A medical expert has named the best non-drowsy hay fever medications that are perfect for those who still need to drive. Hay fever sufferers know summer means knocking back the antihistamines in order to enjoy the great weather outdoors.
Many antihistamines are available to buy over the counter but they also come with the caveat that they can make you drowsy which can impair a lot of things, driving being one of them.
Dr Glenis Scadding from the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital in London has listed several antihistamines that do not make you sleepy, meaning they can be better to take in some situations.
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She told The Telegraph: “The second-generation antihistamines don’t cross the blood-brain barrier so are less likely to make you sleepy if you take them in the correct quantities. The main types are cetirizine (usually branded Piriteze), loratadine (branded Clarityn) and Acrivastine in Benadryl Allergy Relief.”
Dr Scadding recommended three different non-drowsy antihistamines, the first being Piritieze. At Superdrug, you can get a pack of 7 Piriteze tablets for ÂŁ3.19, a pack of 14 for ÂŁ6.29 or a pack of 30 for ÂŁ11.49. They also have an offer where if you buy one you get the second half price. At Boots, you can get the same off but a pack of 30 is ÂŁ11.55 and a pack of 14 is ÂŁ6.30.
The second antihistamine mentioned was Clarityn which you can get from Superdrug in packs of 10 for ÂŁ4.59 or packs of 30 for ÂŁ10.89. At Boots, it’s either a 20 pack for ÂŁ8 or a 30 pack currently for ÂŁ8.79, down from ÂŁ10.99.
The third antihistamine recommended was Benadryl Allergy Relief. You can get the buy one, get the second half-price deal at both Superdrug and Boots on these and the Clarityn too. Benadryl comes in packs of 24 for ÂŁ10.19 or packs of 12 for ÂŁ5.99 at Superdrug. At Boots, you can get a pack of 24 for ÂŁ10.50 or a pack of 12 for ÂŁ6.
It was warned in The Telegraph article though that different people react differently to different drugs. The NHS has warned: “Fexofenadine (in Allevia and Telfast) is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy.”
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