Telfast vs Claratyne vs Zyrtec: cheapest hayfever tablets in Australia (generics compared)

Loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine are used to relieve the symptoms of hayfever (allergic rhinitis), such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and a runny or blocked nose.

Spring in Australia means hayfever season for a lot of households: for someone who uses an antihistamine regularly during the roughly three-month peak season, a 30-pack a month at $18 a pack works out to about $54 a season at brand price.

The generic equivalent costs about a third of that, which is worth knowing, so this article goes down a research rabbit hole on the three second-generation antihistamines sold in Australia. There are meaningful differences between the three drugs (not just the brand vs generic question), and most people don't realise they have a choice.

This article compares prices and labelled product information, not treatment recommendations: for which one suits your symptoms, that's a question for your pharmacist.

Three commonly available second-generation antihistamines in Australia

These are all "second-generation" antihistamines. They are generally associated with less sedation than some older antihistamines, although drowsiness can still occur with some products: labelled drowsiness varies between the three, covered below. Each is sold under multiple brand names, and as a generic, at dramatically different prices.

These are roughly equivalent comparisons after normalising pack sizes: generics usually come in 50- or 100-packs while the branded versions are sold in 30s. The per-pill price gap is what matters.

Australian generic medicines are required to meet applicable TGA requirements for their particular product and are entered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) where required. Check the individual product details and label rather than assuming that all products are identical. The pillar article on generic vs brand pain relief goes into the regulatory side in detail, and if you're unsure whether a particular generic is suitable, ask your pharmacist.

How the three active ingredients differ

This is the bit most "save money on hayfever tablets!" articles skip. The three drugs are NOT interchangeable: they have different labelled profiles. The numbers below are what's on each product's label/CMI, not this site's clinical judgement; for which one actually suits your symptoms, that's a question for your pharmacist. Here's what each one is and what it costs.

Loratadine (Claratyne / generic)

How long it lasts: About 24 hours. Once-daily dosing.
Onset: Around 1-3 hours, per the product label.
Drowsiness: Labelled non-drowsy.

This is the cheapest of the three. As with any medicine, check the label and ask a pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's right for you.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec / generic)

How long it lasts: About 24 hours.
Onset: Around 1 hour, per the product label.
Drowsiness: Listed as a possible side effect on the label.

Some people prefer to take it in the evening for that reason. Whether it's a better fit for your symptoms than loratadine or fexofenadine isn't something a price comparison can tell you: check the label and ask your pharmacist.

Fexofenadine (Telfast / generic)

How long it lasts: About 24 hours at 180mg dose.
Onset: 1-3 hours, per the product label.
Drowsiness: Labelled non-sedating.

Telfast is the premium-priced one. Both it and loratadine are labelled non-drowsy, so whether the price premium is worth it for you isn't something a price comparison can answer. If loratadine hasn't worked for you, a pharmacist can explain whether fexofenadine or another option is appropriate.

Where prices vary

Prices for these generics vary by retailer, and change over time. A few general patterns from current pricing:

1. Chemist Warehouse, in person or via their website. Stocks multiple generic brands, so prices vary between brands and specials.
2. Amazon AU pharmacy sellers. Brands like CutPrice Pharmacy and FB Pharmacy list generic loratadine and cetirizine on Amazon. Prices move relative to Chemist Warehouse depending on the week.
3. Coles or Woolworths pharmacy aisle. Convenient if you're already there; check the shelf price against the options above.
4. Independent pharmacies. Pricing varies by pharmacy; worth checking if it's your only convenient option.

Check current prices before buying rather than relying on a fixed ranking: which option is cheapest changes with specials and stock.

If a single antihistamine isn't enough

If one product isn't controlling your hayfever symptoms, speak with your pharmacist or GP about other treatment options rather than changing or combining medicines yourself.

The annual savings, for a real hayfever sufferer

For someone who uses an antihistamine regularly during Australia's three-month peak hayfever season (roughly September to December in most regions, varying by location), here's what the switch actually saves:

• If you take Claratyne currently: ~$54 for the season at brand price, ~$18 for the generic. Save $36/year.
• If you take Zyrtec currently: ~$66 for the season at brand price, ~$24 for the generic. Save $42/year.
• If you take Telfast currently: ~$90 for the season at brand price, ~$45 for the generic. Save $45/year.

Not life-changing on its own, but it's stacking with everything else: see the full breakdown in the generic vs brand pain relief pillar article. The combined annual saving across paracetamol, ibuprofen, and antihistamines for an average household sits in the $80-150 range, biggest if there's a hayfever sufferer on year-round antihistamines, smaller if you're only buying the occasional headache pack.

The bottom line

1. Generic loratadine is the cheapest of the three in this price comparison. If you're deciding between these medicines, ask your pharmacist which option is appropriate for you.
2. Generic cetirizine and generic fexofenadine are the other two widely available generics: a pharmacist can help you weigh them against loratadine if it isn't working for you, including the drowsiness differences covered above.
3. If you're considering a generic, compare the active ingredient, strength, pack size and price with the branded product. CHOICE has published consumer research on generic vs brand medicines for years.
4. If you regularly use an antihistamine through hayfever season, comparing the price per dose across available pack sizes can help you understand the cost difference.

If you've never bothered with generic switching before, this is one of the more straightforward categories to start with: it's seasonal and well-defined.