Allergies are said to be the body’s reaction to substances, which might cause your immune system to react. Anything that comes into contact with your body as a harmful intruder can cause allergies. There are so many allergens like pollen, dust mites, molds, animal dander, latex, medications, insect bites, etc.
When you come across these allergens, your body starts to react, showing the symptoms like – rashes, itchiness, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery or red eyes, red patches, etc. Allergies can make your daily life chaotic unless it gets treated immediately.
Medication for Allergies:
Antihistamines, decongestants, or a combination of over-the-counter and prescribed medications, are used to treat your allergy symptoms. Antihistamines block the action of histamine, a natural chemical in your body that triggers allergy symptoms. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications available to treat allergic conditions. While some of them can make you sleepy or drowsy, many won’t have any such effect.
Why do Some Antihistamines make you Drowsy?
Traditional antihistamines or first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, doxylamine, brompheniramine, etc., can make you feel drowsy because they cross the blood-brain barrier (1), which regulates what substances pass into your brain. The side effects of these medications may include excessive drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and difficulty in urination.
What are Non-drowsy Allergy Medicines?
Non-drowsy allergy medicines or second-generation antihistamines help relieve allergic conditions by blocking the histamine’s effect without making you feel sleepy. The chemical compositions of these medications are less soluble in the lipids and so have less capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier (2), resulting in lesser drowsiness.
These second-generation antihistamines are more beneficial than first-generation antihistamines. These medicines’ effects last for a longer duration than the older ones. Further, they do not have side effects like dry mouth, constipation, or urinary retention.
Types of Non-drowsy Allergy Medicines:
Various allergy medications are available, which include oral tablets, syrups, nasal sprays, eye drops, etc. Some are available over the counter, but for a few specific ones, you need to have a doctor’s prescription. Hence, while taking these non-drowsy medicines, you must check the compositions, their possible side effects, and the expiry date.
The tablets can be taken orally with or without food. Liquids are basically given to children. While nasal sprays help relieve nasal congestion, eye drops relieve itchy and watery eyes. Some of the newer antihistamines are:
1. Fexofenadine:
Fexofenadine is a non-drowsy antihistamine available over the counter without a prescription. It is advised for allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria (3). It is available in tablets and gel form for adults and is available in liquid and dispersible tablet form for children.
You should discuss the use of fexofenadine with your health care provider on the side effects, recommended doses, and possible interactions with commonly ingested items.
2. Loratadine:
Another non-drowsy antihistamine, Loratadine, is available over the counter. It is used to treat itchy, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and hay fever. It is available in tablet, syrup, and dispersible tablet form. It is suitable for both adults and children over 12 years of age.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions like kidney or liver disease, you must consult with your doctor before using Loratadine.
3. Levocetirizine:
Levocetirizine is the pharmacologically active optical isomer of cetirizine. It is a potent histamine H-1 receptor antagonist with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties (4). Levocetirizine helps treat runny nose, itching, watery eyes, and scratchy throat.
It is available over the counter with or without a prescription in the form of tablets, liquids, and mouth dispersible tablets. It can be taken orally before bedtime. The effect of levocetirizine is long-lasting and persists throughout the following day.
If you are allergic to levocetirizine or have a kidney or liver disease, you must consult your doctor. Consult your doctor for the correct dose based on your medical condition.
4. Triamcinolone:
Triamcinolone is a non-drowsy OTC antihistamine that comes in the form of nasal sprays, topical ointments, and injections. Triamcinolone is effective in managing various conditions such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, bullous dermatitis, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, and seasonal or allergic rhinitis. It is a corticosteroid, specifically, a glucocorticoid drug (5).
If you are allergic to any medication orhave underlying medical condition like, tuberculosis, intraocular pressure, have glaucoma, then talk to your health care provider before using it. If you have recently taken a corticosteroid, then also you need to have a discussion with your doctor before using triamcinolone.
5. Fluticasone:
Fluticasone is a non-drowsy prescription-strength medication used to treat asthma, allergic rhinitis, emphysema, atopic dermatitis (6), itchy red eyes, sneezing, runny, or stuffy nose and is also used to treat nasal polyps.
Fluticasone comes in the form of topical ointments, nasal sprays, and oral inhalation powder. If you have any medical conditions such as tuberculosis, liver disease, or glaucoma, talk to your healthcare provider before using fluticasone.
6. Desloratadine:
Desloratadine is another over-the-counter non-drowsy antihistamine available in tablets. It helps relieve children and adults from seasonal allergies like hay fever (7). This medication is taken once daily.
If you have any medical conditions such as liver or kidney disease, are pregnant or are breastfeeding or any other health issue, or if you are allergic to desloratadine, you must consult with your doctor before taking desloratadine.
7. Cetirizine:
Cetirizine is a non-sedating antihistamine that is available over the counter without a prescription. It is generally used to treat symptoms of hay fever (allergy to pollen, dust, or other substances in the air, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and molds), sneezing, runny nose, itchy, red, watery eyes, and itchy nose (8) or throat, redness caused by hives.
Cetirizine comes in tablets, chewable tablets, extended-release, and liquid forms. It can be taken with or without food. This medicine can be taken once or twice daily by children and adults showing the above symptoms. You must talk to your doctor if you are allergic to cetirizine, have medical conditions like liver or kidney disease, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Best Natural Remedies for Allergies:
Besides these non-drowsy antihistamines, there are other more natural options that may be worth a try, and most are simple solutions. Most importantly, they are safe to try and do not cause side effects too. There is an array of natural remedies for allergies, many of which may help ease symptoms. Some of them are -
- Eat more fruits and veggies
- Filter the air inside your home
- Go for saline nasal irrigation
- Try acupuncture
- Take vitamins and supplements
- Be active
- Consume honey and probiotics
- Use essential oils
- Steam inhalation, etc.
Conclusion:
Non-drowsy OTC antihistamines are apparently safe to use. However, they may not be the same for everyone. Your allergy symptoms shouldn’t inhibit your quality of life. If they are, then the severity of your symptoms will decide when to see a doctor.
There are many options to treat allergy symptoms. You should talk to your health care provider about which medication will give you the most benefit and specifically, which is compatible with existing health conditions or medicines that you are already taking. Only your doctor can ensure the best guidance about which medications and treatments can provide you significant relief for your allergy symptoms.