Hay Fever & Allergy Relief

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are commonly used to treat symptoms of allergies, they work by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that is released during an allergic reaction. Histamine contributes to allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, runny nose, and watery eyes.

By preventing histamine from binding to its receptors, antihistamines can help relieve these symptoms.

Types of antihistamines

The most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines are: 

Cetirizine

Cetirizine is one of the most popular second-generation antihistamines due to it being highly effective with a low chance of toxicity, meaning it is a safe option for long-term use. This medicine is available from Oxford Online Pharmacy as generic Cetirizine tablets, or the brands called Zirtek, Piriteeze, and Benadryl one a day. This medicine is also available in a Cetirizine liquid form under the brand name Piriteze syrup.

Loratadine

Loratidine is an effective antihistamine with near-near-no drowsy effects. This medicine is especially good for those who are sensitive to the drowsy effects of antihistamines. However, this treatment is not as effective at treating allergic Rhinitis. Loratadine tablets are also available under the brand name Clarityn.

Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine is one of the newest antihistamines to be introduced as an over-the-counter product in the UK at the end of 2020. This non-drowsy antihistamine is effective in treating allergies and is available under the brands Allevia, Treathay and Telfast. 

Studies have shown that Fexofenadine has the lowest risk of drowsiness, making these tablets a great option for those in safety-critical jobs.

Cetirizine vs Fexofenadine

Both Fexofenadine and Cetirizine are equally effective in reducing allergy symptoms. 

Fexofenadine works within two hours, and Cetirizine works within one hour. Several studies have found Cetirizine to be more effective than Fexofenadine at relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis and urticaria (allergic skin rash), and it appears to have a longer duration of action.

Cetirizine is 3.5 times more likely to cause drowsiness than Fexofenadine, even though there is such a slim chance Cetirizine will actually cause drowsiness. 2

Other antihistamines

At Oxford Online Pharmacy, in addition to the popular medicines mentioned above, we have a huge range of antihistamines, including OTC (over-the-counter) medicines and POM (prescription-only medicines). 

You can find below the other types of antihistamines available:

• Rupatadine - POM - Rupatadine is the most effective for allergic rhinitis (runny nose).
• Xyzal - Levocetirizine - POM - This medicine is most effective at treating the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, including persistent allergic rhinitis (runny nose) and skin rash (urticaria).
• Desloratadine - POM- This medicine is in the same class as the second-generation antihistamine Loratadine. Desloratadine is significantly more potent than Loratadine.
• Benadryl - Acrivastine - OTC - Acrivastine is taken up to three times a day, while other antihistamines are taken once a day.
• Benadryl Plus - Acrivastine / Pseudoephedrine - OTC - A combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant (for very short-term use only).
• Piriton - Chlorphenamine - OTC - A first-generation antihistamine which can cause drowsiness but is fast-acting for unexpected allergic reactions.

Specialist allergy tablets

Grazax - POM - Used to treat grass pollen allergy.

Acarizax - POM - Used to treat dust mite allergy.

Itulazax - POM -  Used to treat tree pollen allergy.

These strong hayfever tablets are used if you have severe allergy symptoms which prevent you from being able to complete daily tasks and if you have tried first-line antihistamines and none of them work for you and your symptoms do not improve. 

These specialist treatments are prescription-only medicines and are only available from us after a specialist has first prescribed them. 

Before being able to purchase this medicine, you must have had your first ever dose (as in just the first tablet ever) in person with a doctor. This is because there is a small risk of anaphylaxis. Once you've had the first tablet ever you can continue taking it like any other medicine.

As long as these medicines have been started by an immunologist/allergy specialist, we will continue the supply via Oxford Online Pharmacy online doctor.

Unlike other treatments, If these treatments are used continuously for 3 years, you will likely be allergy-free at the end. That's the recommendation and "proper" way to use them.

Some people will just take them every year for the allergy season (usually the summer) - this is more for Grazax (grass pollen) and Itulazax (tree pollen). This isn't wrong and it will help with symptoms, however, it would be better in the long run to take them for the 3 years.

