Typical allergies can cause nasal congestion, a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. There are many medications to help fight allergies, from pills and injections to nasal sprays and eyedrops. Many prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available, and they fall into several groups.
Oral Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids help prevent the human body from having reactions to allergies. They do this by mimicking human hormones called hydrocortisone and cortisone. When the dose is higher than what the body normally produces, corticosteroids counter the symptoms of allergies. These oral versions---as liquids or pills---generally are used for strong or severe allergies. They include Prednisone Intensol (generic: prednisone) and Prelone (generic: prednisolone). Other brand names include Aristocort, Prednicot, Cotolone, Entocort EC, Medrol and Decadron. Side effects may include blurry vision, confusion, depression, restlessness, a rash and even blindness.
Nasal Corticosteroids
These types of allergy medications help to relieve allergy symptoms or prevent them. Like the pill form of corticosteroids, the nasal variety works by increasing the cortisone and hydrocortisone available to fight inflammation. These include sneezing, congestion and runny nose. Medications include Flonase and Veramyst (generic: fluticasone), Beconase AQ (generic: beclomethasone), Nasonex (generic: mometasone), Nasacort AQ (generic: triamcinolone), Rhinocort Aqua (generic: budesonide) and Nasarel (generic: flunisolide). Side effects from fluticasone may include nosebleeds, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Beclomethasone may produce such side effects as headaches, pain in the eyes or muscles, difficulty breathing, weakness, blindness and others that should be reported to a doctor immediately. The other medications may have similar side effects.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are available OTC and include pills, liquids, nasal sprays and eyedrops. These drugs work by preventing the release of histamine into the body in an allergic attack. OTC antihistamines include Claritin (generic: loratadine), Tavist (generic: clemastine) and Zyrtec (generic: cetirizine). There also are Benadryl (generic: diphenhydramine) and Chlor-Trimeton (generic: chlorpheniramine). A prescription-level antihistamine is Allegra (generic: fexofenadine). Nasal spray antihistamines include prescription-level drugs such as Astelin and Astepro (generic: azelastine) and Patanase (generic: olopatadine). OTC antihistamine eyedrops include Alaway and Zaditor (generic: ketotifen) and Opcon-A and Visine-A (generic: naphazoline). Prescription eyedrops inclide Patanol (generic: olopatadine), Albalon (generic: naphazoline) and Emadine (generic: emedastine).
Decongestants
Decongestants also are available as eyedrops, pills, liquids and sprays. They provide temporary relief of symptoms. Pills and liquids can contain pseudoephedrine. These include Claritin-D, Sudafed and others. Spray decongestants may include phenylephrine, such as Neo-Synephrine, or oxymetazoline, such as Afrin. Decongestant eyedrops contain tetrahydozoline, such as Clear Eyes and Visine. Side effects from oral decongestants include insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, headaches and raised blood pressure. Side effects from nasal sprays include rapid heartbeat, tremors and anxiety. Eyedrop decongestant side effects may include blood vessel damage.
