Can You Take Different Types Of Allergy Medication At The Same Time
As a general rule, you can safely combine allergy medications that are in different classes. For instance, oral antihistamines and decongestants are often combined into a single tablet for convenience, as seen with Claritin-D and Allegra-D . You can also use an oral antihistamine with an eye drop like Zaditor if the tablet isnt helping your eye symptoms enough.
Another good tip is to take an oral antihistamine while first starting a nasal steroid spray since the latter takes some time to start working. This tactic would be especially helpful if you didnt start your daily regimen before allergy season began and need immediate symptom relief. After using this combination for about 2 weeks, you can try to stop the antihistamine and see if the nasal steroid is working well enough on its own.
One combination you should never take without a providers instruction is two oral antihistamines. Taking more than one antihistamine at the same time can lead to serious side effects, including seizures, heart rhythm problems, and, in some cases, death.
If youre considering adding a second allergy medication, its best to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first. They can make sure the medications youre taking wont interact with each other.
Avoid Foods That Can Cause A Reaction
People with seasonal allergies often have antibodies that can cause their immune system to overreact to certain foods. This phenomenon is called cross-reactivity. For instance, if youre allergic to ragweed, you may experience allergy symptoms like itching on your lips, tongue, and mouth if you eat bananas, melons, cucumber, or zucchini, Dykewicz says. If youre allergic to birch tree pollen, you may have allergy symptoms after eating apples, pears, peaches, hazelnuts, kiwi, carrots, or celery. These problems may only occur during the season in which your allergies are at their worst.
Regardless of the season, help minimize your allergy symptoms by keeping all these triggers in mind and avoiding them as much as possible.
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What Other Treatments Can I Try For Allergies
If you are concerned about side effects or drug interactions, there are alternative treatments.
Allergy sprays can be an effective treatment option. Nasal corticosteroids are safe for daily use, and dont cause the same systemic side effects or interactions that daily pills can.
Certain supplements may alleviate symptoms. Research suggests quercetin, a bioflavonoid derived from plant sources, helps block histamine production and release. works best when started two to three weeks prior to allergy season. Continue to take it throughout the season, says , a holistic health practitioner and naturologist. Vitamin C, bromelain, butterbur, and apple cider vinegar may also help to boost your immune system so it can better respond to allergens.
Lifestyle changes, such as reducing your exposure to allergy triggers or using a HEPA air filter, can help reduce your chance of experiencing symptoms during peak allergy season.
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What Are The Riskiest Allergy Medications For Older Adults
Wozniak: Be wary of medications such as Benadryl® and Chlor-Trimeton® . These are first-generation antihistamines available over the counter. Theyre especially risky for older adults because they have a group of side effects known as anticholinergic effects. The symptoms can include:
- Urinary retention
They can also be very sedating. These medications have the potential to cause a lot of drowsiness, which can lead to confusion for some older adults.
Men with an enlarged prostate shouldnt take Benadryl® because of the urinary side effects. People who have glaucoma or are at higher risk for it should also likely steer clear, because of the potential for blurred vision and dry eyes.
Put The Humidifier Away
If youre allergic to dust mites, using a humidifier may make your allergy symptoms worse, especially if you use one in your bedroom. Humidity promotes the growth of dust mites, Dykewicz explains. The best thing for treating allergies from dust mites is dry air. So if you suspect a dust mite allergy, stop using your humidifier and see if your symptoms improve.
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What Is The Advantage Of Taking Allergy Medications Early
Make an Appointment:
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:
Can I Use Nasal Sprays And Oral Medications At The Same Time For My Allergies
Yes. Sometimes using only one type of medication will not provide enough control over allergy symptoms. Nasal sprays provide a local effect and so work to relieve the nasal symptoms of allergies. If you also have other symptoms , an oral medication may help relieve them. So, the combination of a nasal spray with an oral medication may help control most or all allergy symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
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Common Questions About Cetirizine
Cetirizine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. When you come into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as pollen, animal hair or fur, your body produces a chemical called histamine.
Usually histamine is a useful substance, but in an allergic reaction it causes unpleasant symptoms including itchy, watery eyes, a running or blocked nose, sneezing and skin rashes.
Cetirizine blocks the effects of histamine and reduces these symptoms.
You should start to feel better within an hour.
It depends on why you’re taking cetirizine.
You may only need to take it for a short time or as a one-off dose.
For example, if you have a reaction to an insect bite, you may only need to take cetirizine for a day or two.
