Allergy Season
Many people treat spring allergies with a number of over-the-counter drugs. Over-the-counter allergy drugs are effective for many people and include the following:
Antihistamines reduce sneezing, sniffling, and itching by lowering the amount of histamine (the substance produced during allergic reaction) in the body.
Decongestants clear mucus out of the nasal passageways to relieve congestion and swelling.
Antihistamine / decongestants combine the effects of both drugs.
Nasal spray decongestants relieve congestion and may clear clogged nasal passages faster than oral decongestants.
Cromolyn sodium nasal spray can help prevent hay fever by stopping the release of histamine before it can trigger allergy symptoms.
Eye drops relieve itchy, watery eyes.
Even though you can buy these allergy drugs without a prescription, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you choose the right medication. This will ensure the over-the-counter drugs you are taking do not react with prescription medication. Don’t use over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants for more than a few days without consulting your doctor.
If over-the-counter remedies don’t help allergies, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication or allergy shots.
