When choosing an antihistamine-or trying to figure out where a new symptom came from-be aware that the medication can come with side effects, including some that may be a little surprising. In addition to the OTC options, there are prescription allergy medications they can prescribe as well as eye drops and nasal sprays that may be better for your particular set of symptoms. So, if you’re not sure what’s right for you-particularly if you’ve tried a few over-the-counter options without success-it’s worth talking to an allergist about what might work. How do you know which medication is right for you?įiguring out the right allergy medication for you depends on your symptoms, your preferences, and a careful weighing of the side effects that drug might produce. As a result, these drugs generally have fewer side effects, and those they do produce tend to be less severe. Lane says, meaning that they are more selective for H1 receptors and make their way to the brain much less often. Cohen is a marathoner and OMRF’s senior vice president and general counsel.On the other hand, second-generation antihistamines are overall “cleaner” drugs, Dr. Prescott, a physician and medical researcher, is president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. He can take it before he puts his breakfast dishes in the washer. The bottom line: During the times of year when Will suffers from seasonal allergies, a Claritin every morning is a good idea. And even if it does, I’m not sure how many will be willing to give up their KitchenAids. Whether this hypothesis proves out remains to be seen. This theory suggests that when children are exposed to environments rich in bacteria, whether through dishes that are not completely washed or by growing up on farms, they are less likely to develop allergies later in life. The findings keep with a growing body of evidence that supports what’s known as the hygiene hypothesis. For example, a new study this year found that children raised in homes where dishes were washed by hand had half the rate of allergies as kids who grew up in homes using dishwashers. But that might leave him vulnerable if he’s spending lots of time outside in the late afternoon (when, presumably, the dose from the previous night is wearing off).Īllergies are a fascinating topic, and we’re learning new things about them all the time. If you find that the medication tends to wear off at night and that he’s having trouble sleeping because of allergy symptoms, you could try moving his dosage to right before bedtime. That’s a routine that’s easy to remember and adhere to, and it will guarantee that he’ll have the medication in his system when he goes outside during the day, thus minimizing the chances for allergic reaction. Taking these factors into account, I’d say your best bet is to have Will take Claritin every morning at breakfast. That means choosing a daily regimen that you - and your teenager - can easily adhere to. But the safest bet is for Will to take the medication at a time where he’ll be sure to have it in his bloodstream when he has his highest level of exposure to allergens.Īnother factor to consider is regularity. You want to preload the body each day with antihistamines so it’s prepared when exposed to manufacturers.Īlthough drug makers market these medications as 24-hour formulations, for many of us, their effects wear off in less time than advertised. With these drugs, you don’t want to wait for a full-blown attack before taking them. But these newer drugs hold a considerable advantage over traditional antihistamines: They don’t make you drowsy. This new wave of allergy fighters, which also includes drugs such as Allegra and Zyrtec and their generic twins, is slightly less effective than the first generation of antihistamines. Like its older cousins such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and chlorpheniramine, it blocks the action of allergy-causing histamines, which the body releases to try to sweep pollen and other allergens out of your system. Is there a particular time of day that’s best for giving him his allergy medication?Ĭlaritin, or loratadine, is what I’d call a “second generation” antihistamine. But I was wondering whether timing matters. This spring, we’ve been giving Claritin to Will on a daily basis, and that has seemed to ease his symptoms. We’ve found that antihistamines can provide significant relief. Every spring, when pollens from grasses, trees and weeds fill the air, his nose gets stuffy and his eyes become watery and itchy. My older son, Will, suffers from seasonal allergies.
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