Summer should be one of the best times of the year, with bank holidays galore and warm-weather picnics, but it has those with allergies reaching for the hay fever eye drops. But, for many of us, one of the best hay fever tablets a day does the trick, saving our eyes and noses as well as summertime.
Hay fever is extremely common with an estimated one in five people in England suffering from the irritating symptoms during the spring and summer months.
The best hay fever tablets at a glance:
• Best overall: Clarityn Allergy Tablets – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best budget: Tesco Hayfever Cetirizine Tablets – Buy now on Tesco
• Best for itchy eyes: Boots Hayfever and Allergy Relief Tablets – Buy now on Boots
• Best non-drowsy: Benadryl Allergy One-a-Day Tablets – Buy now on Amazon UK
Why do I get hay fever?
Hay fever happens when your immune system overreacts to things like pollen. Your immune system produces antibodies that bind to cells in your nose and eyes. When you encounter the allergen again, these cells release chemicals like histamine, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Hay fever symptoms are usually seasonal because they're triggered by specific allergens like tree or grass pollen. Some of these can be removed by portable air conditioners with allergen filters, too.
Your hay fever should not have to mean you pull out of plans or limit yourself every year. With the right hay fever and allergy relief, one simple tablet a day could be exactly what you need. You may also want to consider a hay fever nasal spray. We're here to share our picks for the best hay fever tablets this year.
What are antihistamines?
Antihistamines are medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings
What are the types of hay fever tablets?
There are many types of antihistamines, but they can be divided into two groups:
Non-drowsy – non-drowsy antihistamines are less likely to make you feel sleepy – such as cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine.
Drowsy – antihistamines that make you feel sleepy, such as chlorphenamine (including Piriton), hydroxyzine and promethazine.
Read more about antihistamines at NHS.uk.
Best hay fever tablets of 2024
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall
ClaritynClarityn provides all-day 24-hour relief for hay fever and allergies and is non-drowsy in the majority of users. These Clarityn Allergy Tablets will have you back to feeling normal and free from allergy symptoms with a single daily dose in part thanks to the active loratadine ingredient. When your allergy season starts, take a Clarityn a day for powerful, all-day symptom relief.
It is worth noting that although it is non-drowsy for most users, there are exceptions. As such, it's best to be safe and test how they work for you first.
Pros
- A trusted brand of a widely-used drug
- All-day relief from just one tablet
- Non-drowsy for most users
Cons
- Some users may still feel some drowsiness
| Active ingredients | Loratadine |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged six plus |
| Quantity | 30 |
| Amount per day | 1 |
Best budget
Tescowww.tesco.com
For a budget-friendly option, these Cetirizine Tablets from Tesco are a real hit. At only £2.95 these one-a-day tablets work to relieve symptoms of hay fever and other allergies such as rash, itching and urticaria (hives). The active ingredient this time is cetirizine hydrochloride, which boosts the versatility of these antihistamines.
Small tablet packages are easy to carry with you in a backpack, but we find that the box here is a bit on the flimsy side, so you may be better off putting the sections in dedicated pockets.
Pros
- Brilliant value for a whole month of relief
- Tackles many symptoms, including rashes
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride is another widely used and well-regarded drug
Cons
- If you're travelling with these, the packaging is a bit flimsy
| Active ingredients | Cetirizine Hydrochloride |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged 12+ |
| Quantity | 30 |
| Amount per day | 1 |
Best for itchy eyes
Bootswww.boots.com
For effective relief of seasonal and pet allergies, take one easy-to-swallow tablet daily. Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, so you can take one of these and continue to tackle your day sneeze-free and itchy eye free, full of much-needed energy.
Unlike some other entries on our list, you only get 14 tablets this time around. Still, that's two weeks, so it should last you through the worst hay fever spells.
Pros
- Non-drowsy for most users
- Easy to swallow
- Tablets can be easily broken in half for younger age groups
Cons
- Only 14 tablets per box
| Active ingredients | Cetirizine Hydrochloride |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged six plus |
| Quantity | 14 |
| Amount per day | 1 |
Best non-drowsy
BenadrylBenadryl Allergy One a Day helps to provide relief from hay fever symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, itchy and runny nose, and sneezing. It contains cetirizine, which, at the recommended dose, does not normally cause drowsiness. With 30 in a box and only needing to take one a day, each set should last a long time.
Although the relief is long-lasting, it's not exactly fast-acting. If you want instant relief, you'll want to choose another set of tablets.
