Hayfever is not to be sneezed at; dust and pollen allergies can be hard on the pocket as well as the nose.
Yet you can legally get exactly the same allergy relief for less than half the normal price. Find dirt-cheap generic equivalents of your hayfever medication, then cut the cost further with online deals.
In this guide
Best Buys
Quick tips to reduce symptoms
Antihistamines can help reduce the symptoms of hayfever, but before taking the medicinal route there are a few practical measures to try when the pollen count is high (thanks to Asthma UK for some of these).
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Check the pollen forecast. It's worth being aware of when the pollen count is likely to be high.
Every hayfever season (roughly March to September), allergy drug company Zirtek offers a free pollen forecast to give you time to prepare and a free downloadable pollen calendar. Vacuum and damp dust. Use a damp cloth to dust and remove any lingering pollen spores.
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Keep windows and doors closed. This helps keep the pollen out.
Smear Vaseline inside your nose. This helps stop the pollen from settling on the lining of your nose.
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Bring the washing in early. Before the evening, as air cools and pollen descends, bring in any washing from outside to save it getting covered. If possible, try to dry bed linen indoors to save it irritating you at night.
Is it cheaper to get a prescription?
How cost effective a prescription is depends on where you live:
Scotland:
FREE
N Ireland:
FREE
England:
£7.40
Wales:
FREE
Live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland?
For those living in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free.
So if you live here, simply visit your GP to get your hayfever or allergy medication by prescription and you won't pay a penny – try to get the longest appropriate supply you can.
Live in England?
Here, there's a delicate balance; for those who don't pay for prescriptions or have pre-pay certificates (see the Cheaper Prescriptions & Medications article) getting a prescription works out to be cheapest.
If you do pay, prescriptions cost £7.40, so it's often far more cost effective to buy drugs over the counter.
One rare exception is if your doctor is willing to prescribe three months' of drugs on one prescription. Depending which medication you need, this may work out less than the cheapest online meds, so check before you buy.
Find the right tablets for your needs
Different hayfever drugs work in different ways and have different active ingredients. In theory, they all have similar results, but what works for some may not work for others, so when you've found success with one type it's best to stick with it. Most regular sufferers know what works best for them already.
Here are the four major brands and their active ingredients (the important bit), plus a little bit of info about each from the National Prescribing Centre (NPC). This is just a guide; always check the packet of the remedy you commonly use to find the active ingredient, as these can vary.
Zirtek. Active ingredient: Cetirizine hydrochloride.
NPC description: Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine, which is usually taken in a one-a-day tablet. There is no known difference between hydrochloride and dihydrochloride types.
Levocetirizine is a slightly rearranged third-generation version of the drug, which is known to be just as effective. However, studies have proven inconclusive as to whether it is actually any better. Levocetirizine isn't available over the counter though, as it's a prescription-only medicine.
Adult dosage guideline: One per day (info from Chemist-4-U).
Always check your individual dosage with your pharmacist.
Clarityn. Active ingredient: Loratadine
NPC description: Loratadine is usually offered as a non-drowsy alternative to Cetirizine. Again, it is usually taken in the form of one-a-day tablet.
Desloratadine (Neo-Clarityn) is a newer version of the drug. Again, however, it hasn't proven any more efficient in studies, so most people won't notice a difference. Desloratadine is also a prescription-only medicine though, so isn't available over the counter.
Adult dosage guideline: One per day (info from Chemist-4-U).
Always check your individual dosage with your pharmacist.
Benadryl. Active ingredient: Acrivastine
NPC description: Acrivastine is a more recent antihistamine, which has the benefit of being the fastest acting remedy available, usually taking effect within 15 minutes, according to studies. This comes at a cost, since it needs to be taken three times a day.
Patent laws mean there is currently no generic equivalent of Benadryl, which makes it one of the most expensive treatments in the long-term. Be warned if buying Benadryl from the US. There, the brand name is attached to products containing diphenhydramine (aka Nytol) which may work, but'll make you very drowsy.
Do note that different types of Benadryl can have different active ingredients, so check this on the packet of the version that works for you. UK Benadryl Plus contains pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant.
Adult dosage guideline: Three times daily (info from Chemist-4-U).
Always check your individual dosage with your pharmacist.
Piriton. Active ingredient: Chlorphenamine
NPC description: Chlorphenamine is one of the older (first generation) remedies for hayfever, and hence it seems to be slowly disappearing from the shelves.