Even though this medicine has the best chance of getting rid of your allergies, forever, they do come with a higher price tag compared to antihistamines. Unfortunately, these medicines are not available on the NHS. 

Allergy eye drops

If you suffer from red, itchy eyes as a symptom of your allergies, you may want to consider allergy relief eye drops. They are most effective for these types of symptoms as they get to work straight at the source of the irritation.

Eye drops can be used in conjunction with your allergy tablets and are a great way of relieving uncomfortable eyes. At Oxford Online Pharmacy you can find the following allergy eye drops: 

• Opticrom - Sodium Chromligate - OTC - anti-allergics - Sodium Cromoglicate is an eye drop used to treat allergic conjunctivitis (hay fever) by reducing the redness, itch, watering and irritation of the eyes.
• Otrivine - Xylometazoline - OTC - Otrivine contains two active ingredients. Xylometazoline hydrochloride is a decongestant and antazoline sulphate is an anti-allergic agent. Otrivine helps to make your eyes feel more comfortable by relieving the redness and itching caused by allergies such as hay fever, or house dust allergy.

Types of nasal sprays

Nasal sprays are an effective treatment if you suffer from a runny nose and sneezing caused by an allergy or cold. You can get 3 different types of nasal sprays, such as steroid sprays, antihistamines and decongestants, some of them contain more than one of these active ingredients.

Steroid nasal sprays

Steroid nasal sprays, also known as corticosteroid nasal sprays, are medications with anti-inflammatory properties that you apply directly into your nasal passages. They are effective in treating various conditions such as hay fever, sinusitis, non-allergic rhinitis, and nasal polyps.

By reducing inflammation and mucus production in the nasal passages, corticosteroid sprays effectively alleviate symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and nasal swelling associated with allergic rhinitis.

For best results, it's important to use corticosteroid sprays daily and follow the dosage recommended by a pharmacist or doctor. They will advise you on the appropriate number of sprays for each nostril and establish a consistent schedule for administration. 3

Antihistamine nasal sprays

Antihistamine nasal sprays alleviate symptoms such as congestion, itchiness, runny nose, and sneezing. These nasal sprays are available only on prescription. While they typically induce less drowsiness compared to oral antihistamine medications, they may still cause drowsiness in some people. 4

Decongestant sprays

Decongestants are medications designed to offer temporary relief from nasal congestion, addressing symptoms like a blocked or stuffy nose. They prove beneficial in alleviating the discomfort associated with various conditions such as colds, flu, hay fever, allergic reactions, catarrh, and sinusitis. 5

You can find below the different nasal sprays available to buy from Oxford Online Pharmacy:

• Budesonide - POM -  a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Rhinocort - Budesonide - POM -  a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Nasonex - Mometasone - POM - a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Ryaltris - Mometasone - POM - a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Beconase 200d - Beclometasone POM -  a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Beconase 180d - Beclomethasone OTC -  a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Beconase 100d - Beclomethasone OTC -  a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Rhinolast - Azelastine - POM - antihistamine
• Dymista - Azelastine / Fluticasone - POM - antihistamine / a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Pirinase - Fluticasone - OTC - a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Flixonase - Fluticasone - POM - a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Otrivine - Xylometazoline OTC - a decongestant
• Nasacort - Triamcinolone - POM -  a steroid (or corticosteroid)
• Becodefence - Drug free - OTC

Allergy test

If you’re not sure whether you are suffering from an allergy, you can buy an allergy blood tests from Oxford Online Pharmacy, this skin prick test will give you results at home. The SELFCheck Allergy Test is a quick immunodiagnostic self-test kit that detects elevated IgE levels from a finger prick blood sample in only 10 minutes.

Get in touch

You can also get in touch with our pharmacy for advice, our trained team are happy to help you find the right treatment for you. You can speak to our pharmacists for advice and they will take into consideration any underlying medical conditions and explain to you any of the medicine's adverse effects.

References:

1. Drugs.com - Allegra vs Zyrtec: What's the difference?
2. NHS - Steroid nasal sprays
3. WebMD - Nasal Sprays for Allergies
4. NHS - Decongestants