The mechanisms of allergy medicine ingredients suit some patients better than others. Seasonal hay fever sufferers need strong, short-term action. Perennial allergy symptoms must be treated year-round, with medications that patients can safely take for long terms. Prescription and over-the-counter allergy medication choices include a wide array of eye drops, nasal sprays, tablets, granules, syrups and capsules. Side effects range from mild to potentially serious. A little research will help allergy patients to select formulas that are compatible with other health conditions and personal dosing preferences.
Antihistamines
In practical terms, patients have two main type of antihistamines from which to choose: sedating and nonsedating. The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, relates that the most common uncomfortable side effect of some antihistamine allergy medicines is drowsiness. Sedating hay fever drugs include diphenhydramine hydrochloride, clemastine and acrivastine. For nonsedating relief, patients can choose over-the-counter loratadine or prescription fexofenadine. Manufacturers add other ingredients such as pain-relieving acetaminophen or a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine to some formulas to address all allergy symptoms.
Cromolyn Sodium
Cromolyn sodium nasal spray represents a nonsedating alternative to antihistamine drugs. The action of this allergy medicine blocks, rather than battles, histamine chemicals in the bloodstream.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, or AAAAI, cromolyn sodium suffices to prevent allergic sneezing, itching, runny nose and congestion, without added ingredients. This hay fever formula safely addresses year-round allergies and produces no major side effects.
Decongestants
Manufacturers usually formulate the decongestant ingredients pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline and phenylephrine with a salt, such as pseudoephedrine hydrochloride or pseudoephedrine sulfate. These drugs relieve only stuffy nose allergy symptoms. Whether alone or in combination with antihistamines, these active ingredients elevate blood pressure and should not be taken by heart patients.
Over-the-counter and prescription decongestants may also be unsuitable for young children; parents should check the product labels. The UMMC reports a "rebound" side effect from these allergy medicines, in which symptoms may return and increase if patients use the drugs for more than three consecutive days.
Nasal Steroid Sprays
Nasal corticosteroids treat all hay fever and perennial allergy symptoms with fewer side effects than an oral corticosteroid such as prednisone. Doctors will help patients choose from the many different nonsedating formulas of these prescription nasal sprays to best suit their individual health conditions.
The AAAAI reports that the available nasal steroid ingredients include the compounds budesonide, fluticasone furoate, flunisolide and triamcinolone acetonide. Some formulas incorporate additional ingredients, such as salmeterol or formoterol, to address both allergies and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
