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HomeMedicineWhat Happens If You Take Allergy Medicine Without Allergies

What Happens If You Take Allergy Medicine Without Allergies

Which Allergy Medications Should You Never Take Together

What Allergy Medicine Should My Child Be Taking?

Although you can take some medications together to treat allergy symptoms, combining certain medications can be very dangerous. Different oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, levocetirizine, desloratadine, and fexofenadine should never be taken together. Taking different oral antihistamines together can lead to an antihistamine overdose.

Signs of an overdose may include the following:

  • Fast or racing heartbeat

  • Behavioral changes

  • Poor balance or coordination

In severe cases, an antihistamine overdose can result in serious complications including cardiac arrest, seizures, and even death.

If someone you know may be experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately or use the Poison Control helpline at .

Does Combining Allergy Medications Help Or Hurt

In certain situations, your provider may prescribe both a medication that you take by mouth and a medication that you apply elsewhere, such as a nasal spray or eye drops. For severe allergies, your provider may recommend using a combination of a steroid and an antihistamine nasal spray.

Oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine are also sometimes taken with other allergy medications to relieve stuffiness and congestion. However, these medications may also causeside effects such as:

  • Sneezing or dry nose

  • Shakiness

  • Trouble sleeping

Some individuals, such as older adults or people with heart problems, may experience more side effects when taking many allergy medications. Make sure to discuss the risks and benefits of combining these treatments with your provider.

How Are Antihistamines Classified

Antihistamines are divided into two major subtypes. The first subtype is called H-1 receptor antagonists or H-1 blockers. This subtype of antihistamines is used to treat allergy symptoms. The second subtype is called H-2 receptor antagonists or H-2 blockers. They are used to treat gastrointestinal conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease , peptic ulcers, gastritis, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. The naming structure tells doctors and scientists the cell type the location of the histamine receptor that the antihistamine medication blocks.

The H-1 blocker subtype is further broken down into two groups first-generation antihistamines and second-generation antihistamines.

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My Allergic Reaction Symptoms

One winter my tongue started feeling heavy as usual – this happened every winter. My acupuncturist said I had dampness within my body and an acupuncture treatment always cleared it right up.

But this time I did not go for my acupuncture treatment due to the weather. It was snowing every other day, the weather was bad, and the evenings were unusually dark.

My tongue kept getting heavier. With my mouth getting so dry even when I drank water it was still dry. At nights I would wake up struggling to breathe, shaking my head to get some air in and drinking even more water.

With all this happening, I still didnt realize that I was having a life-threatening experience.

My tongue was choking me, I am struggling to take deep breaths and not paying attention until my heart started racing, and my blood pressure spiking. That was when it hit me that something was really wrong.

Oh, I am still taking my blood pressure medication completely unaware of the danger that was brewing. All this happened over a week and half period. This was a life-threatening allergic reaction which I did not know I was having.

Can I Give Antihistamine To My Child

Best

Cetirizine tablets and liquid that you buy from pharmacies and supermarkets can be taken by adults and children aged 6 and older. Children over the age of 2 can also take liquid cetirizine for hay fever and skin allergies. Cetirizine can also be taken under medical supervision by children aged 1 year and older.

Recommended Reading: Side Effects Of Antihistamines In Adults

Avoiding Exposure To Allergens

The best way to keep your symptoms under control is often to avoid the things you’re allergic to, although this is not always practical.

For example, you may be able to help manage:

  • food allergies by being careful about what you eat
  • animal allergies by keeping pets outside as much as possible and washing them regularly
  • mould allergies by keeping your home dry and well-ventilated, and dealing with any damp and condensation
  • hay fever by staying indoors and avoiding grassy areas when the pollen count is high
  • dust mite allergies by using allergy-proof duvets and pillows, and fitting wooden floors rather than carpets

If I Dont Usually Take Allergy Medicine Should I Take It To Prevent An Allergic Reaction To The Vaccine

No. Theres no need to suddenly start taking allergy medicines if youve never taken them before. Using antihistamines to prevent an allergic reaction to the vaccine is not recommended.

Likewise, the CDC doesnt recommend taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen, before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.

If youre worried, your best strategy is not premedication, but to talk to your doctor so that you can try to alleviate some of that anxiety, says Feldman. In general, these vaccines have been very safe andweve seen very few true allergic reactions.

