Medications for Allergic Rhinitis

Antihistamines

• Desloratadine
• Levocetirizine dihydrochloride

Antihistamines block or lower the action of a certain chemical released by the immune system. Blocking it helps lessen allergy symptoms. These can be in a pill or nose spray.

Some problems are:

• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Vision problems
• Problems thinking clearly
• Dry mouth, nose, or throat
• Belly pain
• Nausea
• More hunger and weight gain
• Phlegm that feels thicker
• People with kidney disease may feel these more because the medicines are filtered from the body at a slower rate

Oral Decongestants and Antihistamine Combinations

• Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine
• Acrivastine and pseudoephedrine
• Azatadine and pseudoephedrine

Decongestants clear a stuffy nose by making blood vessels smaller. Antihistamines block or lower the action of a certain chemical released by the immune system.

Some problems are:

• Drowsiness
• Cough
• Rise in blood pressure
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Sleeping problems
• Nausea
• Rapid heart rate

Corticosteroid Nose Spray

• Beclomethasone
• Budesonide nasal
• Fluticasone
• Triamcinolone
• Mometasone
• Flunisolide

These are sprayed or breathed into the nose. They will ease a stuffy nose and other problems with allergies.

Some problems are:

• Burning, dryness, or other irritation inside the nose (mild, lasting only a short time)
• Increase in sneezing
• Irritation of the throat

Mast Cell Stabilizer for the Nose

• Cromolyn sodium

Cromolyn is preventative. It changes how the body responds to allergens. It's best to use this before you're exposed to an allergen or the start of allergy season.

Some problems are:

• Burning, stinging, or irritation inside of nose
• Flushing
• More sneezing

Leukotriene Inhibitor

• Montelukast

This can also prevent allergy symptoms. It works by lowering the numbers of a certain chemical that leads to inflammation.

Some problems are:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Nervousness
• Headache
• Bellyache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stuffy nose

The US Food and Drug Administration advises this medicine should have a label warning. This is because of a link between taking it and having thoughts of taking your own life. If you have any of these thoughts, call your doctor right away. Don't stop taking this on your own. Talk to your doctor first.

Antihistamines

Many of these are older and can cause drowsiness. But both loratadine and cetirizine are newer and don't cause this problem.

• Diphenhydramine
• Fexofenadine
• Loratadine, prescription strength
• Cetirizine hydrochloride
• Chlorpheniramine
• Brompheniramine
• Dexbrompheniramine and pseudoephedrine
• Clemastine
• Chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine

These don't cause drowsiness:

• Loratadine
• Cetirizine hydrochloride
• Fexofenadine

Antihistamines block or lower the action of a certain chemical released by the immune system. Blocking it helps lessen allergy symptoms.

Some problems are:

• Drowsiness in some types of these medicines
• Slowed reaction time
• Dry mouth

Oral Decongestants

• Products that have pseudoephedrine

Decongestants clear a stuffy nose by making blood vessels smaller.

Decongestants for the Nose

• Afrin
• Neosynephrine

Decongestants clear a stuffy nose by making blood vessels smaller.

Some problems are:

• Burning, stinging, or irritation inside of nose
• Flushing
• More sneezing
• More stuffiness if this is used form more than 3 days

Saline Nose Spray

Salinex is a spray with saltwater. This will rinse your nose and help ease mild stuffiness, loosen phlegm, and stop crusting. It only eases problems. It doesn't stop allergies from happening.