Grass pollen season is here. In the UK it typically peaks from mid-June to mid-July, and with as many as one in four British adults affected by hayfever, the early-summer scramble for relief is well underway. The good news: most effective hayfever remedies are available over the counter, and prices for the same active ingredient can vary enormously between retailers and between branded and generic versions.
This guide compares the main types of hayfever and allergy relief available in the UK — antihistamine tablets, steroid nasal sprays, eye drops, drug-free barrier balms and air purifiers — with live price comparisons across Amazon, Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy, Morrisons and more, so you can see exactly where each product is cheapest today.
A quick note before we start: this is a price comparison guide, not medical advice. Antihistamines and nasal sprays are medicines — always read the label, and if you're unsure which product is right for you (or you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medication, or buying for a child), speak to your pharmacist or GP first.How to Choose Hayfever Relief in 2026
Most over-the-counter hayfever tablets in the UK contain one of three antihistamines. They all treat the same symptoms — sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes — but differ in a few ways worth knowing before you compare prices:
- Cetirizine — once-a-day, classed as non-drowsy though it can cause drowsiness in some people. The active ingredient in Piriteze and most supermarket own-brand hayfever tablets.
- Loratadine — once-a-day and one of the least sedating options. The active ingredient in Clarityn and many generic alternatives.
- Fexofenadine — once-a-day and prescription-strength (120mg); previously prescription-only in the UK, it's now sold over the counter as Allevia. Often tried when other antihistamines haven't worked.
- Branded vs generic: the generic version contains the same active ingredient at the same dose as the branded one, usually at a fraction of the price. This is the single biggest saving in this guide.
- Tablets aren't the only option: steroid nasal sprays target congestion, eye drops target itchy eyes, and drug-free options like barrier balms and HEPA air purifiers reduce your pollen exposure in the first place. Many people combine approaches — your pharmacist can advise on what's safe to use together.
1. Cetirizine Tablets (Piriteze & Generics) — Best All-Rounder
Cetirizine is the UK's most popular hayfever antihistamine, and the price spread is striking. Branded Piriteze Hayfever & Allergy Tablets cost around £7 for 30, while generic cetirizine — the identical 10mg active ingredient — can be found for under £5 for a six-month supply of 180 tablets.
If you get through a pack a month across the summer, switching from branded to generic cetirizine is comfortably the biggest saving available to hayfever sufferers.
Key Features:- One tablet daily, 10mg cetirizine hydrochloride
- Classed as non-drowsy (may still affect some people)
- Widely available as cheap generics and supermarket own brands
- Best For: Everyday hayfever relief at the lowest cost per tablet.
2. Loratadine Tablets (Clarityn & Generics) — Best for Daytime Alertness
Loratadine is generally regarded as one of the least sedating antihistamines, which makes it a popular choice for drivers, office workers and students sitting summer exams. Branded Clarityn Allergy Tablets start at around £3.50 for 10 at the supermarket, while generic loratadine 10mg tablets cost from around £3 for a month's supply — and bulk multipacks bring the per-tablet price down further.
There's also a sugar-free Clarityn syrup for those who struggle with tablets.
Key Features:- One tablet daily, 10mg loratadine
- One of the least drowsy antihistamine options
- Generic versions offer substantial savings over the brand
- Best For: All-day relief when you need to stay sharp.
3. Fexofenadine Tablets (Allevia) — Strongest Over-the-Counter Option
Fexofenadine 120mg used to be prescription-only in the UK. It's now sold over the counter as Allevia, and it's the option many people turn to when cetirizine or loratadine haven't done the job. A pack of 30 typically costs £10–£12.50 depending on retailer, and generic fexofenadine alternatives (such as Histallay and Treathay) have started appearing at noticeably lower prices.
Prices for Allevia vary more between retailers than almost any other product in this guide, so it pays to compare before you buy.
Key Features:- One tablet daily, prescription-strength 120mg fexofenadine
- 24-hour relief, classed as non-drowsy
- Generic fexofenadine brands now available from around £4.50
- Best For: Hayfever that hasn't responded to other antihistamines.
4. Nasal Sprays (Beconase, Pirinase & Sterimar) — Best for Congestion
If a blocked or runny nose is your main symptom, a nasal spray often works better than tablets alone. The two big over-the-counter steroid sprays are Beconase (beclometasone) and Pirinase (fluticasone), both around £5–£11 depending on pack size and retailer. For a drug-free alternative, Sterimar Hayfever & Allergy Relief is a natural sea-water spray that rinses pollen out of the nasal passages and can be used alongside other treatments.
Steroid nasal sprays work best when used regularly — many people start them a couple of weeks before their symptoms usually begin, so early June is exactly the right time to stock up.
Key Features:- Targets congestion, sneezing and runny nose directly
- Beconase and Pirinase from around £5–£6.50
- Sterimar offers a 100% natural, drug-free saline option
- Best For: Blocked noses that tablets alone don't fix.
