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DID YOU KNOW? Histamines are the chemicals that your body releases to help fight the irritation of allergens, but histamines can also cause allergy symptoms. For example, your body releases histamines to fight the pollen inhaled through your nose, but also can cause a runny nose.
Over-the-Counter Relief
Managing your allergies means recognizing your symptoms and taking the correct medication before and throughout the allergy season. But with so many allergy medications available, choosing the right one can be confusing.
How to treat: Oral antihistamines block histamines that usually cause most allergy symptoms.
Rite Aid certirizine, diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, fexofenadine, or loratadine, Allegra, Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Xyzal
How to treat: Decongestants narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the affected area to help clear up congestion and improve breathing. They are available in 2 forms:
Oral decongestants
Rite Aid pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, Sudafed, Sudafed PE
Nasal decongestant sprays. These should not be used for more than 3 days.
Rite Aid 12-hour Nasal Spray, Sinex Nasal Spray
How to treat: Oral antihistamine and decongestant combination products block histamines and help clear congestion and improve breathing.
Rite Aid Cetiri-D, Fexofenadine D, and Lorata-D, Allegra-D, Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D
How to treat: Saline rinses physically remove and thin out secretions. Plus, they may rinse out allergens and irritants.
Rite Aid Saline Nasal Spray, Xlear Saline Nasal Spray
How to treat: Allergy eye drops are available in single and combination ingredient formulations. Topical decongestants narrow blood vessels and decrease eye congestion which relieves redness. Topical antihistamines block histamine and provide itch relief.
Rite Aid Allergy Relief Drops, Rite Aid Eye Allergy & Itch and Redness Relief, Pataday, Naphcon-A, Opcon-A, Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-action
DID YOU KNOW? The D listed after a brand name means the product contains a decongestant ingredient. And the A listed after a brand name means the product is designed to treat allergies.
Some products are single agent formulations, while others contain multiple ingredients. When selecting a product, always review the label to make sure you are not “doubling up” on an ingredient and to determine if the medication is appropriate for you. OTC medications can interact with other medications and/or medical conditions. Please consult with your physician before adding any medication to your current drug therapy.
The information available through this service is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional health care. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary.
