Cheapest way to buy hayfever tablets – you could make a huge saving of £27 this summer
WITH the arrival of summer comes the dreaded hay fever season for many.
But relief doesn't have to break the bank.
Switching to generic allergy medications can offer the same relief as well-known brands, while potentially saving you a significant amount - up to £27 during the summer months (June, July, and August).
People generally know that buying branded medications are almost always more costly than their generic equivalents.
On top of that, most over-the-counter drugs have the same medical properties no matter the brand, price or form it comes in.
The Royal Pharmaceutical said: "Whether they are branded or generic, all medicines are the same so you can be reassured your medicine is safe."
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The key thing to look out for is the "active" ingredient of the remedy, which manufacturers may change.
So once you have found the right active ingredient, you can start looking for the best deal to purchase your medicine.
For effective relief from allergy symptoms, people often turn to Cetirizine, which the NHS describes as an "antihistimine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies".
It can be used to treat things like hay fever, conjunctivitis, and eczema, and comes in tablet, capsule or liquid form.
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Common stores like Boots, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco sell Cetirizine both through brands as well as with their own equivalents of the medicine.
Popular brands of Cetirizine, such as Piriteze and Zirtek, are widely recognised but can cost as much as £11.55 for a 30-pack of tablets when purchased from pharmacies like Boots.
However, buying the generic Boots version of Cetirizine costs just £2.75, meaning a saving nearly £9.
Over the course of the three summer months, this could amount to a total saving of £27.
Similarly, the Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco medications can also provide savings of around £8 when bought instead of the branded equivalents.
In the past, PharmacyFirst has been seen to offer the cheapest deal for Cetirizine online, oferring 120 tablets all for £2.75.
Chemist4U has also proven to be a cheap option, where 180 tablets have gone for £7.54.
These cost-saving findings come after research revealed hay fever sufferers spent more than £3,600 on medication over their lifetime.
A poll also found 62 per cent of people with these allergies go through up to two boxes of antihistamine tablets a month.
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Antihistamines
Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it thinks is harmful.
Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever, also causes an allergic reaction. That’s the watering eyes, blocked nose, rashes and so on.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, says that many antihistamines are available on prescription, such as Telfast, which you can see your GP for or get through an online doctor, such as LloydsPharmacy.
Telfast, and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets, work in the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more severe symptoms.
“Get your prescription in advance of the season so you have your medication in time to start taking it at the right time,” he says.
“Some are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts."
Nasal sprays
A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness.
Pharmacists can advise on nasal sprays (sodium cromoglicate, ipratropium bromide or decongestant), and eye drops, too.
Nasal sprays can also help with other symptoms of hay fever “because the medicine is targeted directly to the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body”, Max says.
Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: “Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol, and has anti-bacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist.
“If symptoms are more severe, then try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes referred to as a steroid nasal spray – which can take a few days to work.
“Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, in the morning and at night.”
Rita also advises cleaning the nose with a saline nasal spray before a steroid spray, saying: “It will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thus improving the effectiveness of the medication.”
Eye drops
If itchy eyes are your primary concern, Rita says: “Try using sodium cromoglicate eye drops.
"These make the eyes less sensitive to allergens such as pollen and reduce irritation.
"They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective.
"Keep using them even if symptoms improve.
“Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.”