5. Allergy Eye Drops (Optrex, Opticrom & Vividrin) — Best for Itchy Eyes
Itchy, watery, red eyes are often the symptom tablets deal with least well. Sodium cromoglicate eye drops — sold as Optrex Hayfever Relief, Opticrom Hayfever and Vividrin — target the eyes directly and typically cost £4.50–£6.50 for a 10ml bottle. Boots also sells hayfever tablet-and-eye-drop bundles which can work out cheaper than buying separately.
Key Features:- 2% sodium cromoglicate drops relieve itchy, watery eyes
- From around £4.35 a bottle — prices vary noticeably by retailer
- Can be used alongside antihistamine tablets (check the label)
- Best For: Eye symptoms that persist despite taking tablets.
6. HayMax Allergen Barrier Balm — Best Drug-Free Option
HayMax is a simple idea that's earned a loyal following: an organic balm applied around the nostrils that traps pollen before it gets in. Because it's drug-free and non-drowsy, it can be used by children, during pregnancy and alongside any other treatment (though check with your pharmacist or midwife if unsure). At around £8.50 for a 5ml pot that lasts most of the season, it's a low-risk addition to any hayfever routine.It comes in several variants — Pure, Aloe Vera, Lavender, Frankincense and a Kids version — all the same price at most retailers.
Key Features:- Organic, drug-free pollen barrier applied around the nostrils
- Suitable for children and use alongside other remedies
- One pot typically lasts the whole season
- Best For: Anyone who wants to reduce pollen exposure without medication.
7. HEPA Air Purifiers — Best for Pollen-Free Sleep
Pollen doesn't stay outside — it comes in on clothes, hair and through open windows, which is why many hayfever sufferers find their symptoms flare at night. A HEPA air purifier captures airborne pollen (HEPA filters trap particles far smaller than grass pollen grains), and running one in the bedroom is one of the most effective drug-free ways to improve sleep during peak season.
Compact bedroom models start under £30, while larger units like the Shark NeverChange5 MAX — with a 5-year filter and coverage up to 130m² — sit at the premium end. Look for a true HEPA filter (H13 or "True HEPA") and a quiet night mode.
Key Features:- HEPA filtration captures pollen, dust and pet dander
- Bedroom-sized units from under £30
- A one-off purchase that helps year-round with dust and indoor allergies
- Best For: Better sleep during peak pollen season.
How to Save Money on Hayfever Relief This Summer
- Buy generic. Generic cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine contain the same active ingredient as Piriteze, Clarityn and Allevia. The saving over a full season can easily exceed £30.
- Buy in bulk. Six-month supplies of generic antihistamines often cost less than a single month of the branded equivalent.
- Compare across retailer types. Supermarkets (Morrisons), high-street pharmacies (Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy), online pharmacies (Pharmacy2u) and Amazon all price the same products differently — the cheapest retailer changes product by product.
- Start early. Steroid nasal sprays work best when started before symptoms peak, and prices tend to rise as demand spikes in late June.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hayfever season start and end in the UK?
Tree pollen runs from late March to mid-May, grass pollen — which affects the majority of sufferers — from mid-May to July, and weed pollen from June to September. Grass pollen typically peaks in the first two weeks of June and again in early July.
What's the difference between cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine?
All three are once-daily antihistamines that treat the same symptoms. Loratadine is generally the least sedating, cetirizine is the most widely available and cheapest in generic form, and fexofenadine (Allevia) is prescription-strength and often tried when the others haven't worked. If none of them controls your symptoms, see a pharmacist or GP.
Are generic hayfever tablets as good as branded ones?
Generic tablets contain the same active ingredient at the same dose and must meet the same UK regulatory standards as branded versions. The main differences are packaging and price — generics are often 50–80% cheaper.
Can I take hayfever tablets and use a nasal spray at the same time?
Many people use an antihistamine tablet alongside a steroid nasal spray or eye drops, as they target different symptoms. Always read the label of each product, and check with your pharmacist before combining treatments — especially for children, during pregnancy, or if you take other medication.
Do air purifiers actually help with hayfever?
A purifier with a true HEPA filter will capture airborne pollen in the room it's running in, and many sufferers find a bedroom unit noticeably improves sleep during peak season. It reduces indoor exposure rather than treating symptoms, so it works best alongside — not instead of — your usual remedies.
Final Thoughts
Hayfever relief is one of the clearest cases where comparing prices pays off: the same active ingredient can cost £3 or £12 depending on the box it comes in and the shop you buy it from. Start with a generic once-a-day antihistamine, add a nasal spray or eye drops if specific symptoms persist, and consider drug-free options like HayMax and a bedroom air purifier to cut your pollen exposure at the source.
Use the price comparisons above to check today's cheapest retailer for each product — and if your symptoms are severe or over-the-counter options aren't helping, your pharmacist is the best first port of call.