Find care near me Key Points
- Antihistamines are medications used to manage, relieve, and prevent allergy symptoms, which are caused by the body's reaction to substances it deems harmful.
- Common allergy symptoms treated by antihistamines include hives, skin rashes, congestion, runny nose, tearing eyes, sneezing, itching, and nasal swelling.
- These medications come in various forms such as pills, capsules, chewable tablets, eye drops, injections, and liquids.
- However, antihistamines can cause side effects like dry mouth, blurry vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and even rare cases of liver injury. It's important to be aware of these and avoid risky activities when using them.
- The article suggests asking your doctor about the effectiveness of antihistamines, the best type for your symptoms, common side effects, and what to avoid while using them.
3 Reasons You Would Need Antihistamines
1. Manage Allergy Symptoms
Antihistamines can be taken every day to help manage and keep allergy symptoms under control.[1] If you are regularly exposed to allergens in your daily environment at work, school, or at home, antihistamines may help prevent your symptoms from flaring or worsening. Examples of common allergens you may be exposed to on a daily basis include pollen, dust, and pet dander.[2]
2. Relieve Allergy Symptoms
Antihistamines can be used to treat allergy symptoms the moment they arise.[1] For example, if you visit someone who owns dogs and has pet dander in their home, you can take antihistamines to reduce your symptoms and find relief.
3. Prevent Allergy Symptoms
Antihistamines can be used to prevent or reduce allergy symptoms before you expose yourself to known triggers and allergens.[1] For example, if you’re allergic to pollen and plan on spending time outdoors when pollen counts are higher than usual, antihistamines may help prevent or reduce your symptoms. Antihistamines can also be taken at bedtime to prevent allergy symptoms from setting in between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., which is when symptoms are usually at their worst.[1]
Understanding Antihistamines
Antihistamines are medicines used to treat allergy symptoms. Allergies are responses and reactions to substances that are not usually considered harmful, such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and certain foods like nuts and shellfish.[2] Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamines, which are natural chemicals released by the body in response to substances it considers harmful.
Antihistamines can treat common allergy symptoms including hives, skin rashes, congestion, runny nose, tearing eyes, sneezing, itching, and swelling of the nasal passages. Antihistamines may also treat dizziness, nausea, vertigo, cough, and anaphylaxis.[3] These medicines are available in the form of pills, capsules, chewable tablets, eye drops, injections, and liquids.[2]
Antihistamines can work for as long as anywhere between 4 and 24 hours depending on the types and dosage. Some antihistamines are combined with a decongestant to dry up the nasal passages and relieve runny nose, while others may cause drowsiness to help you experience relief from all other symptoms.[1] Your doctor can work with you to choose an antihistamine that works best based on your allergy triggers, symptoms, and lifestyle.
Risks of Antihistamines
Antihistamines may cause side effects including dry mouth, dry throat, blurry vision, dizziness, drowsiness, impaired motor function, loss of appetite, urinary retention, constipation, and feelings of nervousness, excitement, and/or irritability.[1] These side effects can lead to dangerous outcomes for those who don’t take the necessary precautions when using these drugs. For instance, blurry vision, dizziness, and drowsiness can impair one’s ability to operate vehicles to increase the risk of an accident.[4]
Antihistamines may worsen urinary retention and narrow-angle glaucoma. These medicines may also cause liver injury, though this is rare. Antihistamines that are most commonly linked to liver injury are cyproheptadine and cetirizine.[3]
Take note of the side effects you experience when using antihistamines, and talk to your doctor about alternative treatments if certain side effects put you at risk or interfere with your ability to perform normal daily activities. If switching to another medication or treatment isn’t an option, make plans to avoid doing certain activities that can put you at risk when using antihistamines.
What to Expect with Antihistamines
Antihistamines will help reduce and/or relieve your allergy symptoms. Each antihistamine works differently from the next and takes a certain amount of time to produce effects. Read the labels on all antihistamine drugs before using them and take as directed. Familiarize yourself with the side effects so you know exactly what to expect, and whether it’s safe to perform activities such as driving a car or operating machinery when using that particular antihistamine.[4] Avoid using alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers when using antihistamines, since these substances may increase drowsiness.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Antihistamines
- Are antihistamines my only option for relief from allergy symptoms?
- Can I use over-the-counter antihistamines, or do I need prescription antihistamines?
- Which type of antihistamine is best for treating my symptoms?
- What are the most common side effects of the antihistamines I’m using?
- Should I avoid the use of certain foods, drinks, or substances while using antihistamines?
- Are there any activities I should avoid while using antihistamines?
- Will I need to use antihistamines for life to treat my allergies?
- Can I use antihistamines that won’t cause drowsiness?
- Is it safe to use antihistamines if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Can I use antihistamines proactively to avoid allergy symptoms?
Antihistamines May Also be Known as:
- Allergy medicines
- Allergy shots
- Allergy drugs
- Allergy medications
- Histamine blockers
- Allergy pills
- Allergy tablets
- Oral antihistamines
References
Frequently asked questions
What are the main uses of antihistamines?
Antihistamines are primarily used to manage, relieve, and prevent allergy symptoms.What symptoms do antihistamines help with?
Antihistamines can treat symptoms such as hives, skin rashes, congestion, runny nose, tearing eyes, sneezing, itching, and swelling of the nasal passages.In what forms are antihistamines available?
Antihistamines come in various forms including pills, capsules, chewable tablets, eye drops, injections, and liquids.Are there any side effects of using antihistamines?
Yes, side effects can include dry mouth, blurry vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and in rare cases, liver injury.What precautions should I take when using antihistamines?
You should be aware of the potential side effects and avoid activities that could be risky, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.What questions should I ask my doctor about antihistamines?
You should ask about their effectiveness, the best type for your symptoms, common side effects, and what to avoid while using them.Can antihistamines cause liver injury?
Yes, although it's rare, antihistamines can cause liver injury.Can antihistamines cause loss of appetite?
Yes, loss of appetite is one of the potential side effects of antihistamines.
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