Hay fever sufferers are praising a type of over-the-counter hay fever relief that used to only be available on prescription on the NHS.
Fexofenadine Hydrochloride tablets were previously only available with an NHS prescription, and you'd need to convince your GP that you suffered badly enough to warrant being given them. But for the first time ever, this year, they're available in supermarkets and hay fever sufferers are quickly snapping them up.
Sold under the brand name Allevia or Treathay in the UK, it is now available without a prescription for the first time, meaning you can now buy it over the counter at Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets like Tesco and Asda from as little as £4 a box on offer, rising to £7 a box depending on the store and the number of tablets, Yorkshire Live reports.
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Some hay fever sufferers even say the tablets are so good, they cured all their symptoms completely. Some say the tablets, which are stronger than traditional remedies such as Cetirizine Hydrochloride and Loratadine, make them them feel like they don't even have hay fever at all any more.
There is, however, a downside. Supply can't keep up with demand during the recent boiling hot weather which has seen "pollen bomb" levels spike with huge amounts of the flowery discharge in the air.
One hay fever sufferer told Yorkshire Live : "I went to three different supermarkets trying to find it. It was completely sold out in Asda Handsworth in Sheffield, and it was sold out at another two in Leeds.
"I bought some online but even on Amazon Prime, there's about a week long delay on orders and it took a week to arrive on the 'next day' delivery service. The reason is, it works. It's much more potent than regular hay fever tablets, so my reactions are much more under control.
"I don't know what I would have done without it this year, when the pollen has been absolutely crazy. Last year I got some on prescription, but now they're available over the counter it's much easier and cheaper to get hold of them - until they all sell out."
Other hay fever sufferers agree with how good the tablets are. Ben Newmark said: "HAY FEVER SUFFERERS Allevia is now available over the counter and I haven't felt this good in the summer for a decade."
Matty Ester added: "I have gone from having the worst hay fever you will ever see anyone have in your whole life, to feeling like I’ve never had it. Allevia, you have cured me." @Nikk1noodles said: "Fexofenadine aka Allevia 120mg over the counter at Boots. Took a couple of days to kick in but this week I've been hay fever-free. No itching, no eye drops, no nasal sprays. 10/10 would recommend."
@therealmadrina said: "Them Allevia hay fever tablets are defo worth the money tbh - they’ve been working wonders for me". RettsUK said: "Guys Allevia truly are the best hay fever tablets. I suffer from hay fever badly but with one a day, I haven’t even had the slightest nose twitch in weeks!"
@28shan said: "Those Allevia tablets have made forget that I even suffer from hay fever they are literally the best". One user added that the price for some boxes on Amazon had jumped from £7 to £20 during periods of high demand.
What is Fexofenadine and how does it work?
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medicine that helps with people suffering with allergies.
It's used to treat:
- hay fever
- conjunctivitis
- eczema
- hives (urticaria)
- reactions to insect bites and stings
- some food allergies
Fexofenadine is known as a non-drowsy antihistamine. It's less likely to make you feel sleepy than some other antihistamines.
- You'll usually take fexofenadine once a day. Children aged 12 and under take it twice a day.
- Fexofenadine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy.
- Common side effects include headaches, feeling sleepy, dry mouth, feeling sick and dizziness.
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