It's no worse a treatment than the rest, but studies have shown that it takes the longest time to take effect, and is the only antihistamine that causes drowsiness.
If buying it, don't confuse Piriton and Piriteze; the latter's active ingredient is cetirizine hydrochloride (like Zirtek). Also, it's the most likely to react with other medicines, so if you're planning to combine it with other tablets consult a doctor first.
Adult dosage guideline: Max. 1 tablet taken 3 times daily (info from Chemist-4-U).
Always check your individual dosage with your pharmacist.
Cutting remedy costs
It's all about the active ingredient
When a company develops a drug it is given unique rights to sell it for a number of years. Once that term ends any company can make it providing they meet the regulations. Therefore, most over-the-counter drugs have identical medical properties regardless of brand, and avoiding big names means the cost is slashed.
The key thing is to find out what the 'active' ingredient of your usual remedy is. It's always listed on the back of the packet.
Once you've done that, simply buy the cheapest generic product, ie, unbranded or own brand, that has the same active ingredient but costs much less. Protections and quality control apply equally to all branded and generic products. For more on this read the Cheaper Prescriptions and Medications article.
Finding the cheapest generic
Having noted down the correct active ingredient, you're ready to sniff out a bargain. The next section lists the current best buys for each of the different active ingredients (with the exception of Benadryl as there are no generic versions available).
Three important things to check:
Before taking any replacement tablets...
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Ensure they've got the right active ingredient.
Manufacturers can change the active ingredient, so ensure you always check the packet before taking a pill to make sure you've got the correct type.
Be careful if you've food or drug allergies.
While the active ingredient will be the same, if you have other allergies always check the other non-active ingredients too. Don't automatically assume they're the same in a generic product as a branded one.
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Lastability.
As with most things you eat, be sure to check the use-by date on the packet before you buy. Normally, the tablets have a life span of a few years, so this is rarely a problem; yet if you're buying in bulk it's worth considering whether you'll use them in time.
BEST BUYS: The cheapest tablets.
Having surveyed the major high street chains and online chemists, the following are generally the cheapest suppliers (read the safety note first if you've never ordered medicine online). Also check your local pharmacist; it may compete on price.
Online deals:
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Chlorphenamine (Piriton equivalent), 84 tablets for £2.40 delivered
In offering free postage on its hayfever range, Chemist-4-U is cheapest. It's offering boxes of 28 tablets of chlorphenamine for 80p each if you order three or more, including delivery. Alternatively, its single boxes are £1.49, again with free delivery.
If you take one tablet a day, three boxes will last about three months. If you take more (Chemist-4-U says you can take up to three per day) they'll run out sooner.Pack Price: 80p/28 tablets Delivery price: N/A Min order: 3 boxes Price incl. delivery: £2.40/84 tablets Pack expiry date: Jul 2013
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Cetirizine (Zirtek Equivalent), 90 tablets for £2.91 delivered
Again, Chemist-4-U is offering unbranded cetirizine hydrochloride tablets for 97p for a pack of 30 via the link above, though you'll need to buy a minimum of three boxes to get it at this price. Alternatively, if you only want one box, a single pack is £1.49, also with free delivery.
Chemist-4-U has told us that these are taken once per day, so one box should last about a month.Pack price: 97p/30 tablets Delivery price: N/A Min order: 3 boxes Price incl. delivery: £2.91/90 tablets Pack expiry date: Sept 2013
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Loratadine (Clarityn equivalent), 90 tablets for £2.91 delivered
With free postage, Chemist-4-U offers 30 loratadine tablets for 97p, though you'll need to order a minimum of three boxes to get it at this price. If you only want one pack, its single boxes are more expensive at £1.49, but again this includes free delivery.
Chemist-4-U has told us that these are taken once per day, so one box should last about a month.Pack price: 97p/30 tablets Delivery price: N/A Min order: 3 boxes Price incl. delivery: £2.91/90 tablets Pack expiry date: Nov 2013
Before you buy online
There are a few important things to note before buying online:
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You need to fill in a questionnaire.
Bear in mind when ordering from online chemists you'll need to fill in a questionnaire detailing your condition.
They reserve the right to refuse your order if you don't provide adequate information. All orders should be checked by a qualified pharmacist prior to despatch. -
Watch for tablets' shelf lives.
One of the reasons these tablets can be cheap is they may be near the end of their shelf life. So if you're planning to use over a long time check that first. It's also worth noting that, generally, a pharmacist wouldn't be able to sell more than a 12-month supply of antihistamines.