Pros
- Long-lasting relief
- The drug is non-drowsy for most users, so is ideal for taking in the mornings
- Only need one a day to keep symptoms at bay
Cons
- Not the fastest-acting
| Active ingredients | Cetirizine hydrochloride |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged 12 years and over |
| Quantity | 30 |
| Amount per day | 1 |
Best for sneezes
PiritezeIt's one thing to have a runny nose, but it's a whole extra type of annoyance when you end up on a sneezing spree, and that's why we're recommending these Piriteze tablets. They use Cetirizine hydrochloride, so the usual suite of relief applies, meaning you can also get rid of runny and itchy eyes.
With 24 hours of coverage and only needing to take one tablet a day (or two half tablets), you can be sure that using these tablets will bring you steady and reliable relief throughout the hayfever months.
Pros
- Very consistent and reliable
- The tablets are small and easy to take
- Great for stopping runny noses and sneezes
Cons
- This drug lists drowsiness as a potential side effect
| Active ingredients | Cetirizine hydrochloride |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged six plus |
| Quantity | 14 |
| Amount per day | Aged 12+, one tablet a day, Aged 6 to 12, two half tablets a day |
Best for pet allergy
Bootswww.boots.com
Get instant relief from hay fever symptoms with this option from high street pharmacy Boots. Containing an active ingredient, loratadine, these tablets are suited for those suffering from allergies, especially dust or pet-related ones. While they don't claim to be fast-acting, we find that they are still very effective.
Unfortunately, these tablets contain lactose, so they're not an ideal pick for any lactose-intolerant hay fever sufferers out there.
Pros
- Reliable and very effective
- A full month's supply in one box
- Tackles a wide range of allergies
Cons
- Contains lactose
| Active ingredients | Loratadine |
| Suitable for | Adults, children aged 2+ (over 30kg) |
| Quantity | 30 |
| Amount per day | 1 |
Best newly-developed
AlleviaThe drug behind the Allevia brand was only developed relatively recently and many users say it's the fastest-acting tablet on the market. It does demand a high price, but with one tablet a day, you can oust sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes faster and more thoroughly than ever. It's not recommended for children under 12, though.
At 120mg, these are some seriously strong tablets, so be aware and read up on the side effects to stay informed.
Pros
- A new drug which many sufferers say is a godsend compared to others
- Starts to work within one hour for most users
- Suitable for young adults over 12
Cons
- Read the medical advice leaflet before taking as it may interact differently than other drugs
| Active ingredients | Fexofenadine hydrochloride |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged 12 and over |
| Quantity | 30 |
| Amount per day | 1 |
Best for children over six
PeritezeIf there's one thing that a child hates almost as much as allergies, it's swallowing tablets or yukky-tasting syrups. Thankfully, this Piriteze Allergy and Hayfever Syrup is banana-flavoured, so you can keep topped up with hay fever medication every day. It's also based on cetirizine hydrochloride, one of the most widely used antihistamines out there. It may cause drowsiness, though, so a bedtime dose is probably a good idea. As always, read the leaflet for the best advice.
Young kids often struggle to take tablets, so if they're finding it difficult, choosing a syrup alternative such as this is a very good choice.
Pros
- A common hayfever drug that can last a day on a single dose
- The banana flavouring makes administering it easier than ever
- The handy bottle is easy to use thanks to the included spoon
Cons
- The bottle is a little smaller than some others, so you may get through it faster
| Active ingredients | Cetirizine Hydrochloride |
| Suitable for | Children aged from 6 to 12 years, Adults and adolescents over 12 years |
| Quantity | 70ml |
| Amount per day | Aged 6 to 12- 5ml twice daily, Aged 12+- 10ml once daily |
Best for children over one
Bootswww.boots.com
Younger children really suffer during hay fever season, partly because they don't understand why they're suffering. Thankfully, this Boots solution is for children as young as one year of age, and being a syrup, it's easier to swallow. It'll keep allergies of all kinds at bay, and that means falling asleep is a lot easier come bedtime too. It's also sugar-free, which is a nice plus.
If you find that this syrup works for your child, great news, you can stay with it for years to come. While it is intended for children as young as one, you can continue to take it throughout plenty of age brackets, so it never goes wrong to have it handy when you need it.
Pros
- The active ingredient is widely used with young children
- The ideal solution for toddlers with allergies
- The syrup is easy to administer
Cons
- Flavour may not be to everyone's liking
| Active ingredients | Chlorphenamine Maleate |
| Suitable for | Children aged 1+ |
| Quantity | 100ml |
| Amount per day | Aged 1-2- 2.5ml up to 2 times in 24 hours, Aged 2 to 6- 2.5ml up to 6 times in 24 hours, Aged 6 to 12- 5ml up to 6 times in 24 hours, Aged 12+- 10ml up to 6 times in 24 hours<br>No more often than every 4-6 hours |
Best fast-acting
BenadrylThe wait between taking a tablet and waiting for it to kick in can feel so very long, but Benadryl has these fast-acting relief capsules that will do the trick. With the main active ingredient of acrivastine, you should start to feel the benefits of these within 15 or so minutes, making them an absolute blessing to have when you're out and about.
