Latest news with #antihistamine
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
My nose is constantly running. I've tried everything to stop it but nothing works. What is wrong with me? DR MARTIN SCURR has the startling answer
My nose runs at the slightest thing – I suffer from hayfever even during the winter, but my nose runs worse when I eat. It's so embarrassing I don't eat out any more. Several years ago, a doctor prescribed an antihistamine – I've since tried every over-
Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Times
What is fexofenadine? The hay fever pill that could save your summer
The latest box that Amol Rajan has ticked on his busy to-do list is finding a cure for hay fever. Well, sort of. The University Challenge quizmaster, Today programme host and summertime sneezer has been singing the praises online of a pill called fexofenadine — and has been inundated with messages of gratitude from fellow sufferers on Instagram and TikTok. About a quarter of the population suffers from hay fever, although the charity Allergy UK says levels are rising, with as many as 49 per cent of people now reporting symptoms. Rajan's followers, however, say 'fex' has relieved them of theirs. So what is it and how does it compare with other allergy drugs? The most commonly taken hay fever medications are both antihistamines: cetirizine (often sold under the brand names Benadryl or Piriteze) and loratadine (Clarityn). They work by stopping you feeling the effects of histamine — the chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction. This chemical causes the runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. • Why nature isn't to blame for your hay fever hell These pills make you less drowsy than older generations of antihistamine such as chlorphenamine (Piriton), they last longer and are less likely to disrupt the important REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep. Cetirizine and chlorphenamine are generally faster-acting than loratadine, both taking effect within an hour compared with up to three hours, but loratadine can last for up to 24 hours. Cetirizine can also last all day but is slightly more likely to cause drowsiness than loratadine. Chlorphenamine lasts up to six hours. Fexofenadine is also an antihistamine, but has only been available over the counter since December 2020. It is generally the least sedating of the antihistamines and lasts for 24 hours. It can cost more than cetirizine or loratadine, but buying a branded version such as Allevia (£12.49 for 30 tablets at Boots) is unnecessary. 'Generic versions are cheaper and equally effective,' says Dr Chris Rutkowski, a consultant allergist at OneWelbeck in London. 'When looking at a label you should focus on the active ingredient rather than a brand.' The active ingredient is fexofenadine hydrochloride, which, despite the glowing reports sent to Rajan, is no more potent than the other histamine blockers. 'All antihistamines work a little differently in different people and it's worth trying a few to see which suits you, but they are really pretty similar,' says Professor Adam Fox, chairman of the National Allergy Strategy Group. • Will genetically modified rice end hay fever misery for millions? Fexofenadine is suitable for most people aged six and above. If the single 120g adult dose isn't working for you, talk to your pharmacist or GP about a larger dose. There are very few people who cannot take antihistamines but if you have glaucoma, prostate issues, a heart condition or are on certain medications it's best to check with your GP first. 'Side-effects for fexofenadine are typically mild,' Fox says, but they can include those of the other antihistamines: dry mouth, nausea, headaches. Adding a steroid nasal spray may help some sufferers. For serious cases Rutkowski says to consider sublingual immunotherapy (Slit), where a small amount of pollen is placed under the tongue. • How to exercise when you suffer from hay fever Alternatively Fox recommends asking your GP about prescription-only tablets such as Grazax and Itulazax, which treat grass and tree pollen allergies respectively.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The FDA Just Discovered A New Uncomfortable Side Effect For This Popular Allergy Med
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Allergy season is in full swing, and chances are, if you're one of the 25 percent of adults who suffer from seasonal sniffles, you're reaching for your trusty meds. Zyrtec is a super popular over-the-counter option because it's pretty darn reliable to treat your symptoms. But, as with any other drug, it's important to keep Zyrtec side effects in mind so you can get all the benefits while minimizing any potential downsides. Zyrtec is an antihistamine and it blocks histamines to stop allergic reactions, says Virginia Boomershine, an ambulatory clinical pharmacy regional senior manager for Banner Pharmacy Services. Histamines are the culprits behind all those pesky allergy symptoms, like itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, and sneezing. The good news is there are fewer side effects from Zyrtec compared to first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl (which you actually shouldn't be taking at all), and it's relatively safe even at higher than standard doses for most people, says Jennifer Toh, MD, an allergist and immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Below, docs share *all* the possible side effects you might experience on the med. Take note: most of the entries below include the word "rare." That's because side effects on Zyrtec are uncommon. Any side effects are typically mild, and a majority of people can take the medication with no issues, adds Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Allergy & Asthma Network. Keep reading to find out whether this medication is right for you and what you can do about the potential side effects. Meet the experts: Jennifer Toh, MD, is an allergist and immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Purvi Parikh, MD, is an allergist and immunologist at Allergy & Asthma Network. Virginia Boomershine is an ambulatory clinical pharmacy regional senior manager for Banner Pharmacy Services. Maria Shtessel, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine, division of clinical immunology at Mount Sinai. Robert Eitches, MD, is an allergist at Tower Allergy. It's best to be aware of potential Zyrtec side effects—especially if you're planning on popping the stuff on the reg over the next few you've ever slept 14 hours after popping a Benadryl, you're well aware that some