Antihistamines are medicines that help stop allergy symptoms. These symptoms include: Show
They are normally taken by mouth. They come in tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and liquids. Many people buy them over the counter (OTC) at a store. You can also get them through a prescription from your doctor. Antihistamines are generally considered safe for most people. This includes adults, children over the age of 2, and older people. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor if antihistamines are safe for you. Ask your doctor if antihistamines are safe if you have a chronic disease or condition. This includes heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Path to improved healthYou can take antihistamines in different ways depending on your symptoms. Some people take them only when they have symptoms. Others experience symptoms every day, so they take the antihistamine every day. Sometimes people take them before they are going to be exposed to something they are allergic to. This could include an animal (such as cats or dogs) or certain kinds of plants or flowers. There are many different brands of antihistamines that you can buy over the counter. Some work in different ways. For example, some are designed to work for 4 to 6 hours. Others last for 12 to 24 hours. Make sure you read the label carefully. Follow the directions for how often to take the antihistamine. Ask your doctor which OTC antihistamine is best for you based on your symptoms. If you have severe allergies or allergies that affect you year-round, tell you doctor. It could be that you need a prescription allergy medication. The difference between these at OTCs is that prescription antihistamines can come in higher doses. Things to considerLike most medicines, antihistamines can cause side effects. The most common include:
Some types of antihistamines can cause sleepiness. Do not drink alcohol when taking antihistamines. Can I take my prescription antihistamine with other medicines?You shouldn’t take prescription antihistamines if you also are taking certain other prescription medicines. These include erythromycin (an antibiotic), or certain medicines used to treat fungal infections. These include itraconazole or ketoconazole. When your doctor gives you a prescription, always ask if it’s safe to use with the other medicines you’re taking. Your pharmacist can also tell you what is safe to take. If you aren’t sure, ask the pharmacist or your doctor before taking another medicine. Can I share my prescription antihistamines with friends who have allergies?No. Even if your friend has a similar allergy, do not share your medicine. You should never share a prescription medicine with another person. Your doctor has examined you and has picked a medicine that is right only for your problem. Some antihistamines can cause serious side effects if they are given to people who are taking another medicine, or who should not take antihistamines for another reason. Questions to ask your doctor
 Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
iStock Two common over-the-counter medications, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (loratadine), can make short work of your symptoms. So it’s natural to wonder: Could you get extra relief if you take them together? The short answer is no. In fact, you’ll likely do more harm than good. “Since both work similarly, they have numerous overlapping side effects,” says John Raimo, M.D., chair of medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in Queens, NY. “Taking them together increases your risk of those side effects without adding much potential benefit.” Those overlapping side effects include headaches, drowsiness, and dry mouth. And if you’re thinking of toggling between the two drugs: Don’t. Taking Claritin and Benadryl on the same day is risky, since Claritin stays in your body for a pretty long time, says Robert Glatter, M.D., an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “It may not be safe to take Benadryl until 12 hours after taking Claritin,” Dr. Glatter says. (Dr. Raimo takes that a step further, advising patients to avoid taking these two medications within 24 hours of each other.) To understand why doubling up on these drugs is not advisable, it helps to have a solid understanding of how each works. Let’s take a closer look. How Your Immune System WorksWhen your immune system senses an allergen, like pollen or dust, it triggers the release of histamine. This is part of your body’s defense system, meant to protect you from infections and other harms. Unfortunately, when histamine enters your bloodstream, it ends up causing all sorts of misery, like a runny nose, sneezing, and other dreaded allergy symptoms. (Little-know-fact: Your allergy symptoms are actually your immune system’s attempt to kick the irritant out of your body.) Back to Benadryl and Claritin. These over-the-counter medicines are antihistamines. Their job is to block, you guessed it, histamine. By doing so, they help prevent or relieve allergy symptoms. “Both medications can be used to treat rashes, hives, itching, and allergic-type symptoms like hay fever, characterized by itchy and red eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion, and a runny nose during early spring or late fall,” says Dr. Glatter. How Benadryl WorksWhat are the differences between the drugs? Dr. Glatter points out that Benadryl belongs to the first generation of antihistamine drugs. It’s been on the market for about 75 years, long enough for doctors to believe there are no serious side effects to the drug. It does cause significant sedation, however, which isn’t something people should overlook, says Dr. Raimo. “Since it can make you drowsy, people need to be cautious about taking Benadryl during the day,” he says, especially if you drive to work or have a job that involves operating machinery. How Claritin WorksClaritin, on the other hand, belongs to the second generation of antihistamines. First approved in 1993 as a prescription-only medication, it’s been available over-the-counter since 2002. Two significant differences between Claritin and Benadryl: First, a dose of Claritin lasts 24 hours, more than twice as long as Benadryl; second, Claritin does not usually cause severe drowsiness. “It’s a much more convenient drug for those with an active lifestyle and those who drive vehicles due to its lack of sedating effects,” says Dr. Glatter. Also, “Claritin is taken as a once-daily tablet while Benadryl needs to be taken multiple times throughout the day.” If you’re struggling with allergies, your best bet is to pick one med or the other, and go from there. And if you have allergy symptoms regularly, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor about potential causes of your allergy attacks and other prescription options that may be available to treat your symptoms. “There are numerous causes of allergy-like symptoms and several different treatment options available,” says Dr. Raimo. “Consulting with your health care provider can help you to make an informed, safe, and effective treatment decision.”
Meet Our Writer Matt McMillen Matt McMillen has been a freelance health reporter since 2002. In that time he’s written about everything from acupuncture to the Zika virus. He covers breaking medical news and the latest medical studies, profiles celebrities What medication Cannot be mixed with Benadryl?Benadryl is not known to interact with Claritin (loratadine), Vistaril (hydroxyzine), or Zyrtec (cetirizine). However, taking Benadryl in combination with any of these drugs is not typically advised, unless your doctor recommends it.
When should you not use Benadryl?Who should not take Benadryl?. overactive thyroid gland.. increased pressure in the eye.. closed angle glaucoma.. high blood pressure.. stenosing peptic ulcer.. blockage of the urinary bladder.. enlarged prostate.. an inability to completely empty the bladder.. What should you not mix antihistamines with?Examples of medicines that could cause problems if taken with antihistamines include some types of:. antidepressants.. stomach ulcer or indigestion medicines.. cough and cold remedies that also contain an antihistamine.. |
What medicine should you not mix with Benadryl?
direito autoral © 2024 cumeu Inc.
