Allergy Relief: Identifying the 5 Best OTC Medications

Allergies can be a major bummer, making you miserable and ruining your productivity. From itchy eyes to a stuffy nose, they can disrupt your life in all the wrong ways. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to suffer in silence. 

You can say goodbye to allergies with the right over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and enjoy your life again. This article will discuss the top 5 OTC medicines that can help you get back on your feet and eliminate those pesky allergies. 

We’ll explore the different types of drugs and how they can help you manage your allergy. So if you’re ready to bid farewell to allergies, keep reading!

Understanding Allergy

When the body’s immune system misidentifies dust and pollen as germs, it launches an aggressive counterattack, releasing histamines to combat the perceived threat. Though allergies are passed down genetically, they are not contagious.

Allergies can take a toll on your nasal passages, throat, sinuses, and upper respiratory system. It’s important to note that allergies can stay with you for months, making life more difficult.

Some common symptoms that show up when an allergy is triggered include sneezing, tightness in the chest, itchiness on the skin, runny nose, and sometimes itchy eyes. These symptoms present when a chemical known as histamine is released in our body on the trigger, as mentioned earlier. 

Antihistamines are the type of medicines that are used to manage symptoms caused by allergies.

Understanding Antihistamines 

Antihistamines can help reduce or eliminate allergy signs or reactions by obstructing the effects of histamine. These medications come in various forms like pills, liquids, sprays, drops, and injections that healthcare professionals use in medical environments.

How to choose the right Antihistamines 

You can purchase a wide variety of antihistamines without a doctor’s prescription. Some may provide relief for a mere four to six hours, while others may provide symptom relief for up to 24 hours. Some medications even contain a decongestant, which helps to open up the nasal passages.

Based on the severity of your symptoms, you can try any of the following 5 OTC antihistamines. 

1. Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Antihistamines that treat light allergic reactions, like hay fever, sneezing, a tickly throat, or cold and cough-like symptoms, contain cetirizine hydrochloride as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. It is especially beneficial when people get exposed to airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, or pet hair.

2. Levocetirizine (Xyzal)

An alternative to cetirizine is levocetirizine, the same medication with a modified formulation. Both cetirizine hydrochloride and cetirizine dihydrochloride (levocetirizine) are equally effective and can be used interchangeably for allergies.

3. Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Allegra adult 24-hour allergy relief contains fexofenadine, a non-drowsy antihistamine that those over 12 can take. One 180-milligram tablet daily is the regular dosage, but be aware that specific side effects, such as dizziness and nausea, may occur.

4. Loratadine (Claritin)

Claritin tablets are potent and can relieve more than 200 allergens. No matter if it’s mould, pet hair, or other airborne irritants, Claritin will help keep them all at bay and is the ultimate guard against allergies; you can take them whenever you need them – these tablets will not make you feel drowsy.

5. Phenylephrine

Decongestant drugs, particularly phenylephrine nasal sprays and oral doses, contain phenylephrine as their active pharmaceutical ingredient. These medicines are designed to help make breathing easier and temporarily relieve congestion in the nose and sinuses.

Takeaway Message 

If you experience allergies regularly, you may benefit from taking an antihistamine like Cetirizine at night or fexofenadine during the day to reduce a dry nose or itchy throat. To help clear a stuffy, clogged nose, you can use an oral or nasal decongestant such as Phenylephrine. All these medicines are available on our online pharmacy, Truemeds. 

When placing an order for medicines online, you may save more money by selecting alternative medicine advised by Truemed’s expert doctors. Get free teleconsultation from our expert doctors once you order medicine from an online pharmacy – Truemeds- or download our Truemeds app. You can avail of branded and generic medication by uploading your prescription on Truemeds. You can save up to 72% on your purchase and get free home delivery* pan India.

Disclaimer– The information in this article is accurate to our best knowledge; we recommend you consult your healthcare professional before practising any information mentioned in this article.

References

• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000549.htm 
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antihistamines/