Home Symptoms Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis — what to take?

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is inflammation of the nasal mucosa from an allergic reaction - sneezing, nasal itching, watery discharge, obstruction. It affects 15-25% of the population.

6 recommended OTC drugs
4,387 pharmacies available

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for allergic rhinitis

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

Types

Seasonal - spring (birch, beech pollen), summer (grasses), autumn (ragweed). Perennial - dust, mites, moulds, pets.

OTC treatment

2nd generation antihistamines - cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, bilastine. 1 tablet daily, starting 2 weeks before the season.

Corticosteroid nasal sprays - mometasone (Nasonex), fluticasone (Flixonase), budesonide (Rhinocort). Most effective for nasal obstruction. Maximum effect after 1-2 weeks.

Topical nasal antihistamines - azelastine (Allergodil) - rapid effect.

Cromoglycate spray - preventive effect, given 3-4 times/day.

Hypertonic sea water - daily nasal irrigation reduces allergen load.

Antiallergic eye drops - olopatadine, ketotifen, cromoglycate for conjunctivitis.

Specific immunotherapy (Rx)

Desensitising vaccine, sublingual or injectable, 3-5 years of treatment. The only one that modifies the disease course - reduces long-term immune response to the allergen.

Allergen avoidance measures

  • Pollen app - avoid outdoor activities at peak times.
  • Window closed, AC with HEPA filter.
  • Evening shower, change clothes after coming indoors.
  • Anti-mite bedding, frequent cleaning.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a physician or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for allergic rhinitis

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for allergic rhinitis

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For allergic rhinitis most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for allergic rhinitis runs over weeks.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Associated dyspnoea or wheezing (suspected asthma)
  • Persistent sinusitis
  • Recurrent nosebleeds
  • Resistance to OTC treatment
  • Significant impact on sleep/activities

Frequently asked

Common questions

Which is better - corticosteroid spray or antihistamine?
Corticosteroid spray is more effective for obstruction. Oral antihistamine is better for itching, sneezing, rhinorrhoea. They are often combined.
How long can I use Nasonex?
Seasonal - throughout the season (2-3 months). Perennial - months-years. Safe long-term at standard doses.
When do I start treatment for spring allergy?
Ideally - 2 weeks before the season (for birch pollen, around March). Daily antihistamine + nasal spray.
Does allergy vaccine really work?
Yes - immunotherapy reduces symptoms by 50-70% and may induce lasting tolerance. It requires 3-5 years of continuous treatment.

See also

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