Allergy medicines, also known as antihistamines, are medications that help alleviate the symptoms of allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to substances (allergens) that are usually harmless, such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical released by the body in response to allergens.
Histamine is responsible for causing symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
There are different types of allergy medicines, including:
-
First-generation antihistamines:
- Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine, and hydroxyzine.
- These can cause drowsiness and are generally recommended for use at bedtime.
- They may not be suitable for daytime use when alertness is required.
-
Second-generation antihistamines:
- Examples include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and desloratadine.
- These are less likely to cause drowsiness compared to first-generation antihistamines.
- They are often preferred for daytime use.
-
Nasal corticosteroids:
- These are nasal sprays that contain corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
- Examples include fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and budesonide (Rhinocort).
-
Decongestants:
- These medications help relieve nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages.
- Examples include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.
- They are often available as combination products with antihistamines.