You can take up to three tablets a day, each lasting about eight hours. In practice, this means you'll likely use two a day. That's quite good, but it is let down by the quantity in the box. With only 24 tablets, each purchase will likely last you less than two weeks.
Pros
- Gets to work within 15 minutes
- Each tablet lasts 8 hours
- Very effective relief
Cons
- Will go through a box quickly
| Active ingredients | Acrivastine |
| Suitable for | Adults and children 12-65 years old |
| Quantity | 24 |
| Amount per day | Up to 3 times per day |
How to choose the best hay fever tablets for you
Choose the drug, not the brand
It is vitally important to remember that different tablets will work differently for everyone, so it really is right you find the perfect tablet relief for you. You'll have noticed that, behind the brand or commercial product name, many hay fever tablets share the same type of drugs. While they all come with information leaflets explaining the side effects, it's important to read these and make a mental note of them before you take the prescribed dose. If you're overly drowsy for instance, you may suit a different drug better.
Five ways to ease the sneeze
We listened to experts at LloydsPharmacy to pick up some top tips and super insightful information on how best to fight hay fever this summer:
LloydsPharmacy Pharmacist, Anshu Kaura, provides her five top tips to cope with hay fever symptoms this summer.
1. Be pollen aware
"If you have hay fever, your allergies will be worse when the pollen count is high, so plan ahead and stay indoors during peak pollen times if possible. On weeks when the pollen count is high or very high, it would also be advisable to avoid grassy areas, particularly in the early morning, evening or night, when the pollen count is highest."
2. Targeted treatments
"In terms of treatments, there is a range of solutions such as eye drops, nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets or syrups to treat symptoms. Your local pharmacist will be able to help advise you on the best treatments as most people require a multi-method approach for hay fever."
3. Avoid going out too early or too late
"The severity of hay fever symptoms will depend on the pollen count at the time, and there are many reasons why the pollen count fluctuates. The pollen count will fluctuate depending on the season, time of day, weather and atmosphere. During hay fever season, the pollen count will be at its highest early in the morning and late in the evening; this is due to pollen rising during the day with the hotter air, before falling as it cools down again in the evening."
4. Shut your windows and doors
“You should keep your windows closed when possible, even at night and when you’re driving in the car, as this will help you to avoid coming into contact with pollen. This is especially important in the early morning and evening when pollen is released. If you’re still experiencing symptoms indoors, a good air filter that can be used in the home could be a worthwhile investment."
5. Cover up
"If you frequently experience itchy and watery eyes, treatments that directly target the area may be most effective. It is also advisable to wear sunglasses on high pollen count days. Sunglasses which have a wraparound effect can be most beneficial to reduce pollen directly affecting the eye area. In addition, the masks we’ve all become accustomed to wearing during the pandemic can actually be beneficial for those of us who have allergy symptoms too, as well as potentially protecting against pollution."
Finding effective hay fever relief that works for you and your schedule can be difficult, especially if you're going through and trying the hundreds on offer.
Effective relief for you is out there, we just have to find it. Check out our top picks of the best hay fever tablets available to buy online right now, and get yourself one step closer to a sneeze-free summer this year.
Best hay fever tablets of 2024: FAQs:
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Common symptoms of hay fever include:
• A runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, watery and red eyes
• Sneezing
• Worsening of asthma symptoms (wheezing and breathlessness)
• An itchy throat
What are the common side effects of hay fever tablets?
Side effects will differ from brand to brand and depend on the active ingredients featured in each tablet. There are however common symptoms of any antihistamine, these are:
• Feeling sleepy and tired
• Headaches
• Feeling nauseous and dizzy
• Sore throat
• Itching or a rash
• Feeling agitated
Always be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and read all information provided to avoid such symptoms.
Do hay fever tablets work?
Although there is no cure for hay fever, hay fever relief tablets will lessen the symptoms and provide relief to the user. According to LloydsPharmacy, these antihistamine tablets work by altering the way the body reacts to histamine, a chemical released by the body when it thinks it is being attacked by a harmful substance. It is histamine that causes the symptoms of hay fever, such as a runny nose and watery eyes.
Verdict: are hay fever tablets worth it?
Absolutely. Antihistamines are always worth having around just in case you start to feel any symptoms. While there are other options such as nasal sprays, tablets remain the most convenient design to take with you in a bag or pocket.
We're quite fond of the Clarityn Allergy Tablets. With 30 in a pack each lasting for 24 hours, you can keep yourself protected from hay fever for a whole month at a time. They're a decent little size and are non-drowsy too, so they should work for most users. For all-around relief, they're the best you can get.
Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.
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