Are there prescription-only hay fever treatments?
Yes, there are hay fever treatments in the UK that require a prescription from a doctor. These include stronger antihistamine tablets and certain nasal sprays not available over the counter. The NHS usually suggests trying pharmacy-bought options first for mild cases, but prescribes these for more severe symptoms.
Key points:
- Some stronger antihistamine tablets, like higher-dose fexofenadine, need a prescription.
- Certain nasal sprays, such as those with azelastine or specific steroids, are prescription-only.
- Hay fever injections are available privately but not on the NHS.
- GPs prescribe these treatments mainly for severe cases after over-the-counter options fail.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by medino's clinical team.