You may need to take cetirizine for longer if you’re taking it to prevent symptoms for example, to stop hay fever when the pollen count is high.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure how long you need to take cetirizine for.
Cetirizine is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time.
However it’s best to take cetirizine only for as long as you need to. If you take it regularly over a long period there’s a very small chance of severe itching if you stop treatment suddenly.
If you’ve been taking cetirizine every day for a long time, talk to your doctor before stopping it.
It’s best not to drink alcohol while you’re taking cetirizine as it can make you feel sleepy.
You can eat and drink normally while taking cetirizine.
Use Caution When Taking Allergy Medications If You Are Diabetic
If you have diabetes, your body may be more sensitive to medications and how they are processed. You must consult your doctor about OTC allergy medications and the effect they may have on your blood sugar levels. According to Diabetes Self-Management, most antihistamines do not affect blood sugar levels. However, it would help if you exercise caution when taking antihistamines that cause drowsiness. They may make it challenging to recognize if your blood sugar is rising or you are developing hypoglycemia.
According to a research study published in the World Journal of Diabetes, allergy medications containing corticosteroids also raise blood sugar levels in diabetics and non-diabetics alike. If you have diabetes, you must closely monitor your blood sugar levels if oral corticosteroids are prescribed for allergy relief. Furthermore, according to the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, intranasal corticosteroids are the best choice for people with diabetes because they have little to no effect on blood sugar variations, even when used for an extended period.
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Safety And Dosage Guidelines For Daily Use Of Antihistamines
Drug name
- Increased heart rate
Second-generation antihistamines can cause side effects similar to those of first-generation antihistamines. However, second-generation antihistamines are less likely to cause drying or sedating side effects than first-generation antihistamines.
Rarely, first- and second-generation antihistamines can cause acute liver problems.
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What About Other Types Of Antihistamines Do They Have Side Effects And Are Older Adults More Susceptible
Wozniak: All drugs can carry side effects. Unfortunately, older adults can be more susceptible to them because of some of the natural changes that happen in the body with aging and how medications break down. Their liver and kidneys cant flush out medications as well, so they stay in the system longer. They might weigh less and need lower doses.
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What Are The Risks Of Decongestants For People With Other Types Of Conditions
Wozniak: Sudafed® can affect your heart rate. Thats why its not recommended for people with heart disease or abnormal heart rhythm. People with overactive thyroid should also avoid it, because this condition can make your heart beat faster.
Similarly, you might also want to avoid Sudafed® if you have glaucoma or diabetes. And because it can cause urinary retention like those older antihistamines, men with an enlarged prostate should also stay away from this medication.
Reason #: Botched Diagnosis
Getting a correct diagnosis also plays a big role in keeping allergy symptoms at bay.
Patients often try to self-diagnose when it comes to things like allergies and sinus headaches, but they donât always get it right. Maybe youâre sure itâs an allergy, and itâs not. Or maybe you think youâve got a sinus infection, but you really have an allergy.
If your diagnosis is wrong, your treatment may be all wrong. For instance, if you actually have a tension headache, using an antihistamine wonât improve the situation, says Corinna Bowser, MD, an allergist in Narberth, Pa.
The fix: If you have allergic symptoms or suspect you have an allergy, consult a doctor to find out if it really is an allergy.
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What Form Does This Medication Come In
Tablets
5 mgEach white , film-coated, scored, ovoid tablet contains 5 mg of cetirizine HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, and titanium dioxide.
10 mgEach white , film-coated, scored, ovoid tablet contains 10 mg of cetirizine HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, and titanium dioxide.
20 mgEach white , film-coated, scored, ovoid tablet contains 20 mg of cetirizine HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, and titanium dioxide.
Capsules
Each clear, oval, liquid-filled, soft gelatin capsule contains 10 mg of cetirizine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: gelatin, glycerin, lecithin, mannitol, medium chain triglycerides, pharmaceutical ink, polyethylene glycol 400, purified water, sodium hydroxide, sorbitan, and sorbitol.
Syrup
Each 5 mL of colourless, banana-grape flavoured preparation contains 5 mg of cetirizine HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, artificial grape flavour, artificial banana flavour, glycerin, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium acetate, and sugar syrup .
Reactine Fast Melt Junior
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Avoid Opening Windows Once Spring Hits
It can be hard to resist the allure of a warm spring breeze once the temperature rises, but opening your windows when seasonal allergies are at their peak is like giving pollen an open invitation to invade your living space and cause allergy symptoms. Keeping your windows closed and using an air conditioner with an allergy filter can be an effective way of treating allergies and may help you breathe better, says Dykewicz.
