types of allergy medications

Many medications can prevent or reduce the symptoms of allergies. These include:

• Antihistamine tablets, available by prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), turn off the tickle and dry up your nose and eyes by blocking the effects of histamine, the chemical responsible for causing many allergy symptoms. Newer, non-sedating prescription products are the least likely to make you sleepy or cause other side effects. Astelin (azelastine) is the first prescription antihistamine in nasal spray form.
• Decongestants, sold OTC in pills, sprays, and drops, open blocked nasal passageways and relieve congestion. These drugs can cause nervousness, racing heartbeat, and rapid pulse. If you have high blood pressure, a heart condition, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or prostate problems, talk to your doctor before using. Use of decongestant nasal sprays for more than a few days in a row can cause rebound congestion.
• Combination products contain a decon- gestant, antihistamine, and/or a painkiller. It generally is better to buy a product that targets only your specific complaints, so you don't take too much medicine or experience too many side effects.
• Prescription steroid nasal sprays halt the release of histamine and soothe irritated airways.
• Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) is a prescription nasal spray that blocks the trigger for nasal secretions, helping to relieve runny nose.
• Nasalcrom (cromolyn sodium), which is available OTC, is designed to prevent and relieve itchy, runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing by inhibiting the release of histamine and other symptom-causing chemicals.
• Prescription eyedrops such as Crolom (cromolyn sodium) and Alomide (lodoxamide tromethamine) help head off redness and itching in the eyes.
• For those who find insufficient relief with medications, allergy injections (immunotherapy) are tiny doses of an allergen given to desensitize the body until there is no reaction.