TheAllergyClinic.com ~ About Medications ~

	« go back
Sedating Antihistamines VS Nonsedating Antihistamines
Antihistamines Histamines are the chemicals your body produces that can trigger allergy symptoms. Anti-histamines work by blocking the histamines from producing these symptoms. Antihistamines often offer fast relief from sneezing, running nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Antihistamines have been on the market for years and many are available "over the counter" (without a prescription) at drug stores and supermarkets. You may have heard of Benadryl, Chlortrimeton, or Tavist. While they often provide symptom relief, they have been associated with side effects like drowsiness. They can also impair your thinking and delay your reaction timing. This makes them poor choices for people who need to be alert on the job or behind the wheel of their car. The FAA forbids commercial pilots from taking over-the-counter antihistamines for this reason. Nonsedating Antihistamines (with evidence of drowsiness similar to sugar pill) have quickly become the number one allergy medication prescribed by physicians. This class of medication is relatively newer and available by prescription only in the United States. Non or low sedating-antihistamines are available in once-daily(Claritin and Zyrtec) and twice-daily(Allegra) formulations and some products have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in children as young as age 2 .		Medications » Antihistamines » Oral Decongestants » Nose Sprays » Lung Inhalers » Non-Steroidal Lung Sprays » Bronchodilators » Using a Meter Dose Inhaler » Differences in Steroids » Leukrotiene Modifiers