They prevent and treat nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose due to seasonal or year-round allergies. Steroids, known medically as corticosteroids, can reduce inflammation associated with allergies. Other side effects include headaches, stuffy nose, upset stomach, and sore throat. They may cause a very dry nose, leading to nosebleeds or irritation. What Are the Side Effects of Anticholinergic Nasal Sprays? When sprayed into each nostril, it lessens mucus from the glands lining the nasal passages. The drug ipratropium bromide ( Atrovent) can reduce runny nose. Prescription: acrivastine and pseudoephedrine ( Semprex-D) for nasal allergies azelastine/ fluticasone (Dymista) combines a steroid in a nasal spray for seasonal nasal allergies.Over-the-counter: cetirizine and pseudoephedrine ( Zyrtec-D), fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine ( Allegra-D), diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine ( Benadryl Allergy and Sinus), loratadine and pseudoephedrine ( Claritin-D), and pseudoephedrine/triprolidine ( Actifed) for nasal allergies and naphazoline/pheniramine ( Naphcon A) for allergic conjunctivitis.Other drugs have multiple effects aside from just blocking the effects of histamine, such as preventing mast cells from releasing other allergy-inducing chemicals.Įxamples of Combination Allergy Medicines : Some allergy drugs contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant to relieve multiple allergy symptoms. They may also cause insomnia or irritability and restrict urinary flow. What Are the Side Effects of Decongestants?ĭecongestants may raise blood pressure, so they typically are not recommended for people who have blood pressure problems or glaucoma. Decongestants work by shrinking swollen nasal tissues and blood vessels, relieving the symptoms of nasal swelling, congestion, mucus secretion, and redness. Blood vessels in the eyes can also swell, causing redness. Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and oxymetazoline ( Afrin) nasal spraysĭuring an allergic reaction, tissues in your nose may swell in response to contact with the allergen.Pseudoephedrine ( Sudafed tablets or liquid).

Pills and liquid decongestants can be taken longer safely. Nasal spray and eye drop decongestants should be used for only a few days at a time because long-term use can make symptoms worse. They can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, liquids, and pills. Other side effects of antihistamines may include:ĭecongestants relieve congestion and are often prescribed along with antihistamines for allergies. Because some antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don't feel drowsy, they may affect your ability to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. Newer antihistamines that don’t make you drowsy are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Many older over-the-counter antihistamines cause drowsiness. What Are the Side Effects of Antihistamines? By blocking histamine and keeping it from binding to receptors, antihistamines prevent these symptoms. Histamine also binds to other receptors causing redness, swelling, itching, and changes in secretions. Immune system cells known as mast cells release a substance called histamine, which attaches to receptors in blood vessels, causing them to enlarge. People with allergies have an exaggerated immune response. When you are exposed to an allergen - for example, ragweed pollen - it triggers your immune system. Eye drops include azelastine ophthalmic ( Optivar), epinastine ophthalmic ( Elestat), and olopatadine ophthalmic ( Patanol). Azelastine nasal ( Astelin) is a nasal spray. Prescription: Desloratadine ( Clarinex) is a medication taken by mouth.Ketotifen ( Zaditor) and naphazoline and pheniramine combination ophthalmic ( OcuHist) are eye drops. Brompheniramine ( Dimetapp allergy, Nasahist B), chlorpheniramine ( Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine ( Tavist), and diphenhydramine ( Benadryl) can make you drowsy. Over-the-counter: Cetirizine ( Zyrtec), fexofenadine ( Allegra), levocetirizine ( Xyzal), and loratadine ( Alavert, Claritin) are taken by mouth.Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine eye drops can relieve red itchy eyes, while nasal sprays can be used to treat the symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies. They can be taken as pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or eye drops. Antihistamines have been used for years to treat allergy symptoms.

Take as needed allergy