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So If Allergy Meds Are Interacting With My Immune System Doesnt That Mean It Could Change How My Body Responds

There was one rodent study that suggested antihistamines might prevent an animal from building a tolerance to allergens, but the study was based on venom, not pollen or other common allergens, and again: it was a rodent study. There have been no studies to suggest that humans experience the same issue. Sawlani agrees that OTC meds like antihistamines and nasal sprays, and certainly eye drops, should not have a significant clinical impact on your immune system.

Bassett explains that its probably not your drugs that are to blame. It just takes less grains of pollen to cause a reaction as the season progresses, When your immune system is already primed to react to certain allergens, it takes less of an initial spark to set off the whole cascade of histamines. He advises starting to take your allergy meds a few weeks before the pollen is likely to peak, and suggests seeing an allergist if you want to manage your symptoms better. In-office testing for allergens could help you understand how to decrease your exposureor just tell you which plant or animal to blame when you complain about turning into a snot monster.

Is It Better To Take Brand Or Generic Otc Allergy Medications

How to Know If You Have Allergies | Stephen Dreskin, MD, PhD, Allergy and Immunology | UCHealth

Generic medications will provide allergy relief as effectively as a brand-name product, and at a fraction of the price. Ask your pharmacist if you need help finding a generic product. The allergy aisle can be overwhelming.

And just as an FYI, you can get discounts with SingleCare on OTC allergy meds, but youll need to follow these steps.

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What Is A Sulfa Allergy

A sulfa allergy is a rash or more serious reaction to sulfa drugs. These drugs can treat a range of health problems from eye infections to rheumatoid arthritis .

Sulfa drugs, also called sulfonamides, include antibiotics as well as other types of drugs. Allergies happen most often with antibiotics. About 3 percent of people have some type of reaction to them.

Tell your doctor right away if you think youâre having a reaction to a sulfa drug. Theyâll decide whether to take you off the drug and how to treat your symptoms.

Fighting Back Against Tiny Allergens Before They Strike Can Help You Avoid Or Reduce Symptoms

The spring allergy season begins next month, and if you want to avoid symptoms, you must act now. “Pretreating allergies will lead to better control of symptoms, and maybe prevent symptoms from showing up,” says Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

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Should I Stop Taking My Allergy Medicine Before My Vaccine Appointment

You dont need to stop taking your regular allergy medicines if youre getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

If every springtime you take your Zyrtec and use your nose sprays, absolutely you should continue taking those, says Shirley Fung, an allergy and immunology specialist at Jefferson Health. Theres no concern it will interfere with the efficacy of the vaccine.

If youre taking stronger, immune-suppression medications, like prednisone, talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated. The vaccine is considered safe if youre immunocompromised, but research is still underway on the efficacy of the vaccine for immunocompromised people.

Over-the-counter allergy medicines, like Zyrtec, Flonase, Claritin, and Allegra, however, dont require a discussion with your doctor. You may even want to set a reminder to take your medicine, especially if you see a high pollen count on the day of your appointment.

Obviously the benefit of getting your COVID vaccine as soon as possible is important, but if youre already stuffy and sneezy, and you add to that the potential of more side effects later, that might not feel good, says Scott Feldman, a physician and assistant professor of medicine in the section of allergy and immunology at Penn Medicine. You may want to take your maximum allergy medication to control your allergies if its a particularly bad day.

If Otc Medications Arent Effective Are There Prescription Options Available

Natural Antihistamines for Fast Allergy Relief without ...

Most allergy medicine is now available over the counter . However, several nasal sprays are available by prescription only. These include Astepro , Dymista , and Nasonex . Flonase is available in prescription and OTC strengths.

OTC medications are often sufficient to treat allergy symptoms, but if your symptoms are not relieved by OTC meds, check with your healthcare provider to see if a prescription medication may be right for you.

If you have asthma and allergies, there are a variety of treatments available by prescription to alleviate both, including inhalers or oral medication such as Singulair .

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Is It Safe To Combine Allergy Medications Together

Some allergy medications, especially if they work differently in the body, can be safely taken together. For instance, someone taking an oral antihistamine, such as cetirizine, can also use antihistamine eye drops like ketotifen to treat itchy or watery eyes. However, keep in mind that oral antihistamines can cause dry eyes and worsen some allergy symptoms.

Nasal sprays, including steroids and decongestants, are sometimes used with oral antihistamines to treat allergy symptoms. These medications work in different ways to relieve symptoms, such as a runny nose or congestion. However, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends that a steroid nasal spray should first be used by itself to treat allergies since it is more effective than other medication classes.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

  • Do I need an antihistamine?
  • Can I take one over the counter, or do I need a prescription?
  • Which over-the-counter type of antihistamine is the best for my symptoms?
  • What are the side effects of this type or brand?
  • Is there anything I should avoid doing while Im taking an antihistamine?
  • How long should I take it?

