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Medications Don't take any medication if you don't know what's wrong with you. Even over-the-counter medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness or jitters, and some should be used only for a few days at a time. Once you've been diagnosed with allergies, you have several options. For mild-to-moderate allergy symptoms, you can take over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines and decongestants that treat allergy symptoms. Other non-prescription medications, such as NasalCrom® (cromolyn sodium) Allergy Prevention Nasal Spray, not only relieve allergy symptoms but prevent them. NASALCROM has none of the side effects you may have endured with antihistamines or decongestants, because it works differently than other products. There are also many prescription medications your doctor may recommend. These include: An antihistamine counters the effects of histamine, a substance released by cells in the body’s tissues that contributes to allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are available over the counter and by prescription. For those with confirmed allergies, antihistamines have proven useful in relieving sneezing and itching in the nose, throat and eyes, and in reducing nasal swelling and drainage. For those who aren’t allergic, antihistamines won’t help these symptoms, and in some cases may make congestion worse. Antihistamines can also cause side effects such as drowsiness and loss of alertness and coordination. Non-sedating antihistamines, which decrease the drowsiness effect, are now available by prescription and are effective in preventing histamine-induced symptoms. Non-sedating antihistamines may have side effects when used in conjunction with other medications. You should always let your doctor or pharmacist know what medications you are taking. Decongestants Congestion (stuffy nose) is the No. 1 complaint of people with allergies and allergy-like symptoms. Sometimes helping nasal passages drain will relieve symptoms such as congestion, swelling, nasal stuffiness, pressure and pain in the sinuses. Your doctor may recommend oral or nasal decongestants, often with an antihistamine to control allergic symptoms. Over-the-counter and prescription decongestant nose drops and sprays should not be used for more than a few days. Longer use can lead to even more congestion and swelling of the nasal passages. Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart problems should avoid oral decongestants. Discuss these medications with your doctor or pharmacist. Topical nasal steroids Topical nasal steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that stop allergic reactions. These medications come in nose sprays and are available only by prescription. In addition to other benefits, they reduce mucous secretion, nasal swelling and inflammation, which means they may be helpful for people with allergies as well as those with allergy-like symptoms. You and your doctor can decide which course of medication treatment is best for you. But keep in mind that effective allergy treatment will include avoiding the allergen whenever possible. Successful allergen avoidance requires testing to find out just what you're allergic to. |
