Antihistamine tablets

Non-drowsy antihistamine tablets (Cetirizine, Loratadine, Telfast) for the treatment of hay fever available to buy online from Dr Fox Pharmacy.

Start order

How to buy online

How to order antihistamine tablets online for UK delivery:

  1. Read medical information about hay fever treatment
  2. Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
  3. Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (Royal Mail Tracked 24)

Prices

Antihistamine tablets Quantity Cost
Loratadine 10mg 30 tablets (1 month) £5.50
Loratadine 10mg 60 tablets (2 months) £6.80
Loratadine 10mg 90 tablets (3 months) £8.40
Cetirizine 10mg 30 tablets (1 month) £5.50
Cetirizine 10mg 60 tablets (2 months) £6.80
Cetirizine 10mg 90 tablets (3 months) £8.20
Telfast 120mg (fexofenadine) 30 tablets £12.60
Telfast 120mg (fexofenadine) 60 tablets (2 months) £19.20
Telfast 120mg (fexofenadine) 90 tablets (3 months) £25.70
Fexofenadine 120mg (generic Telfast) 30 tablets £5.60
Fexofenadine 120mg (generic Telfast) 60 tablets (2 months) £9.90
Fexofenadine 120mg (generic Telfast) 90 tablets (3 months) £14.70

Price match guarantee
Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.

Prescription fees

Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.

Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.

Order value Prescription fee
up to £10 £1.00
up to £20 £2.00
up to £40 £3.00
over £40 £4.00

If you have your own private paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).

Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.


About antihistamine tablets

Dr Fox supplies cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine (Telfast) antihistamine tablets on prescription.

Loratadine and cetirizine are medical names. A number of drug companies make these antihistamines, which are sold under various brand names (e.g. Piriteze). Telfast is a brand name for the antihistamine fexofenadine (also available from Dr Fox as a generic).

Antihistamine tablets work by blocking the inflammatory effect of histamine. In hay fever, histamine release is triggered by an allergic reaction to pollen. This leads to the symptoms in the eyes, nose, and throat.

How to take antihistamine tablets

  • Cetirizine 10mg tablets: take one daily, swallowed with water.
  • Loratadine 10mg tablets: take one daily, with or without food.
  • Telfast/fexofenadine 120mg tablets: take one daily with water before a meal. Avoid antacids within 2 hours of tablets.

Antihistamine tablets can be combined with hay fever eye drops and nasal sprays.

Cautions and contraindications

People with significant liver or kidney disease or a history of irregular heart rhythms, epilepsy, or porphyria may not be able to take antihistamines and should consult with their regular doctor before treatment.

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and affect ability to drive, cycle, and operate machinery.

Cetirizine and loratadine tablets contain lactose. Telfast and fexofenadine tablets do not contain lactose.

Skin testing for allergy

All antihistamines will interfere with allergy skin testing. It is recommended to stop taking antihistamine tablets for at least 72 hours before any skin tests.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before taking antihistamine tablets. The manufacturers recommend to avoid them.

Information on antihistamine use in pregnancy: BUMPS (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) - Treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Possible side effects

All medicines can cause side effects although not everyone gets them.

Cetirizine, loratadine, and Telfast (fexofenadine) are all less sedative than the original antihistamine tablets.

Common side effects: Side effects are reported in up to 1 in 100 people, but are not generally troublesome. These can include: headache, dry mouth, feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea, poor sleep, and dizziness.

Serious allergic reactions are rare and require immediate medical attention: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, flushing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Occasionally people experience a rash or itching on stopping cetirizine.

Information on other rarer side effects is found in the patient information leaflets.

Alternative treatments for hay fever

Other medical treatments for hay fever include nasal sprays and eye drops.

In hay fever associated with asthma, your GP may prescribe montelukast tablets. If hay fever triggers asthma which doesn't settle with your usual asthma treatment please consult your regular doctor.

