Some of the most common antihistamine drugs include Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Claritin (loratadine); however, there are dozens of antihistamine drugs on the market.
Allegra (fexofenadine). Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that is often used to treat sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. The most common side effects include headaches, earaches, vomiting, back pain, body aches, chills, coughing, diarrhea, dizziness, fevers, joint pain, muscle aches, nasal congestion, painful menstruation, runny or stuffy nose, sleepiness, sneezing, sore throat, and weakness.2 You may notice that the drug can cause some of the same symptoms it is used to treat. You should not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this drug, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness and increase the risk of injury. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Fexofenadine should not be combined with the herb St. John’s wort, as the herb increases blood levels of the drug. Conversely, ingestion of apple juice, grapefruit juice, or orange juice can decrease the blood levels of the drug, reducing its effectiveness.3
Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Also known by the names of Benylin, Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Tylenol Flu, Excedrin PM, and other brand names, diphenhydramine is primarily used to reduce the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes as well as to reduce swelling associated with allergic skin reactions. Although it is available on its own, it is also frequently combined with other drugs to address colds, flus, and other respiratory infections. Some of the side effects can include sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, thickening of respiratory mucous secretions, depression, impaired motor skills, confusion, neck stiffness, difficulty swallowing, dementia, rash, eczema, nausea, tachycardia (quickening of the heart beat), heart palpitations, reduced blood pressure, anemia, and gastrointestinal (GI) upset.4 You should not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this drug, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness and increase the risk of injury. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication, as it can significantly increase the drowsiness caused by the drug. This drug interacts with many other drugs, so you should consult your pharmacist if you’re taking other medications. I’m unaware of any drug-herb interactions with diphenhydramine, but in theory, the drug may interact with the herb henbane (Hyoscyamus niger).5 Because the herb can be toxic, it should only be used by a skilled herbalist, if at all, so it is not found in most herbal formulations.
Claritin (loratadine). Used to reduce the effects of histamine in the body, Claritin primarily reduces symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, hives, or skin rashes. Some of the side effects can include headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness, abdominal pain, eye inflammation, flu-like symptoms, stomachache, earache, viral infection, impaired motor skills, and heart arrhythmias.6 Because food can slow the absorption of the drug, it is usually recommended to take the drug on an empty stomach. Like other antihistamines, loratadine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication, as it can increase the drowsiness caused by the drug.7
Zyrtec (cetirizine). Like other antihistamines, cetirizine is used to alleviate the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, and hives. Some of the side effects of this drug can include drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, abdominal pain, irritability, nervousness, aggressive reactions, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma.8 You may notice that the drug can cause some of the same symptoms it is used to treat. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.9
Decongestants
Decongestant drugs do exactly what you’d expect based on the name: they reduce congestion in the nose and sinuses by constricting blood vessels in these areas. The vasoconstriction reduces swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages, thereby making it easier to breathe. They are taken either in pill form or by nasal sprays or drops to target the nasal and sinus region. Although there are other types of decongestants, most are known as pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a synthetic, laboratory-derived version that is similar to the body’s own hormone adrenaline, which is also known as epinephrine.10 Ephedrine, which is available in prescription or nonprescription strengths, dilates the bronchi in the lungs, making it easier for asthmatics to breathe; pseudoephedrine is an OTC drug that has similar effects. Their brand names include Drixoral, Sudafed, Chlor-Trimeton, Suphedrin, and Suphedrine.
Some of the side effects of pseudoephedrine can include irregular or troubled heartbeat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hallucinations, seizures, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, headaches, increased sweating, weakness, trembling, nausea, vomiting, fast or pounding heartbeat, and difficult or painful urination.11
Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were originally derived from a plant known as ephedra, or by its scientific name, Ephedra gerardiana. The Chinese have been using this herb, which is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Ma Huang, for thousands of years. The plant is a highly effective decongestant with far fewer side effects than the drug versions; however, it is not available in many places. Regulatory officials state diet pill abuses, many of which included ephedra, as the reason. Although some companies definitely abused this herb for profit and there were consumers who took far more than the recommended dosages, I suspect that ephedrine and pseudoephedrine sales are in the billion-dollar range, giving the pharmaceutical industry a significant reason to lobby regulators against ephedra. The herb provides stiff competition for these synthetic drugs and has far fewer side effects, giving Big Pharma cause for concern. Although it may be difficult to obtain, I’ll share more information about the valuable allergy and decongestant herb ephedra in chapter 5.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are a family of drugs that are synthetic derivatives of the adrenal gland hormones cortisone or cortisol made by the body. The adrenal glands are two triangular-shaped glands that sit atop the kidneys in the abdominal area. While the natural hormones are needed to sustain life, the synthetic drugs used in the treatment of asthma and some serious allergies have serious side effects, some of which include thrush (a yeast infection of the mouth), weakness, acne, weight gain, mood or behavioral changes, bone loss, slowing of growth, eye changes, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia.12 They are available as inhalers to treat asthma, in topical forms to treat hives, or orally to address serious allergies. There are many names for corticosteroids, usually ending with the suffix -one, such as beclomethasone (brand names Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), fluticasone (brand names Flovent, Flonase), and triamcinolone (brand names Azmacort, Nasacort).
Allergy Shots/Immunotherapy
Allergy shots, or allergy vaccines or allergen immunotherapy as they are also known, are usually administered by vaccine once or twice a week. They are intended to desensitize the body to specific allergens. Each shot contains a minute amount of specific pollens, mold, dust, dander, bee venom, or other common allergen and is injected into the upper arm. Not only do they involve a significant time commitment to get a full course of treatment, but they can also be costly for those who do not have health care coverage for these treatments. Worse than that, they are painful and can cause serious reactions. This is particularly true for those people who tend to have life-threatening allergies, such as to bee venom. In some cases, allergy shots can cause the same allergic reactions they are used to treat. Allergy shots are intended to gradually increase your body’s tolerance to allergens. Some of the side effects of allergy shots include redness or