Cheapest Hayfever Remedies discussion

System

I use an azelastine nasal spray (it is prescription only) in conjunction with a daily cetirizine tab before bed - seems to work reasonably well. Loratadine has almost no effect.

Other things that I find work well are -

A quick shower in the morning and evening to help wash off pollen.

Opening windows only at dawn, in the evening and after it's been raining.

I follow similar rules in the car as many have pollen filters in them when using the blowers / aircon.

FBaby

That's interesting, I am also finding that Cetirizine works very well when Loratadine doesn't (will be ok for one day, but not longer).

I used to get a prescribed nasal spray, but was told by pharmacist that similar sprays were available without a prescription. I was anxious to swap as the prescribed one made a real difference, but gave it a go and it is just as good (and cheaper as I pay for prescriptions).

Stompa

kippygolf wrote: »

Loratadine or cetirazine, whichever you find works best for you, either work for me. If you still can not get down one small tablet a day, you could grind it up (put in cling film and press with a wooden spoon? They are not very hard) and put the small amount of powder in a strongly flavoured liquid, say lemon squash, or cooled coffee, especially sweetened would cover it completely.

I'm not sure about cetirizine, but a standard loratadine tablet shouldn't be crushed:

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.24343.latest.pdf

Swallow the tablets whole with water with or without food.

It looks as though, chewable, orally disintegrating, and syrup versions are also available though.

kippygolf

Stompa wrote: »

I'm not sure about cetirizine, but a standard loratadine tablet shouldn't be crushed:

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.24343.latest.pdf

Swallow the tablets whole with water with or without food.

It looks as though, chewable, orally disintegrating, and syrup versions are also available though.

Apologies, as they don't appear to be coated, I didn't imagine crushing and dissolving would be a problem. Have deleted my post.

Stompa

kippygolf wrote: »

Apologies, as they don't appear to be coated, I didn't imagine crushing and dissolving would be a problem. Have deleted my post.

Yes, it's rather puzzling - I haven't been able find out why. There seems to be plenty of places which state that they shouldn't be chewed, crushed or broken though.

r2mahara

If you're just after the one box of 30 (or is it 28?) - 99p free delivery off amazon. Few days wait at the moment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hayfever-Tablets-Cetirizine-14-GSL/dp/B00LUJUL1I/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1470040593&sr=8-1&keywords=cetirizine

S0litaire

r2mahara wrote: »

If you're just after the one box of 30 (or is it 28?) - 99p free delivery off amazon. Few days wait at the moment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hayfever-Tablets-Cetirizine-14-GSL/dp/B00LUJUL1I/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1470040593&sr=8-1&keywords=cetirizine

That's the ones I always order

flyingirl

Bah just some feedback for the £2.79 for 120 citirizine tablets deal on the MSE Hayfever page. It is a short dated one even worse than Chemist4u. Just received my 120 tablets dated till 02/2017. I only needed 1 box this year and wanted to save the rest for next hayfever (grass pollen) season so that will learn me to change my mind at the last minute to save a couple of pennies!

kippygolf

flyingirl wrote: »

Bah just some feedback for the £2.79 for 120 citirizine tablets deal on the MSE Hayfever page. It is a short dated one even worse than Chemist4u. Just received my 120 tablets dated till 02/2017. I only needed 1 box this year and wanted to save the rest for next hayfever (grass pollen) season so that will learn me to change my mind at the last minute to save a couple of pennies!

They won't stop working in Feb 17! Won't do you any harm either, there will be a big margin build into the date. The worst that can happen is they'll be slightly less effective as time goes on, but should be fine for next year. Don't panic!

maybe1

flyingirl wrote: »

Bah just some feedback for the £2.79 for 120 citirizine tablets deal on the MSE Hayfever page. It is a short dated one even worse than Chemist4u. Just received my 120 tablets dated till 02/2017. I only needed 1 box this year and wanted to save the rest for next hayfever (grass pollen) season so that will learn me to change my mind at the last minute to save a couple of pennies!

I got some from Chemist 4 U, expiry 03/2018.