So Uh Is It Bad If Ive Been Taking My Allergy Meds For 10 Years Straight
Pollen season is in full swing, and I have been sneezing for three weeks straight. My eyes have been itchy for at least two months. When I look back on the last 20 years of my life, I am hard-pressed to think of any substantial period of time in which I was not suffering from one allergy or another. Sure, its worst in spring, but then theres grass to contend with, and later, ragweed, and dust all throughout. The only reprieve comes in the dead of winter, when I might have a cold instead. The other morning, as I thoughtlessly swallowed a Walmart-brand antihistamine from one of several bottles I keep on hand, it occurred to me that Ive been taking some form of allergy medication nearly every day for as long as I can remember. Is that bad?
According to David Shih, EVP of strategy and former chief medical officer at CityMD, I am probably fine. Because antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec are now available over the counter, we can trust that theyre generally safe for longterm use, says Shih. This is for a couple of reasons. For one, unlike what Shih calls first generation allergy medications, like Benadryl, new generation products like Claritin have fewer of the more potentially severe side effects, like sedation. Newer allergy medications are also more effective at targeting the respiratory system, thus leaving the central nervous system and brain alone for the most part.
Who Might Consider Taking Benadryl For Sleep And How Often
Overall, using Benadryl as a sleep aid really isnt something sleep medicine experts recommend. But if youre an otherwise healthy person, you cant sleep one random time, and you happen to have Benadryl handy, Dr. Katznelson says taking the recommended dose should be fine. Still, he emphasizes, it should not be used on a routine basis and rarely, if at all.
Clear guidelines are lacking, notes Dr. Katznelson. But in my opinion, the ideal candidate for rare use of Benadryl for insomnia would be under the age of 50 with no other medical comorbidities or problems, such as pulmonary troubles or glaucoma. (FWIW, Benadryl is also known to aggravate prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate gland enlargement.
I really dont recommend using these types of drug more than a couple of times per month, adds Dr. Winter. There are better solutions to having trouble sleeping. I mean why not just read a book? The fear of not sleeping in the moment is really the problem for most.
Taking Allergy Medicine Every Day Will Do This To Your Body
Allergies, whether seasonal or food-related, are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, affecting over 50,000,000 people yearly .
Many rely on antihistamines to control the sneezing and sniffling caused by allergies, but is it safe to take these medications daily? Experts say that taking daily allergy medications in the recommended doses is usually safe if other medicines you take are reviewed for potential adverse interactions .
Understanding the difference between first-generation and second-generation allergy medications is also important. First-generation medications include Benadryl and Unisom. Because these medications cross the blood-brain barrier, they have more unwanted side effects, such as severe drowsiness. On the other hand, second-generation medications such as Allegra, Claritin, or Zyrtec are newer, less sedating, and have fewer adverse side effects because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier. As a result, second-generation allergy medications are thought to be safer if taken daily.
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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Otc Allergy Medications May Not Be Best Treatment Option
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Are over-the-counter allergy medications safe to take year-round? Ive been taking them for a couple of years, and they seem to help. Are there any other allergy treatments I should think about using instead?
ANSWER: Allergy medications that you can buy without a prescription are considered relatively safe and can be taken on a long-term basis. These medications may not be the best treatment option, however, if your allergy symptoms are severe or if symptoms persist despite medication. In those situations, consult a physician who is a board-certified allergist. He or she can assess your condition and may be able to recommend a more effective allergy treatment.
There are three main ways to manage allergies: Take medications, receive immunotherapy and make changes to your environment to lessen your exposure to substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Many people try over-the-counter allergy medications first. While a number of these medications exist, the most common contain an antihistamine agent. This blocks histamine a key molecule in allergic inflammation from binding to its receptor on the cells.
If you choose a nonprescription antihistamine, make sure you know what ingredients are included in the medication. Those that contain diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine are older-generation, short-acting drugs that often cause drowsiness. Other side effects of these medications may include dry mouth, blurring of vision, nausea or headaches.
Is It Safe To Give A Child Benadryl Every Night For Allergies
Its OK to give kids of the appropriate age Benadryl to ease their allergy symptoms, but you should aim to keep its use temporary. Benadryl is intended to mainly be used for short-term relief of allergy symptoms and it is not recommended to use it as a long-term allergy medication, says Dr. Redlich.
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Say Goodbye To Springtime Allergies
Topics in this Post
Spring is in the air. Warmer temperatures mean that trees bud, flowers bloom, grass grows and animals get more active. People do, too. But for some, spring means handfuls of tissues and a heavy dose of misery in the form of sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy noses.