allergy meds can seriously knock you out. That's not as common with Zyrtec, but 11 to 14 percent of people do report feeling sleepy after taking it, making it the most common side effect reported, says Boomershine. Since the effects of Zyrtec last 24 hours, drowsiness can hit at any time. Avoid alcohol and be careful about driving if the med hits you with the sleepies, per the Zyrtec you have an allergic response, your tissue secretes more fluid (hello runny nose and watery eyes). Antihistamines, therefore, dry you up, which means that dry mouth is a possibility—but only a small one. Less than 10 percent of Zyrtec poppers will wind up with dry mouth, says Boomershine. Drinking water will help, she says, as will switching to an alcohol-free mouthwash, as that ingredient also dries you can be a rare potential side effect and may disappear after your body adjusts to the medication, per the Mayo Clinic. Give it time, but always check in with your doctor if you're concerned. And, just like with drowsiness, hold off on driving if you're feeling may cause insomnia because the medicine can block acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter, says Dr. Parikh. Acetylcholine is involved in the initiation of REM sleep (i.e., the sleep stage most commonly associated with dreaming), so if those neurons are inhibited, you may have trouble falling and staying asleep. Luckily, this side effect is rare. It can also turn kids into little insomniacs, says Boomershine. Having them take the long-acting med earlier in the day won't help either since it lasts all day. Talk to their pediatrician about making a incredibly rare, according to the National Institutes of Health, but keep it on your radar anyway. While you may be taking Zyrtec to prevent allergy symptoms, it's possible to have a potentially deadly allergic reaction called anaphylaxis from the medication itself. (FYI: This is a risk with all medications, not just Zyrtec.) If you develop hives, swelling, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, call 911 immediately. (Psst: Looking for the best allergy med, according to allergy doctors? Get their verdict here.)If you experience a sore throat while taking Zyrtec, it's likely because your mucous membranes, the inner lining of your body and organs, become drier, causing the tissue in your mouth to also feel more parched and lead to a sore throat, says Dr. Eitches. And coughing can be an instinctive response to try to moisten the mouth. To combat this, stay hydrated. But if this side effect becomes too severe, Dr. Eitches suggests switching to a different is a very rare side effect that happens due to a drug's anticholinergic effect, which means the drug blocks neurotransmitters that affect how the body functions. In this case, certain receptors that help gut motility are blocked. This side effect was much more common with older, first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl, says Dr. Patel. It's not as common with Zyrtec, but if this does happen to you, Dr. Eitches recommends trying a different antihistamine, adding fiber to your diet, and staying well-hydrated to get things moving is another super rare side effect of Zyrtec, but it is possible, says Dr. Parikh. Remember acetylcholine? Turns out blocking it may also trigger anxiety and fast heart rate because acetylcholine regulates heart contractions and blood pressure as well. You should stop feeling antsy once you discontinue the medication, but if quitting it is not an option, talk with your doctor about other drugs that can help you manage your allergies, notes Dr. of May 2025, the FDA issued an alert that discontinuing Zyrtec after long-term use may result in severe pruritus (or, itchiness) within a few days. It's rare, but can sometimes require medical intervention. "I always counsel my patients who have been on Zyrtec for long periods of time to taper the medication off slowly," says Maria Shtessel, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Mount Sinai. "For example, [they can start by] taking it first every other day, and increasing the days between doses slowly before completely stopping."Yep. "When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily. This is especially true with Zyrtec, since it doesn't show decreasing effectiveness if used daily," says Sima Patel, MD, an allergist at New York Allergy & Sinus Centers. Still, it's probably worth holding off on medication that you don't need, says Dr. Patel. So if you aren't having allergy symptoms or they get milder during a certain time of the year, that's probably a good time to take a Zyrtec break. "We always want the least amount of medication to control symptoms. However, starting allergy medications two weeks prior to your symptomatic season is best to help prevent symptoms," Dr. Patel depends on whether you experience any side effects, says Robert Eitches, MD, an allergist at Tower Allergy. If your problems are only during the day time and you aren't really prone to side effects, then go ahead and take it during the day. But if you experience side effects like drowsiness, Dr. Eitches recommends taking your dose at night before bed. "That way you wake up in the morning relatively clearer too," he says. If it makes you sleepy, the side effect will have likely worn off by the time you wake up, and since the medication can provide relief for 24 hours, you'll still experience relief during the is safe for most people, but there are some individuals who should stay away. Children under 2, anyone with a history of an allergic reaction to Zyrtec or hydroxyzine/piperazine derivatives, and those with severe renal impairment shouldn't take Zyrtec, says Dr. Patel. If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, Dr. Patel recommends speaking to your doctor before using it. The medication is "primarily eliminated from your body through the kidneys," says Dr. Parikh. So, if your kidneys aren't functioning properly, the medication can accumulate and build up in your blood, which may cause additional damage to your kidneys and severe side effects. Additionally, if you take any medications that can cause sedation, such as benzodiazepines, you should talk with your doctor before taking Zyrtec, says Dr. Parikh, because combining the two may cause worsened side effects. Other antihistamines are typically okay to take with Zyrtec as long as they don't make you too sleepy, she adds. And it's always a good idea avoid alcohol when you're on Zyrtec. When in doubt, go to your doctor with any questions before you take Zyrtec to quell allergy symptoms. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
