Because you can't always avoid allergy triggers, you may need medication to help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Allergy medications are available in pill, liquid, nasal spray, eyedrop and skin cream (topical) forms. Some are available over-the-counter while others are available by prescription only.
The best medication or combination of medications for you depends on your symptoms, what other health conditions you have and what other medications you take. Certain allergy medications work better for some people than others. You may need to try a few different medications to determine which ones are most effective and have the least bothersome side effects.
To choose the best allergy medications for you, learn what's available to treat your symptoms — and work with your doctor to figure out what medications is best for you.
Options for allergy medications
There are several types of medications used to treat and prevent allergy symptoms. Medications are available in pill and liquid forms, nasal sprays, eyedrops and skin creams.
- Corticosteroids help prevent and treat the inflammation associated with allergic conditions.
- Antihistamines block histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
- Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
- Leukotriene modifiers block the effects of leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
- Cromolyn sodium prevents the release of histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction.
Corticosteroids
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal sprays Examples include:
| These prescription medications prevent and relieve allergy symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose. For many people, these nasal sprays are the most effective treatment for allergy symptoms caused by hay fever or pets. It may take a few days or longer of regular use before your symptoms improve. Nasal corticosteroids are generally safe for extended use. | Mild side effects can include:
|
| Eyedrops Examples include:
| Corticosteroid eyedrops are prescription medications used to treat severe allergy symptoms such as red, watery and itchy eyes caused by hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. They are used for only a short period of time when other types of eyedrops don't work. You may be advised to avoid these medications if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. | These medications can cause:
|
| Skin creams Examples include:
| These medications relieve the scaling and itching caused by eczema (atopic dermatitis). Some low-potency corticosteroid creams are available without a prescription, but you should always talk to your doctor before using any topical corticosteroid. | Side effects can include:
|
| Pills and liquids Examples include:
| Oral corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat severe allergy symptoms. Because they can cause serious side effects, they're usually prescribed for only short periods of time. | Long-term use of these medications can cause serious side effects such as:
|
Antihistamines
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Over-the-counter examples include:
Prescription examples include:
| Antihistamines block the action of histamine, an inflammatory chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. Blocking histamine reduces such symptoms as redness, swelling, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and hives (urticaria). | Older, first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) and clemastine (Tavist) may make you sleepy. Avoid using them before driving or operating heavy machinery. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) may cause drowsiness in some people. |
| Nasal spray Examples include:
| This prescription medication helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy or runny nose, sinus congestion, and postnasal drip. | Side effects of this medication can include:
|
| Eyedrops Over-the-counter examples include:
Prescription examples include:
| Antihistamine eyedrops can reduce itching, redness and swelling associated with allergies. You may need to use these medications several times a day, as the effects may last only a few hours. | Side effects of these medications can include:
Antihistamine eyedrops increase the risk of eye inflammation for contact lens wearers, so you're safer wearing glasses during treatment. |
Decongestants
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Pills and liquids Examples include:
Many medications contain a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine combined with other medications. Claritin-D, for example, contains pseudoephedrine and an antihistamine. | Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion caused by hay fever, as well as eye congestion caused by allergic conjunctivitis. Most decongestants are available over-the-counter. You should not use these medications if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). | Side effects of these medications can include:
|
| Nasal sprays Examples include:
| Decongestant sprays relieve nasal, sinus and eye congestion. Don't use a decongestant nasal spray for more than two or three days at a time. After longer use, you may develop severe congestion as soon as you stop (rebound congestion). | Nasal decongestants can cause:
Taking too much of a nasal decongestant may cause:
|
| Eyedrops Examples include:
| Over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops or combined decongestant-antihistamine eyedrops can temporarily alleviate symptoms such as redness and itchiness of the eye. | Side effects include:
|
Leukotriene modifiers
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Pills and tablets Leukotriene modifiers are available only by prescription. They're produced in pill and chewable tablet form. Examples include:
| These drugs block the effects of leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. Such medications have proved most effective in treating asthma, but montelukast also relieves hay fever symptoms. | Side effects differ for each type of leukotriene inhibitor, but can include:
|
Cromolyn and mast cell stabilizers
| Type | Purpose | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal spray Available over-the-counter, the nasal spray cromolyn sodium (examples include NasalCrom, Children's NasalCrom) works best when you take it before your symptoms develop. Some people need to use the spray three or four times a day. | Mast cell stabilizer nasal sprays prevent the release of the symptom-triggering chemical histamine. They reduce symptoms associated with hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. | This medication can cause minor side effects, which include:
|
| Eyedrops Several different mast cell stabilizer eyedrops are available by prescription. None are sold over-the-counter. Examples include:
| Mast cell stabilizer eyedrops prevent the release of the symptom-triggering chemical histamine. They reduce symptoms associated with hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis. | Cromolyn sodium and lodoxamide can cause:
Pemirolast may cause:
Nedocromil may cause side effects including:
|
When allergies trigger asthma
If you have the type of asthma triggered by allergies, your doctor may recommend medications such as:
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Bronchodilators
- Allergy desensitization shots (immunotherapy)
Omalizumab (Xolair), an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, may help you if you have severe allergic asthma. Administered by injection every two to four weeks, omalizumab blocks the IgE antibodies that your immune system produces as a reaction to allergens such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander.
Immunotherapy: An option if medications are ineffective
If you have hay fever symptoms or allergic asthma that doesn't improve with medications or if you aren't able to take allergy medications without side effects, your doctor may recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy). Over a period of three to five years, you receive regular injections containing allergen extracts. The goal is to desensitize you to specific allergens and decrease or eliminate your need for medications.
Immunotherapy may be especially effective if you're allergic to cat dander, dust mites or pollen produced by trees, grass and weeds. In children with allergic rhinitis, immunotherapy may help prevent the development of asthma. Rarely, immunotherapy injections can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Injectable epinephrine: First aid for severe allergic reactions
If you're highly allergic to certain foods, such as peanuts, or to bee or wasp venom, you may be at risk of anaphylactic shock — a sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction. To be on the safe side, your doctor may suggest that you carry an injectable dose of epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine can help slow the reaction while you seek emergency medical treatment. You may be able to administer the drug by yourself, after being taught how to use a self-injecting syringe and needle. A friend, family member or medical professional called in response to a severe anaphylactic reaction also may administer the medication.
Work with your doctor
By understanding how allergy medications work, you can work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that's best for you. Before taking any medication — prescription or over-the-counter — be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, if you have any chronic health problems such as diabetes, glaucoma or high blood pressure, or if you're taking any other medications. This will help you avoid a drug interaction or other adverse effect.
Keep track of your symptoms, when you use your medications, and how much you use — that way you and your doctor can figure out what works best. It may not be possible for you to avoid allergy symptoms altogether — but working with your doctor to find the right medications can help.
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