How legit are they?
We only include chemists registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the independent regulator responsible for setting standards of practice and ensuring these are met. It routinely inspects pharmacies and can remove them from the register if necessary, taking away their entitlement to practice.
All pharmacies, including online pharmacies, must be registered with it so check for the Internet Pharmacy Logo before buying.
It'll contain the pharmacy's registration number (in place of the Xs above), which you can enter on the GPhC website to ensure it's legitimate.
We also do as many checks as we can. However, as a money site, we’re not medical experts, and while we’ve had no serious issues as yet, of course you need to make your own decision when buying pharmaceuticals online and we can't take responsibility for that.
If you know of any other reliable online pharmacies which undercut these, please report them here and we'll add them to this article.
Important! Ensure you know how to shop safely before trying these deals
Tips for shopping safely
Whether it's a retailer or restaurateur, airline or air-conditioner seller, computer shop or car rental company, there are always two main risks: either it's a dodgy company, or it's a legit company that has financial problems and goes bust.
The aim of these tips is to help you minimise the risks.
What happens if a company goes bust?
Quite simply, its customers are immediately transformed into creditors.
This hits hardest if you've ordered goods or tickets from them, and not had delivery, as then you are simply one of a line of people trying to get your money back out of the company's assets, and you usually get back much less than you paid in.
Even if you've had delivery, if the company you bought from goes under and there's a problem with the goods, it can mean you've no comeback.
While MoneySavingExpert.com endeavors to check deals are valid, we don't check companies' finances – even huge names like MFI and Woolies have folded so it's very important you use the right strategies to stay protected where possible.
DO: Pay by credit card for goods over £100
Pay by credit card for something over £100, eg, flights, kitchens, sofas, and Section 75 laws super-charge your consumer rights.
Unlike debit cards, cheques & cash, pay in full or part (even just £1) on a credit card and by law the lender's jointly liable with the retailer. This means you have exactly the same rights with the card company as you do with the retailer, so if it goes bust, you can simply take your complaints there instead and get money back if no delivery.
Yet it's important you ALWAYS REPAY IN FULL each month, so there's no interest cost. See the Section 75 guide for a full guide and Cashback Credit Cards for how to earn cash on top too.
DO: Protect purchases under £100
Section 75 doesn't apply to purchases under £100, but there's still an option which can help. It's not a legal protection, just Visa rules, but it's a good secondary back up.
Spend on a Visa credit or debit card and, if the goods don't appear within 120 days, you can ask your bank to reclaim the cash from the seller's bank. See the Visa Chargeback part of the Section 75 guide for full details.
DON'T: Use unfamiliar sites without checking
Bogus websites are often set up to cash in on popular products like Ugg boots and Tiffany necklaces, so be wary if it's an unfamiliar site. And don't think that because it appears on a reputable search engine, that makes it a reputable site - always check.
DO: Check the site's legit
Most folks know to look for a security padlock on a website's bottom right, but that doesn't mean the site's legit, just that payment's secure.
To find out who registered the site and when, search the Whois database. Reputable firms should also appear on the Companies House site, the UK Govt's official companies register. Be very wary of businesses with just a PO BOX or email address.
Study the site's worldwide web ranking on Alexa. Anything in the top 100,000 means it's reasonably big - a good, though not foolproof, indication of legitimacy. Do a quick Google search for other shoppers' experiences.
DON'T: Let your anti-virus run out
Crucially, ensure your security's up-to-date - free software can be downloaded to your computer in five mins. Full details in the Free Anti-Virus Software guide.
DO: Know your distance selling rights
Many people are surprised to learn you've MORE rights buying online (or telephone/catalogue) due to the Distance Selling Regulations.
This gives a legal right to send most goods back within a week for a full refund (including outward delivery costs), even if there's no fault. You'll usually need to pay for the return delivery. Read Consumer Rights for a full guide.
However, of course this is balanced by the fact that, order online, and that automatically means a time gap between ordering and delivering - when the company has your money. So if it goes bust in that time, the distance selling rights don't help.
DO: Understand sometimes there's no protection.
Ultimately, there is always a risk that a company can go bust. If the above routes don't apply, then you have to make a decision about whether you're willing to take the risk of parting with your cash.
Don't be overly scared of this: every day we all make transactions based on trust, and this is part of that, but do balance up the amount you're spending against the risk. Don't give large amounts of money to a company you're not sure of.
