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It’s springtime! Depending on whether you experience seasonal allergies or not, that phrase may strike fear into your heart or inspire you instead. Thousands of Americans struggle with the frustrating symptoms of springtime allergies. Itchy, watery eyes, sniffling, a runny nose, a tickly throat, and even wheezing can all indicate that you may be experiencing allergies. But don’t confuse it with the common cold; springtime allergies will never result in green or yellow mucous, and it’s extremely rare for them to produce a fever, either.
Here’s the good news: while the common cold just isn’t curable, your springtime allergies certainly are. With the right medication, you can get back to going about your day without feeling sleepy or drowsy. In an effort to empower you in making informed decisions about your health, we’ve put together a list of the five most common over-the-counter drugs for springtime allergies.
Before we get started, a quick caveat: you should always check with your physician or pharmacist before starting any over-the-counter drug treatment for the first time. The information here is simply for educational purposes, and does not constitute medical advice.
Diphenhydramine
Brand Name(s): Benadryl, Children’s Benadryl, Sominex, Unisom, Nytol
Typical dose:
- Adults: 25 to 50 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours
- Children: Speak with your pharmacist first
When it comes to allergy drugs, diphenhydramine is the “grandfather” of all allergy drugs. It’s also one of the fastest-acting and most effective antihistamines for hives. Unfortunately, because it’s an older-generation drug, taking it does come with some potential unwanted side effects. Intense sleepiness is fairly normal, as is a dry mouth–be prepared to take a nap and drink plenty of water when you take it.
Diphenhydramine comes in a variety of forms, and is often packaged as a sleep aid due to the intense sleepiness patients experience after taking it. Preparation-wise, most formulas like Unisom and Sominex contain exactly the same drug, often in a slightly higher dose. You can use either interchangeably provided that you check the ingredients list and it only contains diphenhydramine and non-medicinal fillers; just be sure to take the appropriate dose. If you aren’t sure, check with your pharmacist.
Diphenhydramine is remarkably safe and effective for patients of almost all ages and health statuses. It’s often the first line of defense against springtime allergies in very young children by pediatricians, especially when parents aren’t sure what the nature of the true allergy really is. That said, patients who struggle with liver, kidney, heart, or neurological disease (including mental illness) should check with their doctor prior to using diphenhydramine, as these conditions can result in unwanted side effects.
Loratadine
Brand Names: Claritin, Dimetapp-AD, QlearQuil All Day & Night, Clear-Atadine
Typical Dose:
- Adults: 10 mg orally once a day
- Children: Speak with your pharmacist first
Loratadine is nearly as old as diphenhydramine but offers a significant improvement in the fact that it doesn’t usually cause the same intense sleepiness. Like diphenhydramine, it’s an antihistamine that reduces the allergic response in the body. It has the potential to reduce a wide variety of unpleasant symptoms from springtime allergies, including itchy, watery eyes, itching around the nose and mouth, hives, diffuse itching throughout the body, a runny nose, and mild upper respiratory wheezes.
Loratadine comes in many formulas, some of which may or may not contain other drugs. For example, Claritin Reditabs may also contain phenylalanine, an amino acid that may help to reduce symptoms of the common cold. Ironically, phenylalanine can also cause allergic reactions and itching for some patients. Because so many mixed formulas exist, it’s wise to double-check the label for this drug, too, and speak with us if you have questions about whether you have the right preparation.
Unlike diphenhydramine, loratidine is not appropriate for a certain population of patients. It should not be given to children under two or seniors who may have cognitive, liver, or kidney dysfunction. In this case, you should avoid the drug until you speak with a medical professional. They may recommend a different drug or a dose change instead. For the general population, loratadine is very safe. The most common side effects are headaches and feelings of nervousness, which usually pass within 12 to 24 hours.
Cetirizine
Brand Names: Zyrtec
Typical Dose:
- Adults: 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once a day
- Children: Speak with your pharmacist first
Zyrtec is what’s known as a second-generation antihistamine. Like the previous drugs, it, too, works to reduce symptoms of springtime allergies by suppressing histamines. It is specifically classed for children at least two years of age and older, though some pediatricians do use it to control hives and other allergy symptoms in infants over six months old. As an antihistamine, it is most effective at alleviating itching, watery eyes, a runny nose, and stuffy or congested sinuses.
Unlike loratadine, Zyrtec may cause drowsiness–it’s best taken at night and used by some physicians to control anxiety. It may also make elderly or cognitively compromised patients (e.g. someone with a mental illness) delusional. Whether or not Zyrtec makes you sleepy seems to depend on your individual body chemistry. If you choose to take this drug, you shouldn’t plan to operate machinery or drive a car until you’re sure of how it affects you.
Note that some cold preparations contain a combination of cetirizine with pseudoephedrine. These formulas may also contain acetaminophen, too. Be extremely cautious when taking these products. Check the label well before you take them and cross-reference the ingredients with any other over-the-counter products you may be taking. It is possible to inadvertently cause harm by taking two over-the-counter medications that contain the same base ingredients.
One of the main benefits of Zyrtec is that taking it is easy; one preparation comes in a the form of a small pill, while another comes in a small chewable tablet instead. This is ideal for patients who have difficulty swallowing or who have an aversion to pills. Any parent who’s attempted to convince a 10-year-old to swallow an allergy pill likely knows this struggle. Either way, the chewable formula is just as effective with less effort.
Fexofenadine
Brand Names: Allegra
Typical Dose:
- Adults: 60 mg orally twice a day or 180 mg once daily
- Children: Speak with your pharmacist first
Allegra was originally created by researchers in an effort to alleviate certain side effects and extend the time the drug remained effective in the body. As an antihistamine, it is remarkably effective at reducing itchy, watery eyes, hives, congestion, and allergy-related wheezing for many patients with relatively little to no drowsiness. This makes it especially well-suited to patients who need to work or be alert throughout the day. Fexofenadine lasts for a full 24-hours when taken in a once-a-day format, making it easier to stick with for patients who struggle with remembering to take pills.
Most preparations containing fexofenadine contain only the drug itself, but some cold preparations may contain pseudoephedrine or other drugs. Like the others, it’s important to check the label so you understand what you’re taking. Be cautious if you take fexofenadine at the same time as erythromycin or ketoconazole; doing so can spur on rare side effects ranging from bothersome to dangerous. If you are currently on these antibiotics, speak with your physician or pharmacist before taking this drug.
Some patients shouldn’t take fexofenadine; this includes breastfeeding mothers and people with kidney or liver disease. You should also avoid drinking grapefruit juice and orange juice as both interact with certain enzymes in the body that may reduce the drug’s effectiveness. Most importantly, you should always take this drug with plenty of water; 8 ounces with every dose is ideal. Its most common side effect is dry mouth. While the symptom may seem harmless, chronic dry mouth can lead to oral infections.
Springtime allergies–they’re the bane of nearly every allergy sufferer’s existence. If you’re ready to throw up your hands and lock yourself inside until the season passes, take heart; drugs like the ones listed above can significantly improve your ability to enjoy life, pollen and hay fever or not. There is hope! For questions about these or any other allergy treatment, call your local pharmacy.