Allergy & Sinus Relief

Introduction

When the wind blows, hay fever awakes

If you're one of some 30 million Americans who suffer annually from "hay fever" or other allergic reactions, you'll want to remember two words: antihistamines and decongestants. Make that three words: antihistamines, decongestants, and planning.

Nothing can really cure allergies, but over-the-counter antihistamines can usually offer immediate, temporary relief from sneezing, wheezing, and itching. Decongestants will open up stuffy noses to make breathing easier.

But here's the real trick. Since respiratory allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, are usually seasonable, pharmacists suggest you plan ahead by choosing an effective antihistamine as a preventive measure. You'll feel better faster when the sneezing starts.

Advice

A Little About Allergens

Those who suffer from seasonal allergies already know that allergies can be caused by pollen from such plants as ragweed and goldenrod. Allergies can be caused by many other things, too, including the following:

  • Dander from cats, dogs, and other animals
  • Exposure to air pollutants
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Mold spores
  • Household dust
  • Certain foods

Two types of over-the-counter medications help combat sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes: antihistamines and decongestants.

Antihistamines

  • Don't expect a miracle. Antihistamines will not cure allergies, but do provide fast symptomatic relief.
  • If you know you have a seasonal allergy, be prepared and get your medication ahead of time.
  • Antihistamines can make you sleepy, so it's best to take minimal doses during the day to remain alert.
  • NEVER take alcohol if you are using antihistamines. This may produce a severe sedating effect.
  • Seniors and youngsters are generally more sensitive to antihistamines and may experience nervousness, irritability, and excitation. These symptoms are in contrast to the normal sedating effect of antihistamines.
  • Women should avoid antihistamines during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
  • Some antihistamines may produce drying of mucous membranes, so if you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis this could exaggerate your symptoms.
  • Antihistamines can also interfere with skin and blood tests. So tell your physician before you take any of these tests.

Decongestants

Decongestants come in spray or tablet form. Tablets act over a longer period but can cause more side effects. Sprays work quickly with fewer side effects, but their effects also fade quickly.

  • Rebound congestion may occur when you overuse decongestant sprays. The mucous lining in your nose will become resistant and symptoms will reoccur. Symptoms may even be more severe than before the start of treatment.
  • Do not take decongestants close to the time you want to sleep because they are stimulants and can keep you awake.
  • Higher than recommended dosages of the drug could cause nervousness, insomnia, or dizziness.
  • Women should avoid decongestants during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Some Final Tips

  • Buying antihistamines and decongestants over-the-counter is convenient, but if drowsiness, dizziness, or other side effects become a problem, it's best to contact your doctor.
  • Allergy drugs and drugs to relieve coughs and colds are often placed in the same category by manufacturers, resulting in expensive combination products. Allergy sufferers can avoid confusion by purchasing single-ingredient antihistamine or decongestant products.
  • Take time-released products whole. If they are crushed the medication will be released immediately, not over a prolonged period. This surge of medication could also produce excessive side effects.
  • Seniors and children should use shorter-acting medications at first to discover if they are prone to more pronounced side effects.

Precautions

Common Side Effects

Antihistamines

  • Drowsiness
  • Thickened mucus

Decongestants

  • Excitability
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Rapid heartbeat

Infrequent to Rare Side Effects

Antihistamines

  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Nervousness
  • Tiredness
  • Vomiting
  • Hyperactivity in children

Decongestants

  • Difficult urination
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Weakness

Signs of Overdose

Antihistamines

  • Confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Seizures
  • Severe agitation
  • Severe drowsiness

Decongestants

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Rapid and irregular heartbeat
  • Seizures
  • Severe agitation
  • Vomiting

What to Do in Case of Overdose

If you suspect that you or someone you know has taken an overdose of this medication, immediately STOP USING THE MEDICATION and SEEK MEDICAL HELP.

FDA-Approved Uses

Antihistamines

Temporarily relieve runny nose, sneezing, itching of the nose and/or throat, and itchy, watery, eyes due to hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies.

Decongestants

Temporarily relieve nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, and other upper respiratory allergies. Help clear nasal passages; shrink swollen membranes; and promote nasal and sinus drainage.



Ingredients

Antihistamines

During an allergic reaction, body cells secrete a substance called histamine, which causes itchiness, watery eyes, and other symptoms. Antihistamines are a versatile class of drugs used to alleviate the effects of allergic reactions in the respiratory system and to treat motion sickness and insomnia. They work by blocking histamine's effect on certain secretory cells and drying mucous membranes. First-line agents for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, they are only about 40% to 60% effective. Why? Because while they reduce the symptoms of sneezing and itching by blocking the action of histamine, they have no effect on other components of the allergic reaction, especially those that cause nasal congestion and stuffy nose.

Decongestants

Drugs that unstuff clogged nasal passages and improve breathing for allergy sufferers. They work by significantly constricting, or narrowing, blood vessels to decrease blood flow to the nose. This shrinks the swollen tissues and reduces secretions, allowing you to breathe more easily. Oral decongestants have a longer lag than spray decongestants before taking effect, but they last longer. While not associated with rebound congestion — as nasal sprays are — oral decongestants are more likely to affect major organ systems and produce systemic side effects. Because of this, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease should consult their physicians before taking oral decongestants.

Warnings

Antihistamines

Consult a physician before using or do not use if you have:

  • Allergy to any antihistamines
  • Chronic respiratory conditions
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Glaucoma
  • Urinary obstruction

Or if you:

  • Are a pregnant or nursing mother
  • Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
  • Are administering to a child under age 6
  • Drive or operate machinery requiring alertness, dexterity, or quick reflexes

Or if you are taking:

  • Alcohol: increases antihistamine side effects
  • CNS depressants, such as:
    • Diazepam (Valium): increases antihistamine side effects
    • Phenobarbital (Luminal): increases antihistamine side effects
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOA, a class of antidepressants), such as:
    • Phenelzine (Nardil): increases antihistamine side effects
    • Tranylcypromine (Parnate): increases antihistamine side effects
  • Other antihistamines, which can increase antihistamine effects

Decongestants

Consult a physician before using or do not use if you have:

  • Allergy to decongestants
  • Diabetes
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Thyroid disease

Or if you:

  • Are pregnant or a nursing mother
  • Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
  • Are administering to a child under age 6
  • Develop new or worse symptoms with the use of the medicine
  • Use a larger dose than recommended

Or if you are taking:

  • Antihypertensives, such as:
    • Enalapril (Vasotec): may decrease enalapril's antihypertensive effects
    • Nifedipine (Adalat): may decrease nifedipine's antihypertensive effects
  • Methyldopa (Aldomet): may increase decongestant side effects
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a class of antidepressants), such as:
    • Phenelzine (Nardil): may increase decongestant side effects
    • Tranylcypromine (Parnate): may increase decongestant side effects
  • Phenothiazines, such as:
    • Perphenazine (Trilafon): may reduce decongestant effects.
    • Trifluoperazine (Stelazine): may reduce decongestant effects
  • Reserpine: may increase decongestant side effects
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, such as:
    • Amitriptyline (Elavil): may increase decongestant side effects
    • Nortriptyline (Pamelor): may increase decongestant side effects