Benadryl is usually taken once every 4-6 hours or as directed by a doctor.Īntihistamines have been around for decades and are effective for short-term allergy relief. It is important to take OTC allergy meds as directed to avoid harmful side effects.įor example, while Claritin 24-hour and Allegra 24-hour tablets are only taken once every 24 hours, Claritin 12-hour and Allegra 12-hour tablets are typically taken once every 12 hours. However, some antihistamines can be taken multiple times a day depending on the recommended dosage on the packaging or as instructed by a doctor. Most OTC allergy medications are only meant to be taken once a day. How Often Can Over-The-Counter Allergy Medications Be Taken? Second-generation antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra). Second-generation, non-sedating antihistamines are newer antihistamines that are also effective but do not cause drowsiness unless you take very high doses. First-generation antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cause drowsiness and fatigue. There are two different generations of antihistamines.
Difference Between First-Generation and Second-Generation Antihistamines The release of histamine can result in many different allergy symptoms as an attempt to get the allergens out of your body. OTC antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamine, a chemical your immune system produces when you are exposed to your allergy triggers. Make sure that you're following the specific guidelines of your medical treatment because altering the doses could have negative effects on your health. However, this doesn't mean you should try to combine similar types of medicines or change your allergy medication prescription without consulting with your doctor. But these medications frequently don’t provide enough relief from your allergy symptoms, especially if your allergies are more severe. When you’re dealing with allergy symptoms, over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops can initially feel like a lifesaver. In particular, if you have pollen allergies and are frequently outside, it can be hard to avoid exposure to your allergens. If you are constantly being exposed to the allergens you are allergic to, you might suffer a lot from your never-ending symptoms. Having allergies can severely impact someone's health and quality of life. Some common symptoms you could experience include: Everyone experiences their allergy symptoms slightly differently depending on the severity of their allergies and their medical history.
More than 50 million people in the US have allergy symptoms. What Are the Most Common Allergy Symptoms?
0 kommentar(er)
