Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but they each have different active ingredients with some possibly inducing drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. “The best allergy medications are antihistamines,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network. We looked at age recommendations, medicine formats, value, symptoms, and different types of antihistamines when reviewing products.
What to Look for in OTC Allergy Medicines
Type of Antihistamine
The antihistamine cetirizine hydrochloride found in Zyrtec and GoodSense All Day Allergy can treat indoor and outdoor symptoms and is safe for children 6 years old and up with a 10-milligram tablet limit per day. It is important to note this antihistamine may cause drowsiness, so keep that in mind if you are treating yourself or your child before school or work. There’s also fexofenadine, found in Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief, which is a non-drowsy antihistamine. Children over the age of 12 and adults can take one 180-milligram tablet per day but should be on the lookout for side effects, like dizziness or nausea. According to Laura Chong, MD, board-certified allergist of the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, “The main side effect to be on the lookout for is [drowsiness], since it can cross the blood-brain barrier.”
Medicine Format
Dr. Chong says there are many different ways antihistamines can be used. “Antihistamines can be used in the forms of pills (mostly over the counter), nasal sprays (prescription only), and in various eye drops (both over the counter and prescription),” she says. There are also OTC allergy medications that are not antihistamines, such as the nasal sprays Flonase and Nasacort that use steroids to treat allergy symptoms. “The antihistamine nasal spray can be used down to age 6, while the oral medications (liquid form) and eye drops with some products can be used down to age 2.” Depending on which method of medication you decide to use, they each offer relief from those pesky allergy symptoms.
Pill – Taken orally, pills are great for easing a runny nose and itchy/watery eyes. Some OTC pills may cause drowsiness, leaving you feeling tired throughout the day. Nasal Spray – With a spritz of spray through your nostrils, this will help relieve any itching or congestion you may have. With antihistamine nasal sprays, you may be left feeling drowsy or have a bitter taste left behind in your mouth. This won’t occur with steroid nasal sprays.Liquid – Also taken orally, in the form of liquid, this type of method is like a pill. Depending on your antihistamine, it may cause you to feel drowsy but will help relieve any allergy symptoms you’re experiencing. Eye Drops – This format is available over the counter or through a prescription. They can help with itchy and red eyes but may leave you with a headache, which is a possible side effect.
Symptoms
If you are one of the millions who suffer from allergies, you’ve more than likely experienced the draining symptoms that come with them. “Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy/red/watery eyes, congestion of the ears, postnasal drainage, sinus pain/pressure, headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing,” says Dr. Chong. Sometimes, over-the-counter medications won’t tackle your allergies, and that’s when it’s best to see an allergist. Some signs that indicate you should see an allergist are if your symptoms are causing you to have difficulty breathing, your ability to carry on your daily life is interfered with due to asthma or allergies, and tightness in your chest. Beyond the pill’s record-breaking relief, it includes fexofenadine, a special non-drowsy antihistamine ingredient that won’t affect your energy levels. All in all, it’s great to know that this medicine can provide 24 hours of relief, for both indoor and outdoor allergies, without getting in the way of your day. Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Fexofenadine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 12 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $39 Expert Notes: “I would avoid decongestants as they can cause rebound symptoms, long term side effects, and are addictive. Examples of decongestants are any allergy med that includes ‘D’ for example, Zyrtec D has a decongestant and plain Zyrtec doesn’t and is okay to use long-term."- Dr. Purvi Parikh, Allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $43 “This product definitely helped with my itchy and irritated eyes all day,” the tester said. “Using this was life changing, to be honest. I finally was able to get rid of the irritations I get that I usually just power through and complain about it.” Type: Eye drops | Active Ingredient: Naphazoline HCI (redness relief), pheniramine maleate (antihistamine)| Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $9 Type: Liquid | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 2 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $7 To make things even more convenient, you should know that you don’t even need water to take this medicine. The tablets will melt in your mouth like butter and they apparently dissolve three times faster than other similar products. And, taking Claritin during pregnancy is typically safe, but don’t forget to check with a doctor first. Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Loratadine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $30 Type: Nasal | Active Ingredient: Triamcinolone acetonide (steroid) | Age Recommendation: 2 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $35 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine Hydrochloride (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $14 Type: Tablet (chewable) | Active Ingredient: Wyethia Helenoides and more (non-antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 3 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $14 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Diphenhydramine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $13 Unless you’re willing to get rid of your pet, many say this is the only thing that works. Additionally, Parikh suggests “keeping the pet out of your bedroom and getting a HEPA air purifier.” Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up | Price at time of publication: $29 Additional reporting by Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey has been a news and feature writer for more than six years with experience at KFOR-TV and BabyGaga.com. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content.
