Allergy sufferers looking for relief at the local pharmacy are faced with many product choices. To make the right choice for you, you first need to recognize and understand your symptoms. Then, learn what medicines are available over-the-counter, how each medicine works, and which symptoms each type of medicine is designed to treat.
What’s happening: The allergic response
Allergies are the immune system’s response to normally harmless substances that it mistakes for harmful substances. Exposure to what is normally a harmless substance, such as pollen, causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. Substances that cause allergies are called allergens.
When you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system kicks into gear. If you are allergic to pollens or other substance that you breathe in, the membranes in your nose might become irritated, swollen, and inflamed, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, headache, and/or congestion (pressure) in your nose and head. Your eyes also might water and itch. If you are allergic to something that comes into contact with your skin, you might break out in hives or a rash. Taking the right medicine for your symptoms is important.
Medicines available over-the-counter to treat allergy symptoms
There are many medicines available over-the-counter to treat mild allergy symptoms. The most common medicines are antihistamines and decongestants. Some medicines combine an antihistamine and a decongestant, and some include a pain reliever.
Antihistamines — When you inhale an allergen, special cells in your nose and sinuses (the open spaces behind your nose and eyes) release a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes the tissues in your nose to itch and swell, and to alter the mucus it secretes. (It becomes clear and runny.) Antihistamine medicines block histamine from interacting with the nasal tissues, thus preventing symptoms.
Decongestants — In response to an allergen, the tissues in your nose swell, and increase their production of fluid and mucus. As a result, you might feel fullness or pressure in your nose and head (congestion), and you might have trouble breathing through your nose. Decongestants help reduce the swelling, which relieves the feeling of pressure and improves airflow through your nose.
Topical corticosteroids — Many products, especially those containing fragrances and/or dyes, can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms include itchy, scaly red patches or rash; swelling; hives; or blisters. Topical (on the skin) corticosteroids can help control the itching, swelling, and redness.
Over-the-counter allergy medicines come in many forms. They are available as pills, nose sprays, eye drops, and topical creams and lotions.
Be PPA aware
Phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, was used for years as an ingredient in many cold and cough remedies to relieve stuffy nose and congestion, and in diet pills to control appetite. In 2000, PPA was linked to a significantly increased risk of stroke, especially in women ages 18 to 49. As a result, the Federal Food and Drug Administration in November 2000 banned the use of PPA in all prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Although newly manufactured drugs do not contain PPA, older medicines you might still have in your medicine cabinet might contain the ingredient. Now might be a good time to clean out your medicine cabinet and discard all old medicines. If you have concerns about PPA or its risks, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist.
Examples of Common Over-the-counter Allergy Medicines
| Type of Medicine |
Brand Name(s) |
Symptoms Treated |
Possible Side Effects |
|
Antihistamine (tablets, caplets, or liquid)
(tablets, caplets, or liquid) |
Benadryl
Chlor-Trimeton
Dimetane
Tavist |
Itchy, runny nose and eyes; sneezing; itchy throat |
Drowsiness or grogginess, upset stomach, dry mouth, impaired coordination and judgment, urinary retention, loss of appetite, excitability (in children) |
|
Decongestant (tablets or caplets)
(tablets or caplets) |
Sudafed
|
Congestion and pressure in head, nose, and ears |
Lightheadedness, wakefulness, nervousness, restlessness (jittery and shaky), increased blood pressure and heart rate; irregular heart beat |
|
Antihistamine/decongestant
(tablets, caplets, or liquid)
(tablets, caplets, or liquid) |
Actifed
Chlor-Trimeton D
Dimetapp
Drixoral
Tavist D |
Itchy, runny nose and eyes; sneezing; congestion |
Possible antihistamine and/or decongestant side effects |
|
Antihistamine/decongestant/ pain reliever
(tablets, caplets, or liquid)
(tablets, caplets, or liquid) |
Advil Cold and Sinus
Comtrex Day/Night
Tylenol Allergy Sinus |
Itchy, runny nose and eyes; sneezing; congestion; headache |
Possible antihistamine and/or decongestant side effects |
| Saline nose sprays |
Ayr Saline
Ocean |
Nasal stuffiness |
None |
| Decongestant nose spray |
Afrin
Neo-Synephrine
Dristan Nasal Spray |
Nasal stuffiness |
Might lead to "rebound" congestion from dependence on the medicine if used for more than 3 to 5 days |
| Cromolyn sodium nose spray) |
Nasalcrom |
Itchy, runny nose; sneezing |
Irritation of the nose/nose bleeds, skin rash, increase in sneezing, unpleasant taste |
| Antihistamine eye drops |
Visine-A (Formerly OcuHist) |
Itchy, watery eyes; eye redness |
Temporary stinging in the eyes or blurred vision; "rebound" redness of the eyes if overused |
|
Topical corticosteroids
|
Cortaid
Cortisone 10 t |
Red, itchy skin, rash, hives |
Burning, dryness, irritation of the skin, increased redness or scaling |
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 1/26/2007
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