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Original poster

Has anyone tried prescription hayfever meds?

68 replies

AlexaWhatsMyUsername · 21/03/2022 20:05

And are they more effective than over the counter combinations of tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops?

OP posts:
Susu49 · 21/03/2022 20:08

I use prescription anti histamines and they are much effective than what I can buy otc

FairyCakeSprinkles · 21/03/2022 20:11

My hay fever was appalling last year. I tried everything the pharmacy sold, felt as though I couldn't breathe at times. Determined to find something more effective this year.

Has anyone tried the vaccine?

Susu49 · 21/03/2022 20:12

Mind boggling - there's a vaccine ?!

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caffeinebuzz · 21/03/2022 20:13

For me the prescription is so much better than any combo I could buy myself in the pharmacy, although I still have to supplement with a nasal spray and eye drops at the height of the season.

Original poster
AlexaWhatsMyUsername · 21/03/2022 20:15

@Susu49

I use prescription anti histamines and they are much effective than what I can buy otc
Would you mind sharing what it is you get prescribed please?
OP posts:
wishuponastar1988 · 21/03/2022 20:16

I have fexofenadine prescribed - lifesaver! And the avamys nasal spray. X

Original poster
AlexaWhatsMyUsername · 21/03/2022 20:18

@caffeinebuzz

For me the prescription is so much better than any combo I could buy myself in the pharmacy, although I still have to supplement with a nasal spray and eye drops at the height of the season.
That’s really interesting, thank you. What do you get prescribed?
OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 21/03/2022 20:18

You can get fexofenadine otc now!

Noimaginationforaun · 21/03/2022 20:19

Fexofenadine 250mg - life saver!
Would have the injection if I could! You can get it private. I have a friend that has it every year and swears by it!

Sunshineandrainbow · 21/03/2022 20:21

@wishuponastar1988

I have fexofenadine prescribed - lifesaver! And the avamys nasal spray. X
Can now buy fexofenadine off the shelf. I have seen it in tesco this weekend.
BringMeTea · 21/03/2022 20:24

I was delighted to see fexofenadine in Waitrose this week. Only 120mg but better than my others.

PlanningTowns · 21/03/2022 20:27

Also on fexofenadine on prescription for allergies (but also good for my hay fever!)

crochetmylifeaway · 21/03/2022 20:28

I CANNOT cope without fexonfenadine and beconase nasal spray. I also use eye drops but I can't remember the name of them.

I tried everything over the years and even got some over the counter stuff on prescription. The gp told me there was none left for me to try and I just needed to learn to cope. Yeah ok I'll cope with daily nose bleeds due to constant sneezing, sometimes multiple nose bleeds, my eyes swelling up and watering so much I struggle see, I can't breathe through my nose and I am constantly exhausted from sneezing and lack of sleep.

I went back and begged another gp who looked over my notes and told me there are loads more we can try but luckily for me the first one he prescribed worked. I've just ordered my first repeat for the year. I'm a bit late but no one has started cutting grass just yet so I'm ok so far.

userxx · 21/03/2022 20:35

Is fexofenadine non drowsy ?

pawpaws2022 · 21/03/2022 20:36

Not for hay fever but I take
2 fexofenadine daily
4 Zyrtec
Xolair injections for hives

Mallowmarshmallow · 21/03/2022 20:42

My mum and brother had the vaccine last year and it was life changing as they both suffer really badly.

They've had a first dose already as they've been told it's best to have an early one then one further on in the season.

Franklin12 · 21/03/2022 20:45

fexofenadine 180 for me. Didn’t realise there was a stronger one. Plus the nasal spray but all the time. Don’t just take when feeling bad

hartof · 21/03/2022 20:46

I have Fexofenadine on prescription 180mg once a day, when pollen is really bad it isn't enough and I need beconase spray and maybe an extra tablet. But on the whole they are good.

Ramdogs · 21/03/2022 20:47

Depending on what your pollen triggers are, you may want to look into Grazax therapy.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/03/2022 20:50

I can't take Fexofenadine, it makes my feel as though my head is stuffed with cotton wool. I end up taking 2-4 ceterizine a day, depending how bad I am.

What nasal spray do people recommend? I've tried beconase but it gives me a sore runny nose.

Susu49 · 21/03/2022 20:51

@AlexaWhatsMyUsername another fexofenadine user here, don't remember the dose but definitely higher than what I've seen in pharmacies

I've found vit d supplements massively helpful too, my gp told me vit d levels affect immunity and I noticed I became less reactive once I started taking a regular supplement

Ineedastyleicon · 21/03/2022 20:52

How do I get a vaccine?? This would change my life! I suffer terribly, had no idea there was a vaccine???

Linnet · 21/03/2022 20:53

I always bought over the counter previously but it was getting to the stage that nothing was working, or what did work were the ones that knocked me out.

So I went to the GP and she gave me fexofenadine, it was a game changer, I can breathe, my eyes don’t stream I don’t have days where I do nothing but sneeze, it’s amazing.oh and non drowsy.

BluebellsGreenbells · 21/03/2022 20:55

Would have the injection if I could!

I’ve just looked it up - it’s £75 in most pharmacies/private GP - so not that expensive compared to OTC tablets

Susu49 · 21/03/2022 20:57

I've just looked up hay-fever vaccine and found this link. Looks like it would be contraindicated for me but hopefully will be useful for someone else

patient.info/news-and-features/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-hay-fever-injection