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What Is An Antihistamine
To understand antihistamines, its good to first know what histamine is. This important chemical plays a part in regulating many of your bodys physiologic functions. Its also involved in local immune responses.
Histamine is stored in immune cells called mast cells, Dr. Aronica explains. When your body encounters something youre allergic to , these mast cells are triggered to release their contents, which then cause allergy symptoms.
Histamine is the main chemical responsible for the itching associated with allergies. It can also cause your blood vessels to be more permeable , which causes stuffiness. Antihistamines, then, are medications that block some of the effects of histamine.
Allergists recommend long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines ones that wont make you sleepy for everyday use. Though you may know them by their brand names, the generic versions tackle the same problems:
Diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl®, is also an antihistamine, but it isnt recommended for everyday allergies. Its short-acting and very sedating, which can impact your day-to-day work and your ability to operate machinery .
Find Out More About Your Medicine
The leaflet that comes in the packet with your medicine will have detailed information about it, including how to take it and what side effects you might get.
If you no longer have the leaflet that came with your medicine, you can search for an online version of it using our medicines guide.
You may also find information on individual antihistamines on these websites:
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Taking Allergy Medication Daily Risks
So⦠quick story: Ever since I can remember I would always get sick around summer and winter. I would get runny noses and swollen uvula and cough. Doctors always prescribed me medicine etc.. and nothing would work but eventually they would go away and I would be miserable every time I swallowed my spitâ¦
Fastforward about 15 years.. This summer I was having such a difficult time with this âcoldâ runny nose nonstop cough⦠I went to the doc and I found outI just have allergies⦠And the swollen uvula is just a side effect of coughing in my sleep. Yay⦠I suffered through misery for nothingâ¦. All that nyquil/dayquil cough drops etc I took⦠Never worked and I always wondered.
Okay now the question: Iâve been taking Allegra-D and Fluticasone Propionate daily. I live in socal. I cant seem to get off my medicine. Iâve tried multiple times to stop taking my meds but Iâm not sure if its the weather or my body reacting to the meds being cut.
Iâm worried that there could be some long term effects from taking the meds every day forâ¦ever lets say. I asked my doc and he said it was okay to be taking these meds everyday since they were designed for it but now I dont know if I can get off them again or if they will be just be part of a daily routine. Any suggestions?
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When You Take Allergy Medicine Every Day This Is What Happens
Spring is a great time of year. The weather gets warmer, the days get longer, but if you’re prone to allergies, the increased dust, pollen, and everything in between can make the season unbearable.
Antihistamines, or allergy medicines, are used to control how much histamine, a chemical made by the immune system in response to allergens, the body produces. But like a lot of medications, allergy pills come with side effects, which can include drowsiness, dry mouth, weight gain, an increased heart rate, headaches, a sore throat, and nausea.
There can also be rare side effects when a person abruptly stops taking allergy pills after regular use. According to Sandra Lin, MD, a professor and the vice director of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at John Hopkins School of Medicine, halting pill usage can result in itchy skin and disrupted sleep .
But what happens when someone takes medicine for allergies every single day for an extended period of time? Is that okay? Is it harmful? After all, 50 million Americans must put up with an array of allergens each year .
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Which Allergy Meds Are Safe For Your Heart
There are three major classes of allergy medications:
- anti-inflammatories
“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. Food and Drug Administration .
Antihistamines for allergies include common OTC allergy drugs such as loratadine , fexofenadine , and cetirizine . However, if the drug also has a D after the name, be aware that it contains an added decongestant that can cause problems.
The combination of decongestants and blood pressure problems can be big trouble, according to the American Heart Association. Dr. Krasuski says it’s important that people with high blood pressure and other heart problems avoid decongestants, especially pseudoephedrine . “They can raise the blood pressure and increase the pulse, neither of which is ideal in either problem,” he says. “They can also increase the risk for heart rhythm disturbances such as atrial fibrillation.”
“This can reduce the antihypertensive effects of blood pressure medications and lead to loss of blood pressure control,” adds Dr. Campbell.
What If I Forget To Take It
Take your forgotten dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you forget to give a dose to a child who is taking cetirizine twice a day, you can give the missed dose if it’s within 4 hours of when they should have had it.
If you remember more than 4 hours after, do not give the missed dose. Instead, wait until the next dose and carry on as normal.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
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