Side Effects Of Antihistamines
Ask your provider if antihistamines are safe for you or your child, what side effects to watch for, and how antihistamines may affect other medicines you or your child take.
- Antihistamines are thought to be safe for adults.
- Most antihistamines are also safe for children over 2 years old.
- If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, ask your provider if antihistamines are safe for you.
- Adults who take antihistamines should know how the medicine affects them before driving or using machinery.
- If your child is taking antihistamines, make sure the medicine is not affecting your childâs ability to learn.
There may be special precautions for using antihistamines if you have:
Allergic rhinitis â antihistamine Hives â antihistamine Allergic conjunctivitis â antihistamine Urticaria â antihistamine Dermatitis â antihistamine Eczema â antihistamine
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What Is The Advantage Of Taking Allergy Medications Early
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While some medicationslike antihistamines-are fast-acting, others, like nasal steroid sprays, take longer to work.
“If you start on that treatment about a week or so before allergies hit, you have a much better allergy season than if you have symptoms and you’re forever trying to catch up,” Dr. Tami explains.
Learn more about allergies and how to manage symptoms in our Health Library:
Watch Out For Overheating If You Take These Allergy Medications
It would be best if you exercise caution in the summer heat or during periods of exertion when sweating helps to cool your body. Some allergy medications reduce this effect and may cause overheating.
According to experts at SingleCare, first-generation allergy medications, specifically anticholinergics like Benadryl, dry out the nose, reduce sneezing and itchy eyes, and decrease the body’s ability to produce sweat. This can be a severe side effect during the summer heat, or when exerting yourself to the point where sweat is required to cool the body. In the worst-case scenario, it may become difficult for your body to regulate its internal temperature, resulting in overheating or heat stroke.
In addition, decongestants like pseudoephedrine reduce blood flow to the skin. They can cause an increase in muscle activity, which produces more heat and raises your internal body temperature. In hot weather or when engaging in any activity that requires your body to sweat for cooling, you should exercise caution . Because these medications can affect your body’s ability to regulate heat, consult your doctor for advice on which drugs to take when heat is an issue.
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Is Benadryl Safe For Long Term Use In Dogs
Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine that helps relieve the symptoms of allergies in both humans and animals. It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness if a dog needs to be transported long distances. For most dogs, the appropriate dosage of Benadryl is perfectly safe.
Which Type Is Best
There’s not much evidence to suggest any particular antihistamine is better than any other at relieving allergy symptoms.
Some people find certain types work well for them and others do not. You may need to try several types to find one that works for you.
Non-drowsy antihistamines are generally the best option, as they’re less likely to make you feel sleepy. But types that make you feel sleepy may be better if your symptoms stop you sleeping.
Ask a pharmacist for advice if you’re unsure which medicine to try as not all antihistamines are suitable for everyone.
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Prescription Flonase Is Stronger So I’ll Use It Instead
You are mistaken. Over-the-counter Flonase Allergy Relief is exactly the same as prescription Flonase — its the same medicine, fluticasone propionate, at the same strength and dose. The brand product Flonase is now discontinued, but generics and store brands are available.
OTC Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief is the same strength and medicine as prescription Veramyst, which is now also discontinued.
- With OTC approvals, the amount of money you pay for your medicine may differ from a prescription product.
- Since Flonase is now available over-the-counter , insurance plans may not pay for the prescription brand name product, and your costs could be significantly higher than the OTC Flonase. However, if you have a health savings account , you can probably use funds from that to pay for OTC medicines. This changed in 2020 with the CARES Act.
- Your insurance might pay for the prescription generic fluticasone propionate , but you may need a visit to the doc and a prescription. You might be able to pay even less for the generic prescription product than the OTC, ask your pharmacist about this.
Also, ask your pharmacist to do a cost comparison for you. Online coupons or a discount card may be helpful for prescription products, and may be cheaper than your insurance copay.
Who Can Take Antihistamines
Most people can safely take antihistamines.
But speak to a pharmacist or GP for advice if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have an underlying health condition, such as heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease or epilepsy
Some antihistamines may not be suitable in these cases. A pharmacist or doctor can recommend one that’s best for you.
Loratadine is usually recommended if you need to take an antihistamine in pregnancy. Loratadine or cetirizine are usually OK to take while breastfeeding.
Always check the leaflet that comes with your medicine to see if it’s safe for you before taking it or giving it to your child.
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When To Start And Stop Allergy Medications
Most of us start to sneeze or feel our eyes getting itchy before we begin a daily dose of allergy medicine. But some health care providers suggest that the better method is to begin allergy medications before the symptoms strike. By pretreating for pollen, you may be able to better control your allergies. This keeps you from needing stronger medicine or developing bigger problems like allergic sinusitis.
