Which otc allergy medicine is best

It is not for patients under the age of two. Rhinocort is another spray that claims to provide much needed relief from nasal congestion. Do your allergies only cause isolated eye irritations? If so, eye drops could be a good solution. Most eye drops rely on two main medications — Ketotifen and Naphazoline. Naphazoline can cause a tingling sensation, which some people find a tad uncomfortable. Want immediate relief for your itchy eyes? Try Zaditor.

These prescription-strength drops quickly target the source of your irritation and reduce your symptoms for up to 12 hours. Then you may want to try Visine-A.

It combines an antihistamine with a redness reliever to soothe itchy, irritated eyes. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Health Topics. Health Tools. By Everyday Health Editors. Reviewed: July 16, Here are the four main long-acting oral antihistamines available over-the-counter: Claritin Hour Allergy Tablets. See price on Amazon Zyrtec Allergy Tablets. See price on Amazon Nasal Steroids Suffering from congestion, sneezing fits, and a runny or itchy nose?

Nasal decongestants, such as phenylephrine or oxymetazoline, are effective in providing short-term relief of nasal congestion, but generally have no effect on itching, sneezing, or runny noses. Limit these to two to three days, since prolonged use can lead to rebound congestion. This generally occurs after five to ten days of treatment, but it can occur in as little as three days.

These agents are often useful in providing prompt relief of nasal congestion when used with other anti-allergy agents. Nasal Saline Nasal saline can help with symptoms of a runny nose when used alone or with other allergy treatments.

Nasal hygiene dilutes and removes irritants from the nasal passages and sinuses. It generally has a few minor side effects, such as burning or stinging in the nose and is relatively inexpensive. This is a reasonable choice for children who are willing and able to use it. The management of allergies includes a combination of allergen avoidance and drug treatment. With most allergy treatment options available OTC, your pharmacist can be influential in helping you choose appropriate treatments for your symptoms.

Diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, chlorpheniramine, and clemastine are first-generation antihistamines that have been available over the counter for years. These commonly cause sedation. These medications may also decrease cognitive and motor skills, leading to difficulty for patients at work or when driving.

Some patients, especially children, may notice stimulation effects like insomnia, anxiety, and hallucinations. These should not be used by patients with glaucoma. The good news is that there are plenty of meds to choose from. The bad? That makes it hard to even know where to start. Li says. Instead, Dr. Li recommends keeping an eye out for these ingredients:.

Pro tip, per Dr. Otherwise, you run the risk of rebound congestion, Dr. So, what should you get? Everyone and their needs are a little different, but allergists say these OTC allergy medicines tend to be best. Zyrtec, aka cetirizine hydrochloride, consistently offers up relief in the form of a tiny, easy-to-swallow pill. The tablets work fast and keep on delivering all day.

Just note: It's important to take it every day in order for the medication to be as effective as possible. Both Dr. Li and Dr. Parikh say that Allegra—or its generic form, fexofenadine—is a winner. Flonase is a steroid nasal spray that helps keep your body from overreacting to allergens like pollen. Just use one or two sprays in each nostril daily. Li recommends combining it with Allegra for maximum benefits.