If your allergies are severe enough to significantly interfere with your quality of life, it’s important to see a doctor who specializes in treating allergies in order to identify what you are allergic to and to gain access to the full range of prescription options. If your allergies are less severe or merely annoying, you may be able to find an effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatment. A pharmacist can help you choose the best option according to your symptoms.
Steroid Sprays
Nasal steroid or corticosteroid sprays work by reducing sneezing, inflammation, swelling, and mucus in nasal passageways. For people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever), nasal steroid sprays can “provide relief from one of the most bothersome allergy symptoms: nasal stuffiness or congestion,” says Clifford Bassett, MD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health in New York City who specializes in allergies. Nasal steroids are particularly helpful for severe or persistent symptoms, but they can take 7 to 10 days to start working. If you have seasonal allergies, your doctor may advise that you start using nasal steroids about a week or two before you expect symptoms to begin. They can be used daily for seasonal or year-round symptoms.
Rhinocort (budesonide)Omnaris, Zetonna (ciclesonide)Nasalide (flunisolide)Nasacort Allergy 24HR (triamcinolone)Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone)
Antihistamine Sprays
Astelin or Astepro (azelastine)Patanase (olopatadine)
There is also the combination nasal antihistamine and steroid spray Dymista (azelastine and fluticasone).
Decongestant Sprays
Saline Nasal Sprays
Here are some common allergy medicines.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine (a chemical in the body that can cause allergy symptoms).
Allegra (fexofenadine)Benadryl (diphenhydramine)Clarinex (desloratadine)Claritin (loratadine)Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Allergy (brompheniramine)Dayhist (clemastine)Zyrtec (cetirizine)
Common side effects of antihistamines include:
Drowsiness or tirednessDizzinessDry mouth or eyesIncreased appetite and weight gainUpset stomachThickening of mucus in the airwaysChanges in vision, such as blurrinessRapid heart rateLow blood pressureHeadacheCoughSore throat
Talk to your doctor about any symptoms or concerns you may have.
Decongestants
These medications offer quick, temporary relief of congestion by shrinking swollen nasal tissues and blood vessels. They are often prescribed along with antihistamines.
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) Afrin (oxymetazoline) — nasal spray or dropsAllegra-D — combination of fexofenadine and pseudoephedrineZyrtec-D — a combination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine Claritin-D — a combination of loratadine and pseudoephedrine
Mast Cell Stabilizers
These medications block the release of immune system chemicals (histamine, leukotrienes) that trigger allergic reactions of the eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) or nasal passageway. They are better at preventing than treating allergic symptoms, so they are given to people with seasonal allergies starting about two weeks before allergy season begins.
Alomide (lodoxamide) — eye dropsAlocril (nedocromil) — eye dropsNasalcrom (cromolyn) — nasal spray
Corticosteroids
Aerosol formulas
Qnasl (beclomethasone)Zetonna (ciclesonide)
Eyedrops
Flarex, FML (fluorometholone)Alrex, Lotemax (loteprednol)Omnipred, Pred Forte, others (prednisolone)
Oral corticosteroids (for more severe symptoms)
Prelone (prednisolone)Prednisone Intensol, Rayos (prednisone)Medrol (methylprednisolone)
Leukotriene Inhibitors
Leukotrienes are chemicals the body releases as a response to allergens. They can cause airway constriction, inflammation in the lungs, and increased mucus production.
Epinephrine
Anaphylactic reactions are commonly caused by:
FoodsInsect stings, including bee or wasp venomMedicationsLatex
Prescribed by your doctor, epinephrine comes as a single dose in an auto-injector (such as an EpiPen). Always call 911 or seek emergency medical care if you experience anaphylaxis, as a second injection is sometimes needed. “[It] slows the progression of allergies, reduces symptoms, and hopefully eliminates the allergy,” says Dr. Bassett. “In children, it may prevent or slow down the progression from allergies to asthma.” Immunotherapy can be administered as allergy shots, drops, or biologic medications.
Allergy Shots
Allergy shots involve injecting small amounts of allergen extracts into the body to stimulate the immune system without causing an allergic reaction. Your doctor may increase the allergen dose over time to help desensitize you to environmental allergies. The shots work like a vaccine, as your body develops immunity and tolerance to particular allergens after being exposed to them.
Allergy Drops
Allergy drops are also known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). In this form of immunotherapy, a small dose of an allergen is delivered in liquid or tablet form under the tongue to boost tolerance and immunity and reduce allergy symptoms. Several SLIT tablets are available by prescription, including ones that contain dust mites (Odactra), extracts from pollens of different types of grass (Grastek), or weeds such as ragweed (Ragwitek).
Biologic Medications
Biologic medications are another form of immunotherapy used for an ever-expanding list of allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema, sinus disease, and hives. Most are given as injections in order to target a specific reaction in the immune system and try to prevent it from occurring. Some of the most commonly used biologic medications on the market now include Dupixent (dupilumab) to treat allergic skin reactions and Xolair (omalizumab) to treat asthma or hives.
