Allergies are problems that many people around the world face, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion. The right allergy medicine can make a big difference in how well these symptoms are kept in check.
And with such a wide array of products on the market, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs, which are the best? This article seeks to highlight some of the best available and sums up some of the major points you should look out for when deciding which will be the most appropriate for you.
Antihistamines
First-line treatment for allergies includes antihistamines, as their mechanism of action is blocking symptoms like sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. Among the most frequently prescribed and commonly used over-the-counter antihistamines are:
Cetirizine (Zyrtec): This antihistamine is an effective product in almost all cases of allergy symptoms. It acts with the advantage of very weak sedative effects.
Loratadine (Claritin): Loratadine is another second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergies. It has no sedating qualities and provides 24-hour relief.
Fexofenadine (Allegra): Fexofenadine is the third generation of antihistamines that are non-sedating and are capable of treating all major allergic symptoms.
Decongestants
Decongestants are usually found combined with antihistamines, most probably used to manage hay fever-related stuffy noses. Some of the most commonly applied decongestants include the following:
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed): This is a common decongestant medication used for the relief of nasal congestion. It is often abused, so it is available behind the counter.
Phenylephrine: Phenylephrine is another legal, over-the-counter type of decongestant. It is not as powerful as pseudoephedrine but can still clear up a nose to some extent.
Nasal Steroids
These are some of the most common nasal steroids that are widely accepted:
Fluticasone (Flonase): Fluticasone is a new, increasingly growing steroid OSO nasal spray. It damps down the inflammation within the nasal passages and, as such, may relieve congestion.
Triamcinolone (Nasacort): Another potent over-the-counter nasal steroid is triamcinolone, which offers an antidote for nasal congestion and inflammation.
Curex
Curex allergy drops offer an innovative way to treat allergies with their special formula that fights against indoor and outdoor allergens. Curex is effective at treating cat and dog allergies, weed and tree pollen allergies, dust mite allergies, and mold allergies. Curex’s sublingual immunotherapy treatments come in drop form, which one can easily drop under the tongue, thus eliminating the need to swallow tablets or mix with a medium for nasal use, like the other conventional types of medication. Because Curex allergy drops can be taken at home, they also eliminate the need to visit allergy clinics for immunotherapy treatments.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Allergy Medicine
When selecting the best allergy medicine for your needs, consider the factors such as relief, side effects, and cost. Get the type of medication that relieves your exact allergic symptoms, be it sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, or the combined effect of all these. Watch for side effects with each medicine, such as drowsiness, a dry mouth, or dizziness, and decide which one has side effects you can most easily put up with. Consider the convenience of the drug in its dose times and its availability as an over-the-counter or prescription drug. Compare how different the drugs are priced whether over the counter or prescribed, and choose one that meets your budget.