About Allergies: Antihistamines for the Treatment of Allergies

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies We've all seen the advertisements on television and in magazines, and heard them on the radio -- how a certain antihistamine is safe and effective for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms. This direct-to-consumer advertising is very important to the pharmaceutical companies as many of these antihistamines are available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. And, with more and more people treating their own symptoms without the advice of a healthcare professional, the choices of an OTC antihistamine can be very confusing. Should you use Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra? What about older antihistamines such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton? Do generic versions work as well as brand-name versions? Should you take the type that includes a decongestant, such as Sudafed, in the formulation? Find out the answers to these questions and more about the use of antihistamines for the treatment of allergies. Antihistamines: Everything You Need to Know Histamine is a chemical that is normally produced in the body and stored in allergic cells, such as mast cells and basophils. In people with allergies, histamine is released from these cells in a response to allergens. Histamine binds to the histamine receptor, which is present on various cells in the body, and results in allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy nose, hives, or even anaphylaxis. Antihistamines are medications that block the receptor for histamine, thereby stopping the symptoms that histamine causes. See More About:  allergy medications  allergy treatment  allergy shots All About Claritin Claritin (loratadine) is a second-generation oral antihistamine approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and urticaria (hives) for adults and children 2 years and older. Claritin is available over the counter without a prescription and in multiple generic forms, and comes in tablet and liquid forms, and as oral disintegrating tablets. The dosage of Claritin is 5 milligrams for children 2 to 6 years of age, and 10 milligrams for 6 years of age and older. Higher dosages have not been shown to be more effective for the treatment of hay fever, although may be more effective for the treatment of hives. See More About:  hay fever symptoms  hay fever treatment  allergy shots All About Zyrtec Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a 2nd generation antihistamine approved for the treatment of urticaria (hives) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) for adults and children 2 years and older (previous prescription versions were approved for children as young as 6 months of age). Zyrtec is available without a prescription (over-the-counter) in brand name (Zyrtec) and generic (cetirizine) types, and comes in tablet, chewable and liquid forms. The dosage of Zyrtec is 5 milligrams for children 2 to 6 years of age, and 10 milligrams for 6 years of age and older. Larger doses have not been shown to be more beneficial for the treatment of hay fever, but may be more useful for the treatment of hives in some people. See More About:  hay fever  hay fever treatment  allergy shots All About Allegra Allegra (fexofenadine) is a newer generation antihistamine approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and urticaria (hives) for adults and children 6 months of age and older. Allegra is available in over-the-counter in brand name and as a generic prescription. The dosage of Allegra is 15 milligrams twice a day for children 6 months to 2 years of age, 30 milligrams twice a day for 2 to 11 years of age, and 60 milligrams twice a day (or 180 milligrams once a day) for ages 12 years and older. Studies don't support higher dosages for the treatment of hay fever, but higher doages may be helpful for certain people with hives. See More About:  antihistamines  hay fever treatment  allergy shots Allergies Ads Allergies Treatment Nose Allergies Allergies Symptoms Allergies Allergy and Asthma Featured Articles Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms   More from About.com Financial Emergencies An unexpected change in your financial situation can be incredibly stressful. Here's how to cope. More> Retirement Planning Learn the top five things you need to do in order to start building a retirement nest egg. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. 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