Because pollen seasons are relatively predictable here in the United States, this proactive approach isnt that hard to do. You can discover pollen levels in your area by visiting pollen.com and entering your zip code. Once you know when pollen season starts for you, you can begin taking your medication a few weeks in advance. This prevents your body from releasing histamine in response to exposure to any allergens in the air and prevents the inflammation that leads to most of your allergy symptoms. Likewise, as the pollen counts decline, you can decide when it is time to decrease or stop taking your allergy medicines.
Finally, if it feels like your allergy medications are no longer helping, this could be due to changes in the environment, new allergies, or even age and stress. If you are sure you are taking the medicine correctly and arent getting relief, it may be time to contact an allergy specialist.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Benadryl
You should not use diphenhydramine if you are allergic to it.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:
- an enlarged prostate or urination problems
- asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or other breathing disorder
- a thyroid disorder.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Diphenhydramine may slow breast milk production.
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How To Take Antihistamines
Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines:
- Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control
- Only when you have symptoms
- Before being exposed to things that often cause your allergy symptoms, such as a pet or certain plants
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.
Which Common Drugs Dont Mix Well With Allergy Medicines
Wozniak: For the antihistamines, its the medications that have similar side effects or are also very sedating. These include:
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Tranquilizers and other sedatives
Medications for overactive bladder also dont mix well. If youre taking Benadryl® on top of your OAB medicine, it could cause too much urine retention and may lead to urinary tract infections.
People who take medication for high blood pressure need to avoid Sudafed® because it can reduce the effectiveness of those blood pressure medications. And it can raise blood pressure on its own. There can also be severe drug interactions with older antidepressants called MAOIs .
But its just 1 reason why its important to tell your provider and pharmacist about everything youre on, whether its prescription, over-the-counter or herbal. Because they will check for those rare interactions.
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Is It Safer To Skip Allergy Medication Altogether When I’m Pregnant
If your symptoms aren’t bad, your doctor may suggest other treatments instead. You could allergy-proof your home or rely on saline nasal sprays.
But if allergy symptoms are a big problem — making it hard to sleep, for instance — taking medication may be better for your health and your baby’s.
If you have allergic asthma, you need to take the medication as prescribed. Uncontrolled asthma can cause serious problems during pregnancy.
Are Antihistamines Bad For Your Heart
In general, antihistamines are safe in patients with high blood pressure and other forms of heart disease, explains Richard Krasuski, MD, director of adult congenital heart disease services at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, but an antihistamine may elevate blood pressure or increase heart rate, according to the U.S. Apr 1, 2015.
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Fda Warns About Serious Problems With High Doses Of The Allergy Medicine Diphenhydramine
Teen misuse sparked by dangerous Benadryl Challenge promoted on social media
09-24-2020 FDA Drug Safety Communication
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter allergy medicine diphenhydramine can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the Benadryl Challenge encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok.
We are investigating these reports and conducting a review to determine if additional cases have been reported. We will update the public once we have completed our review or have more information to share. We also contacted TikTok and strongly urged them to remove the videos from their platform and to be vigilant to remove additional videos that may be posted.
Consumers, parents, and caregivers should store diphenhydramine and all other OTC and prescription medicines up and away and out of childrens reach and sight. FDA recommends you lock up medicines to prevent accidental poisonings by children and misuse by teens, especially when they are home more often due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may be more likely to experiment.
Health care professionals, patients, and consumers can sign up for email alerts about Drug Safety Communications on medicines or medical specialties of interest to you.
Related Information
Are Allergy Medications Safe If You Have High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure , consult your doctor about the most effective ways to treat your allergy symptoms. Although most allergy medications are safe to take with blood pressure medications, the experts at Aspire Allergy and Sinus state that some can interact with some blood pressure medications. In addition, if you have a history of hypertension, you should avoid allergy medications known to raise blood pressure. Some medicines can raise your blood pressure even if you do not have hypertension. Taking Allegra with Coreg, for example, can increase Allegra’s side effects. Similarly, combining Xyzal and Zyrtec with Aldomet may result in increased drowsiness. While these are not always serious, discussing these medication combinations with your doctor if you are taking them is essential.
WellRX recommends avoiding allergy medications that contain . These medications are intended to constrict blood flow in the nasal cavity, opening the airway and improving breathing. Furthermore, they increase norepinephrine production in the body, increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
People prone to high blood pressure should take antihistamines that do not contain a decongestant. Most nasal sprays, such as saline and steroid sprays, are safe for blood pressure if you are congested and need relief. For the best treatment options for your condition, speak with your doctor.
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