Talk to your doctor before using a first-generation antihistamine if you have any of the following health problems: Glaucoma. Trouble urinating (from an enlarged prostate gland) Breathing problems, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
Antihistamines have side effects that include altered mental state, urinary retention and dry mouth. While these side effects are generally mild and well tolerated in young patients without other medical problems, they can pose a risk, especially for the elderly.
Official answer. Yes, most people can take antihistamines every day, if they have daily symptoms of their allergies. The number of times you take an antihistamine each day depends on the type of antihistamine.
“The most common side effects you tend to see are fatigue, headaches, and dry mouth,” says Shih. If you're someone for whom the benefits of regular antihistamine use far outweighs the occasional minor side effect, longterm use is safe for most adults and children, he adds.
For many people with allergies, symptoms are the worst around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Taking an antihistamine at bedtime may help you or your child feel better in the morning during allergy season.
Allergists recommend long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines — ones that won't make you sleepy — for everyday use. Though you may know them by their brand names, the generic versions tackle the same problems: Cetirizine (Zyrtec®, Aller-Tec®, Wall-Zyr®). Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Aller-ease®, Aller-Fex®, Wal-Fex®).
Antihistamines may interact with:
Other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as sleeping medications, narcotic pain medications, sedatives, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and seizure medications.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or ...
No interactions were found between Claritin and multivitamin.
Cetirizine is the most potent antihistamine available and has been subjected to more clinical study than any other.
Summary. Natural antihistamines may help you control your seasonal allergies. Common ones are stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics. Some alternative practices—such as acupuncture, nasal irrigation, and exercise—may also help you manage symptoms.
Claritin and Zyrtec are effective and safe for most people with minor allergies. However, as with all medications, there may be some side effects. Loratadine—present in Claritin—may not be safe for people with severe liver conditions.
Claritin comes highly recommended by Dr. Fineman as an effective antihistamine. This medication comes in a wide variety of formats, including tablets, gel capsule pills, chewables and orally-disintegrating tablets (for those who have trouble swallowing pills).
Antihistamines, mainly used to treat symptoms of hay fever or other allergies, can induce drowsiness by working against a chemical produced by the central nervous system (histamine). These medications can be useful in certain situations, such as for treating sleeplessness related to travel.
Antihistamine tablets typically start to work within 30 minutes. They may reach their maximum effect in about two hours. Antihistamine nasal sprays work faster, but only affect your nose.
Cocoa, certain nuts, avocado, banana, shellfish, tomatoes, citrus fruits, legumes, and strawberries are other foods high in naturally-occurring histamines.
Greg Panico, a spokesman for Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson, said that the withdrawal was a voluntary business decision. “The decision to voluntarily discontinue it recognises that the allergy marketplace is crowded with a number of other drugs,” Mr Panico said.
Telfast contains fexofenadine hydrochloride, which is a non-drowsy antihistamine. Telfast 180 mg is used in adults and adolescents of 12 years and older to relieve the symptoms that occur with long term allergic skin reactions (chronic idiopathic urticaria) such as itching, swelling and rashes.
Bananas act as histamine liberators. In other words, they trigger the release of the body's existing histamine. Every person has unique dietary triggers. Your reaction to unripe banana may be different than someone else's.
Probably not. Honey has been anecdotally reported to lessen symptoms in people with seasonal allergies. But these results haven't been consistently duplicated in clinical studies.
Adults—5 to 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Children 6 years of age and older—5 to 10 mg once a day. Children 4 to 6 years of age—2.5 mg once a day, up to a maximum of 5 mg once a day or 2.5 mg twice a day. Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .
Cetirizine has the fastest onset of action among the newer antihistamines. Fexofenadine does not impair psychomotor or cognitive skills and shows no dose-related increase in sedation but has a slower onset of action than diphenhydramine and cetirizine.