Antihistamines

Antihistamines are medicines designed to counter the actions of histamine, the main chemical produced in the body in allergic reactions. Antihistamines in tablet or syrup form may help reduce the allergic symptoms of sneezing and itchy eyes and nose, and may reduce mucus production. Your healthcare provider may elect to add this type of medicine to your treatment, particularly if allergies are present.

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Common over-the-counter antihistamines include:

• Claritin® (loratadine)
• Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

Newer classes of prescription antihistamines do not cause drowsiness (the same is true of Claritin, now over the counter). They include:

• Clarinex® (desloratadine)
• Allegra® (fexofenadine)
• Zyrtec® (cetirizine)