient is reasonable. A pharmacist can help you pick.

Hayfever Nasal Sprays, Drops and Inhalers

People often search for a hay fever nasal inhaler or nasal drops, but the standard treatment is a nasal spray. Steroid sprays such as Beconase work best used every day, and the full effect can take a few days to build. If symptoms have not improved after a week, speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Decongestant sprays and drops can bring faster relief, but they should only be used for a few days, because using them for longer can make congestion worse. Asthma inhalers are a different medicine altogether and are not a hay fever treatment.

Hay Fever Medicine for Children

Children's hayfever medication depends on age and weight. Most adult tablets are not suitable for young children, and baby hay fever medicine should only be given on advice. Chlorphenamine 4mg tablets are not recommended under six years, and Beconase is for adults only. Check the age range on the pack, and ask a pharmacist or GP if your child is very young, has asthma or takes other medicines.

Natural Hay Fever Relief and Everyday Habits

For natural relief, the most useful steps are the ones that keep pollen away. The NHS guidance on hay fever suggests:

• showering and changing clothes after being outdoors, so pollen stays out of your bedding
• keeping windows shut when pollen is high, usually mornings and evenings
• drying washing indoors on high pollen days
• wearing wraparound sunglasses and putting a little petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen
• rinsing the nose with a saline wash

Evidence for other home remedies, such as local honey, is limited, so they are better as extras than replacements for medicine.

Pollen Season and When to Start

There is no cure for hay fever, so the aim is to keep symptoms under control through the season. In the UK, tree pollen usually starts in late March, grass pollen peaks from May to July, and weed pollen can run into September. Starting tablets or a steroid nasal spray a week or two before your usual bad weeks tends to work better than waiting until symptoms are in full swing. If you are not sure it is hay fever, our guide to hay fever signs and symptoms covers how it differs from a cold.

Safety Points Worth Knowing

• Read the leaflet before you start, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other regular medicine. Our pregnancy range has more support for that stage.
• Drowsy antihistamines can affect driving and are best avoided with alcohol or sleeping tablets. Chlorphenamine should not be used continuously for more than two weeks without advice, and it is generally avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding unless a doctor advises it.
• Steroid nasal sprays should not be used continuously for more than a month without speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.
• Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so check with a pharmacist first if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition.
• Do not take two antihistamines together, and watch for hidden ones in cold, flu and sleep remedies.

When to Speak to a Pharmacist or GP

Speak to a pharmacist if you are unsure which hay fever product suits you or you take other medicines. See a GP if symptoms are getting worse, medicines from the pharmacy are not helping, or you are not sure whether it is hay fever. Hay fever can make asthma worse, so get advice if you are wheezing or using your reliever inhaler more than usual. A painful eye or any change in vision needs prompt medical advice. A GP can also talk through other options for severe hay fever, including prescription treatment or referral for immunotherapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best hayfever tablets?

There is no single best tablet, because people respond differently. Non-drowsy antihistamines such as fexofenadine (Allevia, Treathay) and cetirizine (Galpharm) are the usual first choice for daytime relief. If one does not work well for you, a pharmacist can suggest a different active ingredient.

2. What are the strongest hayfever tablets?

Over the counter antihistamines are similar in strength, so a stronger tablet is not usually the answer for severe hay fever. Adding a steroid nasal spray and eye drops often helps more, and a GP can discuss prescription treatment if needed.

3. Are hayfever tablets antihistamines?

Yes. Hay fever tablets are antihistamines, which block the histamine your body releases in an allergic reaction. They are sold as hay fever tablets, allergy tablets and allergy relief tablets, and the active ingredient is what differs, for example fexofenadine, cetirizine or chlorphenamine.

4. What is the difference between drowsy and non-drowsy hay fever tablets?

Non-drowsy antihistamines are much less likely to make you sleepy, so they suit daytime use. Drowsy ones such as chlorphenamine can cause sleepiness, which affects driving, and they are taken more than once a day.

5. How long do hayfever tablets take to work?

Most antihistamine tablets begin to work within an hour or two, though the full benefit can take a few days of regular use. Steroid nasal sprays take several days to build up, so start them before symptoms peak.

6. What are the side effects of hay fever tablets, and can I take them every day?

Antihistamines are designed for daily use through the season. Possible side effects include a dry mouth, headache and drowsiness, which is more likely with older types. Check the leaflet, and speak to a pharmacist if you are bothered by side effects.

7. Can I take paracetamol with hayfever tablets?

Plain paracetamol is generally fine alongside an antihistamine. Check cold and flu products first, because many already contain paracetamol or an antihistamine, and doubling up is easy to do. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

8. What hay fever medicine can children take?

It depends on the child's age and weight, and most adult tablets are not suitable for young children. Check the age range on the pack, and ask a pharmacist or GP before giving any hay fever medicine to a baby or toddler.

9. Is there a hay fever nasal inhaler or nasal drops?

The usual nasal treatment is a spray, such as a steroid spray used daily. Decongestant sprays and drops should only be used for a few days. Asthma inhalers are not a hay fever treatment.

10. Are there injections or shots for hay fever?

Injections are prescription treatments that a GP or specialist would decide on, and they are not sold over the counter. Most people manage well with tablets, a nasal spray and eye drops, and a GP can talk through immunotherapy for severe hay fever.

---