Not every health problem needs a GP appointment. A growing number of medicines have been reclassified from prescription-only to pharmacy (P) medicines, meaning a trained pharmacist can sell them to you directly after a short consultation, whether in person or through a pharmacist-led online service such as Pharmica's.
Here are five common treatments you can get this way, without a prescription or a GP referral, along with who they're suitable for.
1. Heartburn and acid reflux relief
Omeprazole 20mg, sold under brand names such as Pyrocalm Control, is available as a pharmacy medicine for the short-term treatment of reflux symptoms like heartburn and acid regurgitation in adults, taken once daily for up to 14 days.1 It works differently to a simple antacid. Rather than neutralising acid that's already there, it reduces the amount your stomach produces in the first place.
There's usually no need to see a GP for occasional heartburn, and a pharmacist can advise on dosing and whether it's the right option for you.2 If symptoms haven't cleared after the 14-day course, or keep returning once you stop, that's the point to see a GP rather than repeat the pack. Omeprazole is available from Pharmica alongside other reflux treatments.
2. Migraine relief
Sumatriptan 50mg tablets can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription, but only for people who have been previously diagnosed with migraine by a doctor.3 The pharmacist will ask about your migraine history before selling it, since sumatriptan isn't suitable for everyone, including people with certain heart conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
This is why a first migraine, or any headache that feels different from your usual pattern, should be assessed by your GP first rather than treated with an over-the-counter pack. Once migraine is diagnosed, though, sumatriptan offers a quick way to get relief for future attacks without waiting for an appointment every time.
3. Hay fever relief
Since 2018, most GP practices in England have stopped prescribing antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and eye drops for hay fever, as national NHS guidance now treats these as self-care items patients are expected to buy themselves.4 Non-drowsy antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine are all available over the counter, and a pharmacist can help you choose one depending on whether you need to stay alert during the day.5
Starting treatment two to four weeks before your usual hay fever season begins tends to give the best results, rather than waiting until symptoms are already bad. Cetirizine and other antihistamines are available directly - no GP visit required.
4. Cold sore treatment
Aciclovir cream, sold under brand names such as Zovirax, is a pharmacy medicine for cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it works best when applied at the very first tingle or itch, before a blister has formed.6 Apply a thin layer five times a day, roughly every four hours, for at least four days and up to ten if the sore hasn't fully healed by then.6
A pharmacist can also point you toward complementary options like cold sore patches. If a sore hasn't healed after 10 days, or looks unusually severe, it's worth getting a GP to take a look rather than continuing to self-treat. Aciclovir cream is available without a prescription.
5. Vaginal thrush treatment
Fluconazole 150mg is a single-dose pharmacy medicine for women aged 16 to 60 with symptoms of vaginal thrush, taken as one capsule swallowed with water.7 It works by stopping the growth of the yeast responsible for the infection, and the patient information leaflet advises seeing a doctor if symptoms haven't settled within a week.
The pharmacist will check it's appropriate before selling it: it isn't suitable if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have had thrush more than twice in the past six months, or take certain other medicines.7 If thrush keeps recurring, that pattern is worth discussing with a GP rather than repeatedly self-treating. Fluconazole is available from Pharmica for one-off episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy omeprazole over the counter in the UK?
Yes. Omeprazole 20mg is sold as a pharmacy medicine for adults with short-term heartburn or acid reflux, and a pharmacist can sell it to you directly without a prescription. It's licensed for up to 14 days' use at a time; if symptoms haven't improved by then, see a GP rather than repeating the course.
Can you buy sumatriptan over the counter in the UK?
You can, but only if you've been diagnosed with migraine by a doctor before. A pharmacist will ask about your migraine history and check for conditions such as heart problems or uncontrolled high blood pressure, which would make sumatriptan unsuitable, before selling you a pack of two 50mg tablets.
Can you buy antihistamines for hay fever without a prescription?
Yes. Non-drowsy antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine are all available over the counter, and most GP practices in England stopped prescribing them for hay fever back in 2018. A pharmacist can help you pick the right one, especially if you need to avoid drowsiness during the day.
Can you buy aciclovir cream over the counter for cold sores?
Yes, aciclovir cream is a pharmacy medicine available without a prescription. It works best applied at the very first tingle, five times a day for at least four days. If a cold sore hasn't healed within 10 days, or looks unusually severe, it's worth getting a GP to check it.
Can you buy fluconazole over the counter for thrush?
Yes, for women aged 16 to 60 with symptoms of vaginal thrush. Fluconazole 150mg is a single-dose pharmacy medicine, but a pharmacist will check it's suitable first, since it isn't recommended if you're pregnant, have had thrush more than twice in six months, or take certain other medicines.
Is this the same as the NHS Pharmacy First service?
No. NHS Pharmacy First is a separate, NHS-funded scheme covering seven specific conditions, such as sinusitis and UTIs. The treatments above work differently - they're medicines that have been reclassified from prescription-only to pharmacy medicines, which any pharmacist, in person or online, can sell after a short consultation.
References
- Medicines.org.uk (emc). Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- NHS. Indigestion. nhs.uk
- NHS. About sumatriptan. nhs.uk
- Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB. Hay fever prescribing guidance. hweclinicalguidance.nhs.uk
- NHS. Antihistamines. nhs.uk
- NHS. How and when to take or use aciclovir. nhs.uk
- Medicines.org.uk (emc). Fluconazole 150mg Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication and speak to a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.