Antihistamines are commonly found in many over-the-counter medications for cough and cold. They are particularly used as decongestants, and are effective at symptomatically clearing up runny noses. However, recent changes have occurred because of the side effects of these medications. Furthermore, though many of these drugs treat symptoms, they do not facilitate recovery. In 2011, the Food and Drug administration completed its review of these products and determined that they are no longer recommended for children under the age of 2.
Several types of antihistamines are available over the counter and are used to relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergies. They work by blocking the effects of histamine in the body. Histamine causes itching, sneezing, runny...
Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine action, causing a reduction in symptoms. Choosing the right antihistamine most appropriate for the symptoms decreases the chances for side effects.
While antihistamines give symptomatic relief, they can't really fix the underlying problem. And besides only giving symptomatic relief, antihistamines come with side effects.
The resulting itching, sneezing, irritated eyes and runny nose can be chronic, seasonal or triggered by certain plants, animals or chemicals. Antihistamines may give some symptomatic relief but don't cure the condition. Some pe...
They are used to treat hives, watery eyes, itching, runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold or seasonal allergies. They may also be used for anxiety, motion sickness and insomnia. There are some common side effects of an...
