Spring 2026 brings people with allergic rhinitis a new season of suffering — pollen from birch, poplar, oak, grasses and ragweed (late summer). Here is the OTC and Rx arsenal in Romanian pharmacies and how to use it effectively.
The main allergens in Romania by season
- March-April: alder, birch, poplar, hazel.
- May-June: grasses (grass, wild wheat, fescue), conifers.
- July-August: plantain, nettle, mugwort.
- August-October: ragweed — the most aggressive allergen in Romania now, with huge concentrations in Banat and Crișana.
Oral antihistamines — the main class
Second generation (non-sedating, the first choice)
They do not cross the blood-brain barrier, so they do not cause drowsiness (or much less than the first generation).
- Loratadine 10 mg — once a day, lasts 24 hours. Preparations: Claritine, Flonidan, Loratadine Terapia. Generic price: 3-7 RON / 10 tablets.
- Cetirizine 10 mg — once a day. More potent than loratadine, but slightly drowsy-making for some people. Alerzina, Zyrtec, Cetirizina Terapia. Price: 4-10 RON.
- Desloratadine 5 mg — the active metabolite of loratadine, more potent. Aerius, Deslort, Desloratadina Teva. Price: 15-35 RON / 10 tablets.
- Levocetirizine 5 mg — the active isomer of cetirizine, more potent and less sedating. Xyzal, Xozal, Levocetirizina Zentiva. Price: 15-30 RON.
- Fexofenadine 120/180 mg — completely non-sedating, the cleanest. Telfast, Alerfex. Price: 30-50 RON.
- Bilastine 20 mg — the new generation, lasts 24 hours, zero sedation. Bilaxten, Lastin. Price: 30-45 RON.
First generation (classic, sedating)
Chlorphenamine, promethazine, hydroxyzine. They cause significant drowsiness. Reserved for special cases (insomnia associated with allergy, acute allergies in the evening).
Nasal sprays — essential in allergic rhinitis
Nasal corticosteroids (spray)
The most effective for persistent allergic rhinitis. They reduce inflammation locally, without significant systemic effects. They work within 2-3 days, with the maximum effect at 1-2 weeks. Use them DAILY in the allergy season, not as needed.
- Mometasone — Nasonex, Mometasone Teva. 2 puffs per nostril per day.
- Fluticasone — Flixonase, Avamys. 2 puffs per nostril per day.
- Beclometasone — Becotide, Rinoclenil.
- Budesonide — Rhinocort.
Many are now OTC, others prescription-only. Check at the pharmacy.
Nasal antihistamines
Azelastine, olopatadine. A fast effect (15-30 min), useful for an acutely blocked nose. Livocab, Otrivin Allergy.
Cromones
Sodium cromoglicate. Older, with a preventive effect (it must be started 2-4 weeks before the season). Lomusol, Lomudal. Useful in children and in pregnancy.
Saline nasal rinses
Seawater or isotonic/hypertonic saline solution. It mechanically removes pollen from the nose and reduces symptoms. Use 1-3 times a day, especially after being outdoors. Sinomarin, Humer, Physiomer, Stérimar.
Eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis
- Local antihistamines — olopatadine (Opatanol), ketotifen (Zaditen eye drops), epinastine.
- Cromones — sodium cromoglicate (Opticrom).
- Eye corticosteroids — only on medical advice, for a limited time.
- Vasoconstrictors — tetryzoline (Vizofrin) — only for 3-5 days, otherwise “rebound congestion”.
Immunotherapy (desensitising vaccine)
For severe, persistent allergies (several seasons), specific immunotherapy (Grazax for grasses, Acarizax for house dust mites, personalised solutions for other allergens) changes the body's immune response. It lasts 3-5 years. Available in Romania through allergists — it requires a prescription and a medical programme.
Effective combinations
Moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis is best treated with:
- A corticosteroid nasal spray DAILY in the season (the basis).
- A second-generation oral antihistamine DAILY in the season (an add-on).
- Saline nasal rinses 1-2 times a day.
- Eye drops as needed.
- Limiting exposure — close the windows, use a HEPA filter, take a shower after a walk in the park.
When to see an allergist
- Severe symptoms that affect your sleep or work.
- Several consecutive seasons.
- Allergy associated with asthma or chronic sinusitis.
- OTC medication is not enough.
- You want an exact diagnosis (skin tests, specific IgE).
Comparative prices
Check the Allergies category for current prices at Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet. Differences between chains can reach 30-40% for the same molecule.
Measures to avoid exposure
Medication is only half of the strategy — reducing your exposure to pollen amplifies its effect:
- Check the pollen calendar — apps such as Pollen.ro, Breezometer or Klarify show the daily concentration. Avoid outdoor activities on days with a very high concentration.
- The best time to go out — after rain (the pollen is washed out of the air) or late in the evening.
- Close the windows in the season — ventilate only early in the morning or after rain.
- A HEPA filter in the bedroom — reduces the pollen concentration by 70-90%.
- Shower and wash your hair in the evening — pollen settles in your hair and on your skin during the day.
- Clothes worn outside — straight into the washing machine, not thrown on the bed.
- Sunglasses — reduce the contact of pollen with the conjunctiva.
- Avoid mowing the grass and walking in parks when grasses are at their peak.
Cross-allergies with foods
More than 50% of people allergic to pollen also have oral allergy syndrome — reactions to certain raw fruits/vegetables:
- Birch allergy — a reaction to apple, pear, peach, carrot, raw hazelnuts, almonds, soya.
- Grass allergy — a reaction to watermelon, tomatoes, raw potatoes.
- Ragweed allergy — a reaction to banana, melon, cucumbers.
Cooked/baked fruit usually no longer triggers the reaction. Talk to your allergist if the oral symptoms are severe.
Conclusion
Spring allergy can be comfortably controlled with the right combination. Do not use only antihistamines when you also have a blocked nose — add a corticosteroid spray, which is much more effective. Start treatment 1-2 weeks before your specific season, not only at the first symptoms. Check the prices in the HartaFarmacii Allergies category.
Frequently asked questions
- Which antihistamine is the best for allergies?
- Among the second generation, bilastine and fexofenadine are the “cleanest” (non-sedating). Levocetirizine and desloratadine are more potent. Loratadine is the cheapest and enough for mild-to-moderate allergies.
- Are corticosteroid nasal sprays dangerous?
- Not at standard doses. Systemic absorption is minimal, and the side effects are local (nasal dryness, sometimes nosebleeds). Used correctly (not aimed directly at the septum), they are safe for whole seasons, even years.
- When should I start treatment for a pollen allergy?
- 1-2 weeks before your season begins. If you are allergic to birch, start in mid-March. Corticosteroid sprays reach their maximum effect after 1-2 weeks of use.
- Does the allergy vaccine really work?
- Yes, specific immunotherapy has solid clinical evidence. The treatment lasts 3-5 years, but the results remain stable for 7-10 years after stopping. Recommended for severe, persistent allergies, through an allergist.
- Can I drive while taking antihistamines?
- With the second generation (loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, bilastine, desloratadine) — yes, with a minimal risk of sedation. With the first generation (chlorphenamine, promethazine, hydroxyzine) — NO, marked sedation. Check the label.