When is the Best Time to Take Your Hay Fever Tablets?

• For peak pollen protection: take non-drowsy antihistamines in the morning
• To avoid daytime drowsiness: sedating antihistamines are best taken at night
• For preventative relief: take your medication before symptoms appear on high pollen days
• For steady protection: take your tablet at the same time each day

So, we’ve established that taking your hay fever tablet first thing in the morning is best, but why?

The pollen count usually rises between late morning and early afternoon, which triggers symptoms. Taking your antihistamine tablet as early as possible will help protect you from the pollen allergens and keep your symptoms at bay.

This strategy means that you’ll be protected throughout the day and into the evening too, as antihistamines such as Loratadine and Cetirizine offer protection for around 24 hours.

In the Morning

If you’re treating hay fever with a non-drowsy antihistamine, taking it in the morning gives you the best chance of beating bothersome symptoms. This is why:

• Your body has time to absorb the antihistamine before pollen is released into the air
• Drowsiness is possible with some antihistamines; you’ll avoid feeling sluggish during the day by opting for a non-drowsy formulation
• You won’t have to worry about restricting outdoor activities because you’ll be fully protected by the time the pollen count is high

In the Evening

Sometimes you may decide to take your allergy meds at night, particularly when using second-generation antihistamines, as they have a sedative effect. This can be beneficial for:

• People with asthma: Antihistamines reduce postnasal drip and inflammation and can prevent nighttime coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness.
• Improving sleep: symptoms can worsen at night due to lying down and indoor allergens
• Staying alert during the day: opting for a nighttime dosage lessens your risk of feeling drowsy during the day

The Impact of Pollen on Your Body

Understanding how pollen affects your body can really help you time your hay fever meds for the best relief.

When you have hay fever, your immune system overreacts and treats pollen like a threat even though it’s harmless. This leads to the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause classic hay fever symptoms.

The pollen count varies depending on the variety of plant and weather conditions; therefore, getting the timings just right when taking your hay fever tablets will help combat the histamine reaction before it has the opportunity to trigger irritating symptoms.

For example, tree pollen is released around late March to May, with it at its highest early morning and early evening. However, weather conditions and the type of species can affect this. The best temperature range for tree pollen production in early spring is between 13 – 15 °C, especially for species common in the UK; however, anything between 15°C to 25°C is generally considered an optimal range.

Not all hay fever medications are the same; some are designed to work faster than others, and this can affect what time of the day you take them:

Morning

One a day single dose antihistamines that are best taken first thing because they offer 24-hour protection include:

• Loratadine, also known as Clarityn
• Cetirizine, also known as Zirtek

Taking a nasal decongestant in the morning, when the pollen count is high, will maximise relief from blocked sinuses. Fast-acting ones include:

• Sudafed

Morning and Evening

On some occasions, a shorter duration of protection may be a better option. With these medications, you can spread out the dosage:

• Benadryl (antihistamine)
• Beconase (steroid nasal spray)
• Dymista (steroid nasal spray)

Time Medicine into Your Daily Routine for Better Results

Luckily, a few simple strategies can help you fit your allergy treatment into even the most hectic routine:

• Keep to a set routine by setting alarms or app notifications
• Keep medications in place where you visit every morning, whether that’s by your breakfast cereal or phone as a reminder
• Try to take your meds in the same way each day, for example, with a cup of tea
• Always be prepared by keeping a spare medication in your bag for if you accidentally forget to take it at home

Adding some of these techniques into your daily routine will mean that taking your allergy meds will soon feel automatic with no extra effort required.

Making Seasonal Adjustments

Your schedule may need to be adjusted depending on the time of year to sit in line with pollen shifts.

Each type of pollen has its own schedule:

• Tree: release is early in the year, often starting in spring mornings. Shifting your dose a bit earlier during these months can help you get ahead of symptoms.
• Grass: dominates late spring and summer, so taking your dose first thing ensures protection through the day when levels are highest.
• Weed: By late summer and autumn, weeds like ragweed take over. If your symptoms hit later in the day, adjusting your dose slightly later might better align with when exposure ramps up.

Everyone’s allergies are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all schedule. The best approach is to track when your symptoms are at their worst and time your medication to act before they take hold.

Digitally Tracking Your Medication

Instead of trying to remember whether you took your tablet, you can automate the process.

You could set up medication reminders, which allow you to set up reminders for GP-prescribed medications that appear in your medical record. As well as this, set daily reminders on your phone, smartwatch, or even your home assistant to prompt you at the exact time you need.

If you like to stay ahead of symptoms, certain apps can monitor real-time pollen forecasts and alert you when levels are high. Some even recommend when to medicate based on your known triggers.

The key is finding the tools that fit naturally into your life and using them to stay one step ahead of your symptoms.

Consulting Your Doctor for Personalised Advice

If your hay fever meds aren’t cutting it, it’s probably time to check in with your doctor. You don’t have to tough it out; sometimes all it takes is a quick conversation to get things back on track.

Your current treatment might just need a small adjustment, like a different dose, a new medication, or a closer look at side effects.

Before your appointment, you could prep key information such as:

• What you’re taking and how much
• When you typically take it
• What times of day do your symptoms flare up?
• Any other remedies, prescriptions, or over-the-counter meds you’re using
• What do you think your main triggers are? (Tree pollen, grass, dust, etc.)

This information gives your doctor the context they need to figure out what’s working, what’s not, and what to try next.

Remember: Effective allergy management is a collaboration. Speak up, stay informed, and don’t settle for feeling “just okay” because you deserve sufficient relief.

Seasonal allergies can take a toll, but you don’t have to manage them on your own.

At Chemist Click, we make it easy to get expert guidance and effective hay fever treatment, all from the comfort of your home.

It starts with a quick and easy online consultation. Just answer a few questions about:

• The symptoms you’re experiencing and how often they occur
• Any triggers you’ve noticed (like pollen, pets, or dust)
• What medications or remedies you have already tried
• Other relevant health or allergy-related concerns

Once we’ve reviewed your responses, our qualified pharmacists will assess your situation and recommend the most suitable hay fever medicine.

We’ll recommend the appropriate dosage and formulation to suit your lifestyle and symptoms, and if you’re happy with the plan, we’ll arrange fast, discreet delivery directly to your door.

We don’t stop there; If something’s not working quite right, we’re here to help you tweak and adjust your treatment until it does.

Don’t let hay fever disrupt your life any longer. Chemist Click makes getting the right hay fever treatment simple, safe, and stress-free.

Is it Better to Take Antihistamines at Night or in the Morning?

This depends on the type of antihistamine you choose to take. Non-drowsy formulations are better suited for the daytime, so you can stay alert. First-generation antihistamines are best taken at night because they can cause a sedative effect.

Is it Better to Take Antihistamines Before or After Food?

Antihistamines are not typically affected by food, but you should always refer to the specific patient information leaflet enclosed with your medication.

When do you Take Antihistamine Tablets?

They are usually taken to relieve symptoms from allergies such as hay fever, dust mites, and dead skin cells from pets. You can also take them early to prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place.

Is it okay to Take Antihistamines Before Bed?

Yes, some people prefer to take antihistamines before bed, particularly the drowsy formulations. If hay fever symptoms are causing sleeping problems, taking the antihistamine at night can help to relieve them.

Is it okay to Take Two Hay Fever Tablets a Day?

Antihistamine dosage is usually one tablet per day. You shouldn’t take more than one tablet unless advised by your doctor because this can increase your risk of adverse effects.