Hay Fever: Quick Relief with a Prescription
If medically necessary, our team of doctors will write a prescription for the medication you need. This allows you to obtain your medication quickly and easily.
Over 25 years of experience in telemedicine
Over 8 million treatments performed
93% say, “Medgate was able to help me.”
Your Benefits
- Request a hay fever prescription via a questionnaire in just a few minutes
- Medical feedback within 24 hours
- Various medications to choose from
- Pick up your prescription directly at a pharmacy near you
So you don't even have to pay attention to the pollen report
1 Fill out the questionnaire
In the Medgate app, you can answer a few short questions about your health and select the medication you want.
2 Medical Assessment
Our doctors will process your request within 24 hours and, if medically appropriate, issue a prescription.
3 Pick up medication
Pick up your medication as soon as possible at a pharmacy near you.
Costs
Prescription requests through Medgate are billed as part of statutory health insurance coverage (similar to a doctor’s office visit) and are recognized by all Swiss health insurers. A prescription request costs an average of CHF 20.
Furthermore, under certain insurance plans offered by our partner health insurers, there are no costs associated with the deductible or copayment.
Here's How Medgate Can Help
- Response from a doctor within 24 hours (on business days) via the app
- Prescription issuance
- If necessary: Issuance of referrals to a doctor’s office near you
- After diagnosis: Provision of a treatment plan in the app
- Experienced doctors licensed in Switzerland and trained in telemedicine
- Service available in 4 languages: German, French, Italian, and English
- High level of expertise thanks to over 25 years of experience in telemedicine
- Recognized by all Swiss health insurers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the service cost?
Could my prescription request be denied?
Where can I fill my prescription?
Do I need to talk to a doctor?
Is my data secure?
Everything in one place with the Medgate app
In addition to the “Prescription Request” feature, the Medgate app offers other practical options:
- Appointment booking: take advantage of last-minute openings
- Receive your treatment plan and other documents in the app
- Chat directly with the Medgate medical team
- Save your favorite doctors
- Digital symptom questionnaire with automated initial assessment
- Receive appointment reminders and health recommendations
With the Medgate app, you’re always prepared in case of an emergency. Download it for free now.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that occurs seasonally when certain plants and trees bloom. The symptoms result from an overreaction of the immune system, which classifies the pollen as dangerous and releases histamines to fight it. These histamines cause the typical hay fever symptoms.
Symptoms of hay fever may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
- Watery eyes
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty concentrating
Prescription hay fever medications: An overview of effective hay fever medications, their active ingredients, and how they work
There are various types of hay fever medications that work in different ways to relieve symptoms. You can request the following medications from Medgate:
Antihistamines
These block the effects of histamines, which are released during an allergic reaction. They are particularly effective against itching, sneezing, and a runny nose.
Azelastine
- Allergodil® (seasonal) nasal spray
Bilastine
- Bilaxten
Cetirizine
- Amavita
- Cet
- Cetallerg
- Ceteco
- Cetifelan
- Cetirizine
- Coop
- Sun
- Zyrtec
Desloratadine
- Aerius
- Deslora
- Desloratadine
Fexofenadine
- Fexo
- Fexofenadine
- Fexofenadine
- Telfast
- Telfastin
Levocetirizine
- Levocet
- Levocetirizine
- Xyzal
Loratadine
- Allergo-X
- Claritine
- Claritine Pollen
- Lora
- Lorado
- Loratadine
- Loratin
Intranasal Steroids
Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the nose and are very effective in treating nasal congestion and other nasal symptoms.
Budesonide
- Budesonide
- Cortinasal
Fluticasone furoate
- Avamys
- Flutinase
Fluticasone
- Dymista (combination medication containing an antihistamine and a corticosteroid)
- Nasofan
Mometasone
- Mometasone
- Mometasone furoate
- Nasonex
Triamcinolone
- Nasacort
Taking Hay Fever Medications
Taking hay fever medications correctly is crucial for their effectiveness. Here are some general tips:
- Antihistamines: These are best taken regularly, especially during pollen season, to ensure continuous relief.
- Nasal sprays:
- Shake the container well
- Do not tilt your head back; instead, look down
- Insert the nozzle and aim the spray not at the nasal septum, but at the outer wall of the nose
- Repeat for the other nostril
- Do not inhale the medication into your nose.
- Tablets and capsules: Take them with plenty of water and follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions.
Side Effects and Interactions of Hay Fever Medications
As with all medications, hay fever medications can also cause side effects. Common side effects include:
- Antihistamines: Fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness
- Corticosteroids: nosebleeds, headaches, dry nasal mucosa
Interactions may occur when hay fever medications are taken with other medications. Always consult a doctor before taking hay fever medications to avoid interactions.
When to Avoid Hay Fever Medications
In certain cases, hay fever medications should be avoided:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Some medications may not be safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about safe alternatives.
- Chronic conditions: People with certain chronic conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, should only take hay fever medications after consulting a doctor.
- Allergies to ingredients: If you are allergic to certain ingredients in hay fever medications, you should avoid them and ask your doctor about alternatives.
Common Misconceptions About Hay Fever Medications Debunked
There are many misconceptions about hay fever medications. Here are some of the most common ones:
- “Antihistamines always make you drowsy”: Modern second-generation antihistamines cause less drowsiness than older medications.
- “Nasal sprays are habit-forming”: Corticosteroid nasal sprays are not habit-forming, whereas decongestant nasal sprays can be problematic with prolonged use.
- “Hay fever goes away with age”: While symptoms may improve over the years for some people, hay fever remains a lifelong problem for many.
Tips for Choosing Medication: How to Find the Right Hay Fever Treatment
Choosing the right hay fever medication can be a challenge. Here are a few tips:
- Analyze your symptoms: Note which symptoms are most severe, and choose a medication that specifically targets those symptoms.
- Consult a doctor or pharmacist: Seek advice from a healthcare professional to make the best choice for your specific needs.
- Be aware of side effects: Learn about possible side effects and choose a medication that you can tolerate.
Contact
If you have any questions, our medical team is available to assist you: +41 58 387 77 88 (Medgate patient reception, available 24/7).
Disclaimer
These articles are provided for informational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. They are not a substitute for personal medical consultation and treatment. Medgate has carefully compiled this information but cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Medgate assumes no liability for any damages that may result from the use of this information. Are you sick and need help? Our doctors are available to you around the clock via the Medgate app.