Allergy Medication for Symptom Relief

Allergy medications are drugs used to relieve symptoms associated with allergic reactions, such as sneezing, itching, and congestion. They may include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays.

Allergy Medication FAQ

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What medications are used to treat allergies?

Antihistamines, oral decongestants, combination antihistamines/decongestants, corticosteroid nasal sprays, skin creams, oral corticosteroids, eye drops, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene inhibitors, biologics, and emergency epinephrine shots may all be used to treat allergies or allergic reactions.

What are the different types of Allergy medications?

Several types of medications are used to treat allergy symptoms. Here's more information. Allergy medications are available as pills, liquids, inhalers, nasal sprays, eyedrops, skin creams and shots (injections). Some are available over-the-counter; others are available by prescription only.

What are antihistamines used for?

Antihistamines are medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings. They're also sometimes used to prevent motion sickness, to treat feeling sick (nausea) or being sick ( vomiting ), and as a short-term treatment for insomnia.

Can you take antihistamines if you have allergies?

If you have mild-to-moderate allergies, antihistamines bought over the counter may help. These may also help with bites and stings and travel sickness. If your allergy symptoms are very bad, your GP may offer you other antihistamines on prescription.

What is a drug allergy?

The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) defines drug allergy as an adverse drug reaction with an established immunological mechanism. The mechanism at presentation may not be apparent from the clinical history and it cannot always be established whether a drug reaction is allergic or non-allergic without investigation.

What is a drug allergy guideline?

This guideline covers diagnosing and managing drug allergy in all age groups. It aims to make it easier for professionals to tell when someone is having an allergic reaction, by specifying the key signs and patterns to look out for.

Are all drugs allergic?

All drugs have the potential to cause side effects, also known as 'adverse drug reactions', but not all of these are allergic in nature. Other reactions are idiosyncratic, pseudo-allergic or caused by drug intolerance.