A 'pollen bomb' across the UK has been making life utterly miserable for hayfever sufferers this summer - but help is at hand thanks to a new over-the-counter drug that's been hailed as a 'miracle cure'.
The high strength tablets were previously only available with an NHS prescription through a GP - if they considered your case serious enough to prescribe them. But this year, for the first time, the tablets are available over the counter - but stock is being snapped up instantly.
Fexofenadine Hydrochloride, which is currently being sold under the brand name Allevia or Treathay in the UK, 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 Asda and Tesco from as little as £4 a box on offer, rising to £7 a box depending on the store and the number of tablets.
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Hayfever sufferers say the tablets are so good, they completely ended their hay fever symptoms. They described the tablets - which are stronger than traditional tablets like Cetirizine Hydrochloride and Loratadine - as making them feel like they don't even have hayfever at all any more.
But the downside is that supply can't keep up with demand during the recent boiling hot weather which has seen 'pollen bombs' across the country.
One hay fever sufferer told YorkshireLive: "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 hayfever sufferers agree with how good the tablets are.
Matty Ester said : "I have gone from having the worst hayfever you will ever see anyone have in your whole life, to feeling like I’ve never had it. Allevia, you have cured me."
Ben Newmark said: "HAYFEVER SUFFERERS Allevia is now available over the counter and I haven't felt this good in the summer for a decade."
@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 hayfever-free. No itching, no eye drops, no nasal sprays. 10/10 would recommend."
@therealmadrina said: "Them Allevia hayfever tablets are defo worth the money tbh - they’ve been working wonders for me"
@RettsUK said: "Guys Allevia truly are the best hayfever tablets. I suffer from hayfever 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 hayfever 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:
- hayfever
- 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 120mg or 180mg fexofenadine once a day. Children aged 12 and under take it twice a day at 30mg.
- 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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