Allergy Relief Medications

Allergy relief calms the histamine reaction behind sneezing, itching, hives and watery eyes. This category covers oral antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and eye drops, the everyday treatments for hay fever and allergic skin.

These medicines treat allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, urticaria, pruritus and allergic conjunctivitis.

Key points

Antihistamines block the chemical behind sneezing and itching, while steroid sprays instead calm the swelling inside the nose.
Non-drowsy options are usually preferred for daytime use, leaving sedating types for severe itching or disturbed sleep.
Many allergy treatments here are sold over the counter, though the strongest antihistamines and higher-strength sprays remain prescription-only.

Medicines in the Allergy Relief category

Allegra

Fexofenadine

120 · 180mg

Formulated to mitigate allergic responses, intended to support the management of hay fever and chronic itchy skin conditions.

Flonase Nasal Spray

Fluticasone

50mcg

This treatment is intended to mitigate allergic rhinitis and is utilized to support sinus comfort.

Atarax

Hydroxyzine

10 · 25mg

Developed to address anxiety and skin-related allergic responses indicated to alleviate discomfort.

Periactin

Cyproheptadine

4mg

Intended to manage allergic reactions, formulated to alleviate itching and related symptoms by blocking histamine and serotonin receptors.

Ilaxten

Bilastine

20 · 40mg

Utilized to alleviate allergic rhinitis to support respiratory comfort.

Dymista

Fluticasone, Azelastine

50/140mcg

Utilized to manage allergic rhinitis to alleviate nasal congestion and sneezing.

Astelin

Azelastine

10ml

Designed to target nasal allergy symptoms, intended to alleviate congestion and sneezing caused by environmental triggers.

Rhinocort Nasal Spray

Budesonide

64mcg

Utilized to address nasal congestion to mitigate allergic response.

What’s in this category

Non-drowsy antihistamines such as fexofenadine and bilastine block histamine without much sedation.
Sedating antihistamines such as hydroxyzine and cyproheptadine settle severe itch and night-time symptoms.
Steroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone and budesonide reduce nasal inflammation.
Antihistamine sprays such as azelastine work directly in the nose.

UK status

Many allergy treatments sell over the counter as Pharmacy (P) or general sale (GSL) medicines, including fexofenadine, low-dose fluticasone sprays and most eye drops. Stronger antihistamines such as hydroxyzine and higher-strength steroid sprays stay prescription-only (POM). A swollen tongue, throat tightness or difficulty breathing after exposure signals anaphylaxis. Call 999.