[james3334]

I suffer really bad from hayfever, I usually buy the cheap Tesco brand ones but they are not working at all... Does anybody know which brand tablets are the strongest and most effective?

Thank You!

[Kate.]

Different things work for different people I think...none of the tablets seem to do much for me tbh, but loratadine works best out of the ones I've tried. As well as a tablet a day, I use beclometasone nose spray twice a day and that is far more effective, especially after I've been taking it for a few weeks.

[Pitt1988]

When I used to get hayfever, I found Benedryl (however you spell it) to be the best. However, they're sooo expensive, If you qualify for free prescriptions I would go to the docs and they'll sort you the best ones for you. I used to get really bad eyes so they sorted me out these eye drops that were unbelievable!

[JOSHIK1]

Benadryl is the only medication that works for me the others seem to be fairly ineffectual, but I guess the impact may differ depending on the person.

For a long term solution, the NHS was offering something called Grazax which worked similarly to a vaccine, in as much as a some pollen was included so over time you become immune, but I'm not sure if it is still available.

[Pitt1988]

Your diet can have a bit of an effect as well; stocking up on more fruit, veg and local honey especially.

[heidigirl]

Well what exactly are you taking at the moment? It's probably loratadine or cetirizine hydrochloride and most of the main brands contain exactly the same thing in the same doses. If you're currently trying cetirizine it's worth switching and trying loratadine (I think tesco do their own version of both though so no point forking out on the expensive stuff), and vice-versa.

Otherwise, Benadryl contains acrivastine and Piriton contains chlorphenamine maleate so those are two you could try instead.

Do give them time to work though; it can take several days of taking them once a day before they properly kick in-it won't do a lot of good to just take them sporadically when you think you need them.

[MoonGazer]

I personally find that ceterzine hydrochoride works really well for me, whereas lotradine doesn't, so it might be a matter of trying things out for a while and see what works for you. There is also another one that is in the benylin original cough syrup, called diphenhydramine - I find it works really well for me if nothing else is helping me, but be careful with it as it can make you very drowsy.

[Ohhiitskatie]

Cetirizine Hydrochloride works really well for me

[*Joanna*]

It's the active ingredient that is important, not the brand. So it won't matter that it's Tescos own that you're taking, it'll be the active ingredient that doesn't agree with you. Pop into a pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist (make sure you take note of the active ingredient of the tablets you're already taking) and see if they can suggest any others that might work better. It's probably just a case of trying a few and finding one that works. You might need to supplement it with nasal sprays and eye drops too.

[james3334]

(Original post by Kate.)
Different things work for different people I think...none of the tablets seem to do much for me tbh, but loratadine works best out of the ones I've tried. As well as a tablet a day, I use beclometasone nose spray twice a day and that is far more effective, especially after I've been taking it for a few weeks.

You are a life saver! The nose spray actually works for me!

Thank You!

[TheWorldEndsWithMe]

I used cetirizine hydrochloride tablets last year- but ended up needing an inhaler, eye drops and a nasal spray as well.

Using fexofenadine hydrochloride now and it's working well.

[LittleGee]

I use piriton and it always works well for me, nothing else touches it! I take it nealy all year round. I am stupid and always buy piriton and have never tried the cheaper generic cetirizine.

[joan1234]

Hello try cutting down on dairy food especially cheese I can't believe how well it worked for me. I do miss cheese all hay fever season but symptoms are so much reduced its worth it.
Hope it works for you should see improvement in 24 hours so you will know pretty quickly if your one of those people whose hay fever is triggered by dairy.