Do nasal sprays work better than antihistamine tablets?
Nasal sprays are generally more effective than antihistamine tablets for managing hay fever symptoms. Research shows that nasal sprays work faster and are particularly better at relieving nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching. However, the choice between them depends on your specific symptoms and which treatment suits you best, so it's worth discussing options with your GP.
Key points:
- Steroid nasal sprays are more effective than antihistamine tablets for nasal obstruction and overall quality of life
- Antihistamine nasal sprays work faster and more effectively than oral antihistamine tablets
- Antihistamine tablets are better at targeting itching, sneezing, and runny nose when taken as a preventative measure
- Both treatments produce comparable results for reducing allergic rhinitis symptoms in some studies, so individual response varies
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by medino's clinical team.