Even if you stay indoors during allergy season, the symptoms of this condition are tough to avoid. And really, no one wants to spend spring cooped up in the house. Things are even worse if you have a pet allergy. You definitely don’t want to avoid fun gatherings just because your friends have dogs or cats. Show
The good news? There are plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) medications that target everything from stuffy noses triggered by pet dander to sinus headaches caused by seasonal allergies. To help you decide which medication is best, we’ve gathered information on some of the best allergy medicines on the market. Get dressed to go out, because your allergies won’t be keeping you inside any longer. How to choose an allergy medicationWhere do you start when it comes to allergy meds? Let’s discuss a few major factors worth considering before you purchase your drug of choice.
1. Best General-Use Outdoor and Pet Allergy PillsName: Claritin 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief Tablets Type: Antihistamine Active ingredient: Loratadine Dose frequency: Every 24 hours Pros: Claritin is a big name in the world of allergy medicine. One of the reasons it’s so popular is because its active ingredient, loratadine, is a second-generation antihistamine. These allergy pills are less likely to cause drowsiness than older drugs like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) still relieve frustrating allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes. It works well for natural allergens like pollen or dust. Plus, this drug provides 24-hour allergy relief. Cons: Some patients experience side effects including those that the medication is formulated to avoid: drowsiness and fatigue. If you feel any strange reactions in your body, be sure to contact an allergist or immunology specialist. Shop this and other Claritin products:
2. Best DecongestantName: Sudafed PE Maximum Strength Sinus Pressure & Congestion Relief Type: Decongestant Active ingredient: Phenylephrine Dose frequency: Every 4 hours Pros: Oral antihistamines are great for everyday allergy relief, but if you’re dealing with serious sinus congestion, you’re naturally going to benefit more from a decongestant. Sudafed PE is an excellent choice. The drug uses an active ingredient called phenylephrine to fight the swelling of blood vessels and relieve congestion. Cons: Sudafed and other allergy medicines that use phenylephrine are typically kept behind pharmacy counters to curb misuse. You can buy it without a prescription, but you’ll just have to ask and show some ID. This drug may not be appropriate for people with certain underlying conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or anyone taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, so check if this product is right for you with a medical professional. Most pharmacists can tell you if it’s safe to take. Shop Sudafed PE:
3. Best Nasal SprayName: Afrin Original Nasal Spray Type: Decongestant Active ingredient: Oxymetazoline Dose frequency: Every 10–12 hours Pros: Nasal sprays offer a worthwhile allergy relief option for those who frequently suffer from nasal congestion. And while steroid or corticosteroid sprays like Rhinocort and Flonase are generally better choices for long-term use, Afrin (which isn’t a steroid spray) is particularly useful if you’re looking for immediate short-term relief. Cons: You should only use Afrin for up to 3 days, or you may develop a tolerance and have a tougher time treating congestion in the future. Shop Afrin:
4. Best Fast-Acting Allergy MedicineName: Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets 30ct Type: Antihistamine Active ingredient: Cetirizine Dose frequency: Every 24 hours Pros: Zyrtec is a renowned antihistamine that’s known for performing faster (“starts working at hour 1”) than some of its competitors. This makes it exceptionally useful if you’re desperate for quick relief from common symptoms of allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever), like a runny nose and watery eyes. Cons: Zyrtec can cause more drowsiness than its counterparts like Claritin or Allegra. Also, people over 65 years old or those with liver or kidney conditions may experience risky side effects. If you fall into that category, check with your doctor before taking this medication. Shop this and other Zyrtec products:
5. Best Non-Drowsy Allergy MedicineSource: Allegra Name: Allegra Allergy 24 HR Type: Antihistamine Active ingredient: Fexofenadine Dose frequency: Every 24 hours Pros: Like Claritin, Allegra uses a second-generation antihistamine (fexofenadine) to provide fast-acting, non-drowsy relief from common allergy symptoms. And, like Zyrtec, it performs very quickly (“24 hours of the fastest non-drowsy relief,” per the Allegra website). Plus, you only need to take one dose per day. It’s another strong choice for anyone dealing with common pet-related or outdoor allergies. Cons: As this product can potentially make you sleepy, you should check with your doctor if you take any medications that could intensify the effect. This list includes sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and psychiatric medications. 6. Best Nighttime Allergy MedicineName: Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tabs Type: Antihistamine Active ingredient: Diphenhydramine Dose frequency: Every 4–6 hours Pros: This medication is effective at bringing relief for top allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and even an itchy throat. It can also treat hives, bug bites, or any itchy rashes. Since this formula will make you drowsy, it may help you fall asleep if you’re up, staring at the ceiling and cursing your allergy symptoms. Cons: This drug will make you pretty drowsy courtesy of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. This won’t be the right choice if you have to drive or give a presentation at work. Shop this and other Benadryl products:
Best Eye DropsSource: Visine Name: VISINE Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Antihistamine and Redness Reliever Eye Drops Type: Redness reliever, antihistamine Active ingredient: Naphazoline, pheniramine maleate Dose frequency: Up to 4 times a day Pros: Formerly known as VISINE-A, these antihistamine eye drops relieve both redness and irritation caused by allergies. This is a more comprehensive package than you’ll get with a lot of eye drops, since other products often focus more on lubrication and redness relief than tackling allergic reactions directly. Cons: Some patients experience an uncomfortable reaction that includes stinging and redness of the eye. They may also get blurred vision. While side effects, especially serious ones, are uncommon, check with a healthcare professional before starting to use these drops if you have any concerns. 8. Best Allergy Medicine for KidsName: Benadryl Children’s Allergy & Sinus Relief Grape Liquid Type: Relieves a wide range of general allergy symptoms, formulated for children Active ingredient: Diphenhydramine HCI and Phenylephrine HCI Dose frequency: Every 4 hours Pros: This liquid medication is fast acting and easy to administer. It is also an affordable way to treat a wide range of common allergy symptoms. Cons: This medication can cause drowsiness or hyperactivity, so your kids may be ready for a nap or to run circles around the park after taking this one. Check with a medical professional before administering this drug to your children. Benadryl Children’s Allergy medication is also not recommended for long-term use. The best allergy medicine delivered straight to your doorPreparing your immune system to fight against your pesky allergies? Gopuff is ready to deliver the meds you need when you need them most. Browse our full selection of OTC medications, then explore the rest of our health essentials to complete your comprehensive self-care package. Place an order, and we’ll have your package delivered in no time. What's the best allergy medication for a runny nose?Sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes — these are all tell-tale signs of allergies.. Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Claritin (loratadine). Allegra (fexofenadine). Zyrtec (cetirizine). Xyzal (levocetirizine). Will allergy medicine help a runny nose?Antihistamines and decongestants won't cure your allergies. But they'll give you much-needed relief for a runny or congested nose. Antihistamines target histamine, which your body makes during an allergic reaction. You can take them as pills, nasal spray, or eye drops.
Is Claritin or Benadryl better for runny nose?Is Benadryl or Claritin better? Claritin is usually recommended over Benadryl for allergic rhinitis and other allergy symptoms. Both drugs have similar effectiveness but Claritin has less sedating side effects. Claritin only needs to be taken once daily which may be preferred for some people.
Is ZYRTEC good for runny nose?What allergy symptoms does ZYRTEC® relieve? ZYRTEC® relieves your worst allergy symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat.
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