Cheap Hay Fever Tablets

Is it cheaper to get a prescription?

How cost-effective a prescription is depends on where you live:

• Live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland? Here, prescriptions are free. Visit your GP to get your hay fever or allergy medication by prescription and you won't pay a penny. Try to get the longest supply you can.

• Live in England? Most people pay for prescriptions at £8.80 a go, so it all depends how many tablets you are prescribed. You may get a month's worth for £8.80, or you may get three.

Obviously, if you don't pay for prescriptions, it'll be free, so that's the cheapest way to get tablets. Otherwise do the maths versus the cheapest equivalent above. It's also worth considering a pre-paid prescription certificate if you buy regularly.

If you or your child get free prescriptions, the little-known Minor Ailments Scheme means you may be able to get free hay fever meds at some pharmacists. It's not available everywhere, but it's worth checking if you're entitled. See the 20+ Medicine Savings guide for more help.

Quick tips to reduce symptoms & other hay fever remedies

As well as cutting the cost of medication, there are a number of other ways to keep your summer sneezes to a minimum.

How to reduce hay fever symptoms

Antihistamines can help reduce the symptoms of hay fever, but there are a few practical measures to try when the pollen count is high (thanks to Asthma UK for some of these).

• Check the pollen forecast. Be aware of when the pollen count is likely to be high. The Met Office has a searchable pollen forecast online map.

• Vacuum and damp dust. Use a damp cloth to dust and remove any lingering pollen spores.

• 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.

• Bring washing in early. Avoid drying clothes outside if you can. Air cools and pollen descends in the evening, so bring in washing from outside before this to save it getting covered. Give it a good shake before bringing it in.

Hay fever remedies for under-12s

Children under 12 and pregnant women should take special care when choosing hay fever meds.

Kids' versions of products can cost more than the adult versions, but the same MoneySaving principles apply. Branded syrups can share the same active ingredient, often only featuring different flavourings, and generic versions may be available.

Look at the ingredients and the dosage guidelines, rather than the spiel and fancy packaging, but remember you can always ask your pharmacist if you're unsure.

Children and pregnant women who don't pay for prescriptions can also get free hay fever medicine at some pharmacies via the Minor Ailments Scheme. See the 20+ Medicine Savings guide for more help

Eye drops and nasal sprays

While antihistamines should be enough to reduce hay fever 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.

• Beclometasone (Beconase). This is £9.39 at Boots (180 sprays). Alternatively, an unbranded version (200 sprays) is £6.14 with delivery at Chemist-4-U*.

• Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops (Opticrom/Optrex). Although you can find unbranded versions of these eye drops, the cheapest we've seen is a branded version (Optrex) for £5.40 at Asda.

Light therapy and air purifiers

For some sufferers, a couple of pieces of technology have been claimed to alleviate hay fever 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. They can be pretty expensive at full price, retailing for as much as £30 or more, but it's possible to get them for £15-£20 on Amazon* or during sales or offer periods.

• 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 £30, but again, it's sometimes possible to get them for about £15 via Amazon*. For more on air purifiers, see Wikipedia's air purifier entry.