allergy meds

 Allergy Medications


   Know Your Options


Allergy Medications: Know Your Options

Several types of medications are used to treat the symptoms of allergy. Information is provided below.
Written by Mayo Clinic Staff

Medications to treat allergies are available in the form of pills, liquids, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, skin creams and injections. Some medications to treat allergies are over-the-counter, others are only sold by prescription. Here's a summary of the various types of allergy medicines and why they are used.
Antihistamines

Antihistamines block histamine, a chemical that causes the symptom and is released by the immune system during an allergic reaction.
Tablets and liquids

Oral antihistamines, available as over-the-counter and prescription medicines, relieve a runny nose, itchy eyes or watery eyes, hives, swelling, and other signs or symptoms of allergies. As some of these medications can cause drowsiness and fatigue, be careful about taking them if you are going to drive or perform other activities that require you to be alert.

Antihistamines that cause drowsiness include:

    Diphenhydramine
    Chlorpheniramine

It is much less likely that these antihistamines cause drowsiness:

    Cetirizine (Zyrtec for Allergy)
    Desloratadine (Clarinex)
    Fexofenadine (Allegra for allergy)
    Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
    Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)

Nasal sprays

Nasal spray antihistamines help relieve sneezing, itchy nose or runny nose, nasal congestion, and subsequent nasal drip. Some of the side effects of nasal spray antihistamines are bitter taste, drowsiness or fatigue. Prescription antihistamine nasal sprays include:

    Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro)
    Olopatadine (Patanase)

Eye Drops

Antihistamine drops for the eyes, available over-the-counter or prescription, can relieve itching, redness and swelling of the eyes. These drops may have a combination of antihistamines and other medications.

Side effects can be headache and dry eyes. If the antihistaminic drops burn or burn, try to keep them in the refrigerator or use drops of cold artificial tears before using the medicated drops. Some examples are:

    Azelastine (Optivar)
    Emedastine (Emadine)
    Ketotifen (Alaway)
    Olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol, Pazeo)
    Pheniramine (Visine-A, Opcon-A, others)

Decongestants

Decongestants are used to achieve rapid and temporary relief of nasal congestion and sinus congestion. They can cause insomnia, headaches, increased blood pressure and irritability. They are not recommended for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, glaucoma or hyperthyroidism.
Pills and liquids

Oral decongestants relieve nasal congestion and paranasal sinuses that cause allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrinol or others), are available as over-the-counter medications.

Some oral antiallergics contain a combination of decongestant and antihistamine. For example:

    Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
    Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Clarinex-D)
    Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D)
    Loratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)

Aerosols and nasal drops

Aerosols and nasal decongestant drops relieve nasal congestion and sinus congestion if used for short periods. Repeated use of these medications for more than three days may cause congestion to recur or worsen. For example:

    Oximetazoline (Afrin, Dristan or others)
    Tetrahydrozoline (Tyzine)

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids relieve symptoms by eliminating the inflammation associated with allergy.
Nasal sprays

Corticosteroids in aerosol prevent and relieve congestion, sneezing and runny nose. Side effects may include unpleasant odor or taste, nasal irritation and nosebleeds. For example:

    Budesonide (Rhinocort)
    Fluticasone Furoate (Flonase Sensimist, Veramyst)
    Fluticasone Propionate (Flonase for Relief of Allergies)
    Mometasone (Nasonex)
    Triamcinolone (Nasacort 24-hour for allergy)

For those who are disturbed by the sensation of liquid descending through the throat, or the taste, there are two aerosol formulas:

    Beclomethasone (QnSL)
    Ciclesonide (Zetonna)
    Inhalers

    Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used daily as part of the treatment of asthma provoked or complicated by reactions to allergic triggers present in the air (allergens). Side effects are usually minor and may include mouth and throat irritation and oral candidosis. Some inhalers combine corticosteroids with other asthma medications. Prescription inhalers include:
        Beclomethasone (Qvar)
        Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)
        Ciclesonida (Alvesco, Zetonna)
        Fluticasone (Advair Diskus, Flovent Diskus and others)
        Mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler)
    Eye Drops

    Eye drops with corticosteroids are used to relieve red, itchy, and persistently itchy eyes when other interventions are not effective. A doctor who specializes in eye disorders (ophthalmologist) is usually responsible for controlling the administration of these drops, due to the risk of vision impairment, cataracts, glaucoma and infections. For example:
        Fluorometholone (Flarex, FML)
        Loteprednol (Alrex, Lotemax)
        Prednisolone (Omnipred, Pred Forte and others)
    Pills and liquids

    Oral corticosteroids are given for the treatment of severe symptoms caused by all types of allergic reactions. Prolonged use may cause cataracts, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, gastric ulcers, increased blood sugar (glucose), and growth retardation in children. Oral corticosteroids may also worsen hypertension. Prescription oral corticosteroids include:
        Prednisolone (Prelone)
        Prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rays)
        Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
    Creams for the skin

    Creams with corticosteroids relieve allergic skin reactions such as itching, redness, peeling, or other irritations. Some creams with low-potency corticosteroids are available without a prescription, but talk to your doctor before using these medications for more than a few weeks.

    Side effects may include irritation and color changes in the skin. Prolonged use, especially of stronger prescription corticosteroids, can lead to thinning of the skin and alteration of normal hormone levels. For example:
        Betamethasone (Dermabet, Diprolene and others)
        Desonida (Desonate, DesOwen)
        Hydrocortisone (Cortaid, MiCort-HC and others)
        Mometasone (Elocon)Stabilizers of mast cells

Mast cell stabilizers block the release of immune system chemicals that contribute to allergic reactions. In general, these medications are safe, but they should often be used for several days to achieve maximum effect. They are usually used when antihistamines do not work or are not well tolerated.
Nasal spray

Generic over-the-counter nasal sprays are sold as cromolyn.
Eye Drops

Some prescription eye drops are as follows:

     Cromolin (Crolom)
     Lodoxamide (Allomide)
     Pemirolast (Alamast)
     Nedocromil (Alocril)