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Seek Care Immediately If:

  • You have trouble breathing, wheezing, tight feeling in your chest or throat, or a swelling in your mouth. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY . Dial 911 or 0 for help. Or, have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room.
  • You have hives, swelling, or itching ALL OVER your body.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

When You Take Allergy Medicine Every Day This Is What Happens

Which Allergy Medicine Is Perfect For You?

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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What Other Drugs Will Affect Robitussin Cough & Allergy

Avoid using this medicine with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing . Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, , and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this medication guide.

How Long After Taking A Medicine Can An Allergic Reaction Occur

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Allergy Medication For Toddlers

Allergy medications are not recommended for use in children under the age of two years without out the advice of a physician. In this group, mild symptoms can be managed using non-drug methods such as saline spray for a stuffy or dry nose and/or a vaporizer/humidifier for congestion. If the allergy is in the form of a rash, emollient creams may offer some relief. For more severe allergy symptoms widespread rash, wheezing, red, watery eyes parents should consult a pediatrician.

What Is An Allergic Reaction

Allergy Medicine for Kids

A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. An allergic reaction refers to the way the body reacts to an allergen.

Common allergens include dust mites, pollen, animal dander, moulds, insect venoms , latex and certain foods.

Allergic reactions cause symptoms in various parts of the body, such as the sinuses, the lungs, the nose, the ears, the throat, the skin, and the stomach lining.

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What Is Allergy Pretreatment

Allergy pretreatment is simple: start taking your medicine a few weeks before the allergy season starts. While they might vary by a week or so from year to year, the pollen seasons are really quite predictable, says Hugh H. Windom, MD, associate clinical professor of immunology at the University of South Florida. So if you know the allergens that trigger your allergies, getting a jump on them should be easy.

âThe sooner you get on your medicine, the better,â Windom says. What type of medicine works best for pretreatment of allergies? That depends on your case.

âThereâs no ideal drug for preventing allergy symptoms,â Windom says. âChoosing the best drug depends a lot on what worked for you in the past.â

Any allergy medicine can work as pretreatment, more or less. Antihistamines are an excellent choice, experts say. Examples of over-the-counter antihistamines are Benadryl or Claritin. Prescription antihistamines, like the nasal spray Astelin, are another option. Other allergy medicines that work in different ways, such as steroids — like Flonase, Nasonex, or Veramyst — can also help.

What if you donât take the medicine before your symptoms start? Donât despair. âBeing off by a day or two is not a big deal,â Windom tells WebMD. âBut donât wait a whole week, since by then you might already have a cough, and congestion, or worse.â

If youâre pretreating every year, how will you know if youâve outgrown your allergies?

How Is An Allergic Reaction To An Antibiotic Treated

  • Antihistamines decrease mild symptoms such as itching or a rash.
  • Epinephrine is medicine used to treat severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis.
  • Steroids reduce inflammation.
  • Desensitization may be done after you have a reaction, if you need to be treated with the antibiotic again. Your healthcare provider will give you small doses of the antibiotic over a few hours. He will treat any allergic reaction that you have. The dose is increased a little at a time until the full dose is reached and the medicine stops causing an allergic reaction. You will have to take a dose of the antibiotic every day to keep your body desensitized.

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What You Should Do

Work with your doctor to develop a pretreatment strategy, including how far in advance you should use medications. That plan should also include drug-free ways to avoid allergens, such as keeping air conditioning and heating filters and vents clean, keeping windows closed, wearing a mask for outdoor yard work, and avoiding going outside when pollen levels are highest.

Do You Know About Possible Antihistamine Withdrawals

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Before you decide to start an antihistamine, you should be aware of the potential for withdrawal effects. For example, some people experience symptoms with cetirizine if they take it for a while and then stop suddenly. The main withdrawal symptom is called pruritus itching and burning sensations of the skin ranging from moderate to severe. Other antihistamine withdrawal symptoms include interruptions in sleep patterns.

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When Should You Start Taking Allergy Medications To Best Prevent Seasonal Allergies

Because people with seasonal allergies only have symptoms at certain times of the year, it is typical for them to only use medications during those times. But for best results, its important to start your preventative medication before allergy season begins.

Its best to start your daily allergy medications about 2 weeks before you would typically begin having symptoms . This gives your body time to adjust to the medications and experience the preventative benefits of them. If you have spring allergies, you might need to start your daily medications in early February, depending on where you live. If you have fall allergies, you might have to begin your routine in late July.

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