CloseIn-store deals:
If you're already sniffling and need some fast relief, here are the top deals on the high street:
| Packs of 7 tablets unless stated | ||
|---|---|---|
Active ingredient |
Cheapest branded |
Cheapest generic |
| Cetirizine Hydrochloride (Zirtek) |
Tesco: £1.49 Sainsbury's: £2.99¹ Superdrug: £3.16¹ Asda: £2.97 Boots: £3.29 |
Morrisons: £1.50¹ (14) Asda: £1 (14) Sainsbury's: £1 (14) Tesco: £1.25 (14) Boots: £2.85 |
| Loratadine (Clarityn) |
Tesco: £1.49 Sainbury's: £2.99¹ Morrisons: £3¹ Superdrug: £3.05¹ Boots: £3.05 |
Morrisons: £1.50¹ (14) Sainsbury's: £1 (14) ASDA: 75p Tesco: 78p Boots: £1.01 Superdrug: £2.49¹ |
| Chlorphenamine (Piriton) |
Boots: £3.50 (pack of 30) |
N/A |
| Acrivastine (Benadryl) | Asda: £3.97 (12) Tesco: £3.97 (12) Boots: £4.29 (12) Superdrug: £4.29 (12) Sainsbury's: £4.99 (12) |
N/A |
| Prices last updated 19 Apr 2011 from mysupermarket.co.uk (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda), Morrisons press office, Boots press office & Superdrug.com. Prices can fluctuate so check before you buy. ¹ Item also listed as BOGOF / 2for1 | ||
| Tweet | http://mse.me/hayfever |
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If you spot any cheaper deals, please report them in the
Cheap Hayfever Remedies 2011 discussion
Other remedies
If you're buying for kids, are pregnant, or simply find that antihistamine tablets don't work well for you, here are the cheapest alternatives:
Remedies for under-12s
Children under 12 and pregnant women should take special care when choosing hayfever medication.
For children, antihistamine syrups can be the best bet, though even here the large pharmaceutical firms make extra money through clever marketing.
Childrens' versions of products can cost more than the adult versions, though contents are identical. Similarly, branded syrups can share the same active ingredient, only featuring different flavourings. So again, the hard and fast rule is to go by the ingredients listed, rather than the spiel and fancy packaging.
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Benadryl Syrup (70ml) (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) £3.86 delivered from Chemist-4-U, or £4.47 from Asda in store.
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Piriton Syrup (150ml) (Chlorphenamine Maleate) £2.79 at delivered from Chemist-4-U, or £3.77 from Boots for its own-brand equivalent.
Eye drops and nasal sprays
While antihistamines should be enough to reduce hayfever symptoms for most, they're unlikely to totally relieve nasal congestion or streaming eyes. So it may be worth investing in a separate nasal spray, and/or eye drops.
Again there are various types to watch out for, and look out for generic equivalents. If you're unsure what to try first, consult your pharmacist.
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Beclometasone (Beconase)
200 spray unbranded version £2.99 delivered at Chemist-4-U. Branded Beconase 100 sprays is £3 at Asda and Sainsbury's. -
Fluticasone (Flixonase).
Branded version £2.99 delivered at Chemist-4-U, or £6.63 for Boots' own brand version. -
Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops (Opticrom).
Generic version £1.49 delivered at Chemist-4-U, or £2 for Asda's own brand version.
Light therapy and air purifiers
For some sufferers, a couple of pieces of technology have been claimed to alleviate hayfever symptoms without using any drugs. Anecdotal feedback has generally been positive, though as ever with alternative therapies, usefulness is in the eye (or nose) of the beholder.
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Light therapy. This is based on the idea of using red light to desensitise nasal passages in a bid to defend you from allergic reactions and reduce inflammation.
There's a range of different models available, and they can be pretty expensive at full price, retailing for as much as £40, but it's possible to get them for about a tenner on Amazon*.
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Air purifiers. If you struggle to sleep at night because of the pollen swirling around your bedroom, air purifiers may also be helpful.
These often mildly noisy devices work to clean the air in any room, either by filtering (HEPA-type) or ionising air molecules.
These generally cost upwards of £20, but again, it's possible to get them for about £10 via Amazon*. For more on air purifiers, see the Wikipedia air filtering article.
For extra feedback on these devices, read MoneySaver Harryharp's useful forum thread.
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