If there are severe hay fever symptoms which are not responding to antihistamine tablets with nasal sprays and eye drops, a short course of a few days of steroid tablets can bring things back under control. Dr Fox cannot provide this. Please consult your regular doctor.

Many hay fever sufferers used to have an annual long acting steroid injection of Kenalog (triamcinolone). This is very effective at damping down the overactive immune response causing hay fever, for the duration of the hay fever season. However, it is no longer recommended by NICE or licensed as a hay fever treatment, as there are health risks from lowering your immune responses, and there can also be serious long-term side effects. Some private clinics do, however, still offer this injection 'off label' after a careful assessment of personal risks.

Pollen desensitisation using allergen immunotherapy as either a vaccine or oral preparation is available from some hospital specialists. There is a potential for life threatening anaphylactic reactions during desensitisation treatments and so they are not often recommended.

How to avoid exposure to pollen

  • Using vaseline around your nostrils. This can trap pollen and stop it getting into your nose.
  • Avoid grass cutting and places where pollen counts are known to be high.
  • Vacuum regularly, preferably using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
  • Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season.
  • Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. You can check the pollen forecast or there are many helpful apps available.
  • Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Wraparound sunglasses can reduce pollen contact with the eyes.
  • Shower after going outside.

Further information on antihistamines


Antihistamine tablets FAQs

The antihistamine tablet I have always used doesn't work any more. What next?

Don't panic. Very often trying a different antihistamine tablet is all that is needed to regain control of your symptoms. Or you can try adding a nasal spray and eye drops as well. If symptoms are still very severe, then discuss with your regular doctor who may offer a short course of steroid tablets, or montelukast tablets (only if you have asthma as well).

How many types of antihistamine tablets are there?

Antihistamine tablets are divided into two main types - sedating and non-sedating. It is usually recommended to take non-sedating antihistamine tablets to treat hay fever. Dr Fox offers a choice of 3 different non-sedating antihistamine tablets. There are at least 9 sedating antihistamines and 9 non-sedating antihistamines available in the UK (November 2023).

Can I double the dose of my antihistamine tablet, if it isn't working?

Dr Fox prescribes antihistamine tablets at the dose recommended by the manufacturers to treat hay fever. This is one tablet a day of either loratadine 10mg, cetirizine 10mg, or Telfast (fexofenadine) 120mg. Occasionally an allergy specialist may suggest short courses of a double dose antihistamine, usually to treat a condition other than hay fever, but this is 'off label' use and is not generally recommended.

Do not double the dose of your hay fever antihistamine tablet. Instead try swapping to a different tablet or also using a nasal spray or eye drops as well.

Can I use a nasal spray/eye drops as well as my antihistamine tablet?

Yes. The nasal sprays and eye drops can be used as well as taking an antihistamine tablet. It is considered safe to use all three types of treatment (tablet, nasal spray, and eye drops) at the same time.

See also hay fever FAQs page.

Patient Information Leaflets

Illustration of patient leaflet from medicine packet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

This page written and reviewed by doctors

Dr Tony Steele

Authored 17 August 2016 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr Amanda Wood, Dr Claire Pugh, Dr Barbara Babor
Last reviewed 13 November 2023
Last updated 19 March 2024

References

Recent Hay fever antihistamine tablets reviews

Hay fever antihistamine tablets rated 4.7/5 in 20 product reviews

See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox

Loratadine 10mg

Works wonders

20 October 2023
T. Shale Verified

Cetirizine 10mg

Solid quality and used instead of zytec with no issue

26 April 2023
Anonymous Verified

Cetirizine 10mg

Only as good as other cheaper alternatives.

13 January 2023
Anonymous Verified

Telfast/fexofenadine 120mg

This was a very good anti-itch tablet.

19 August 2021
Anonymous Verified

Telfast/fexofenadine 120mg

Good stuff, works really well for me

04 May 2021
Anonymous Verified

Read more reviews

The order process

Choose medication, register, and pay

Dr Fox issues prescription online

Pharmacy team post medication direct