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We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell Family / Jessica Juliao From pets to pollen, allergies are the worst. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to avoid the stuff you’re allergic to. To get your watery eyes, runny nose, and all other symptoms under control, you may benefit from a reliable over-the-counter allergy medicine. Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but they each have different active ingredients with some possibly inducing drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. “The best allergy medications are antihistamines,” says
Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network. We looked at age recommendations, medicine formats, value, symptoms, and different types of antihistamines when reviewing products. What to Look for in OTC Allergy MedicinesType of AntihistamineThe antihistamine Cetirizine Hydrochloride found in GoodSense All Day Allergy can treat indoor and outdoor symptoms and is safe for children 6 years old and up with a 10-milligram tablet limit per day. However, it is important to note this antihistamine may cause drowsiness so keep that in mind if you are treating yourself or your child before school or work. There’s also fexofenadine, found in Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief, which is the non-drowsy component that won’t put you to sleep. Children over the age of 12 and adults can take one 180-milligram tablet per day but should be on the lookout for side effects, like dizziness or nausea. According to Laura Chong, MD, board-certified allergist of the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, “the main side effect to be on the lookout for is [drowsiness] since it can cross the blood-brain barrier.” Medicine FormatDr. Chong says there are many different ways antihistamines can be used. “Antihistamines can be used in the forms of pills (mostly over the counter), nasal sprays (prescription only), and in various eye drops (both over the counter and prescription),” she says. “The antihistamine nasal spray can be used down to age 6 while the oral medications (liquid form) and eye drops with some products can be used down to age 2.” Depending on which method of antihistamine you decide to use, they each offer relief from those pesky allergy symptoms.
SymptomsIf you are one of the millions who suffer from allergies, you've more than likely experienced the draining symptoms that come with them. “Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy/red/watery eyes, congestion of the ears, postnasal drainage, sinus pain/pressure, headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing,” says Dr. Chong. Sometimes, over-the-counter medications won’t tackle your allergies, and that’s when it’s best to see an allergist. Some signs that indicate you should see an allergist are if your symptoms are causing you to have difficulty breathing, your ability to carry on your daily life is interfered with due
to asthma or allergies, and tightness in your chest. Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve rounded up the best over-the-counter allergy medications for the entire family.  Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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Who else recommends it? Women's Health, Forbes, and BestReviews all picked Allegra Antihistamine Tablets. What do buyers say? 87% of 15,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars. The Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief easily tops our list thanks to the medicine's quick-acting formula to tackle your allergy symptoms any time of the day. When it comes to treating allergies, there's one ingredient that is head and shoulders above the rest: antihistamines. If your eyes are starting to itch or your nose is running, the antihistamine in the Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief can help make you feel better in as little as one hour. Beyond the pill’s record-breaking relief, it includes fexofenadine, a special non-drowsy antihistamine ingredient that won’t affect your energy levels. All in all, it’s great to know that this medicine can provide 24 hours of relief, for both indoor and outdoor allergies, without getting in the way of your day. Price at time of publish: $39 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Fexofenadine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 12 years old and up Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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If your allergies are all over the place, the Zyrtec Prescription-Strength Allergy Medicine Tablets were made for you because it’s effective in treating indoor and outdoor allergies. You can also count on it to come through with long-lasting 24-hour relief. Zyrtec helps to relieve itchy, red, watery eyes, sneezing and runny, itchy nose, postnasal drip, and itching from hives, so the most common allergy symptoms can be alleviated. Price at time of publish: $43 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine (antihistamine)| Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up What the Experts Say“I would avoid decongestants as they can cause rebound symptoms, long term side effects, and are addictive. Examples of decongestants are any allergy med that includes ‘D’ for example, Zyrtec D has a decongestant and plain Zyrtec doesn’t and is okay to use long-term."- Dr. Purvi Parikh, Allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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Don’t worry, Zyrtec looks out for the little ones in your family, too. Children’s Zyrtec is recommended for kids as young as 2 years old and even though it’s made without sugar, parents confirmed that kids actually like the taste. Only one dose is required daily making the process extra easy, and on top of that, Zyrtec has an app called AllergyCast that can track symptoms and show how certain factors, like weather, can affect childrens' allergies. Price at time of publish: $7 Type: Liquid | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 2 years old and up Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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Claritin’s 24-Hour Allergy Reditabs are powerful and can relieve you of symptoms from over 200 allergens. Whether it’s mold, dust, or anything else floating around, Claritin won’t let any of it bother you. It’s the ultimate protection and you can take them any time because these tablets won’t put you to sleep as they’re reportedly the number one doctor-recommended, non-drowsy oral allergy brand. To make things even more convenient, you should know that you don’t even need water to take this medicine. The tablets will melt in your mouth like butter and they apparently dissolve three times faster than other similar products. And, taking Claritin during pregnancy is typically safe, but don't forget to check with a doctor first. Price at time of publish: $30 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Loratadine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Pros
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If liquid medicines or swallowing pills aren’t your thing, you’ll want to consider taking care of your allergies with a nasal spray. Nasacort is supposed to tackle sneezing, a runny and itchy nose, and nasal allergy congestion with one to two sprays per nostril once daily (depending on your age). You can even tackle children's allergies since it’s safe for children ages 2 and up, but you’ll want to consult with your child’s pediatrician first to be sure. Price at time of publish: $35 Type: Nasal | Active Ingredient: Triamcinolone acetonide (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 2 years old and up Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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GoodSense All Day Allergy can handle anything. Unlike most allergy medicines, this one, in particular, has the active ingredient Cetirizine Hydrochloride, an antihistamine that can properly treat a variety of indoor and outdoor symptoms. From sneezing to an itchy throat and watery eyes, you can count on GoodSense and you’ll even have enough to last you a full year as there are 365 tablets in each bottle. Price at time of publish: $14 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine Hydrochloride (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up
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Itchy, red eyes are a common reaction to allergies, but luckily, this problem can quickly be solved with proper eye drops. The highly recommended Alcon Naphcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops are a reliable option as the formula combines a redness reliever and an antihistamine ingredient to bring your eyes back to normal. Price at time of publish: $16 Type: Eyedrop | Active Ingredient: Pheniramine maleate (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: Not Listed Pros
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For a more natural approach to kissing those allergies goodbye, check out Genexa, a chewable table made of homeopathic ingredients. Genexa is supposed to tackle more than 10 common allergy symptoms, like runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure. It’s safe for children ages 3 and up, and the tablet must be chewed, not swallowed. Price at time of publish: $14 Type: Tablet (chewable) | Active Ingredient: Wyethia Helenoides and more (non-antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 3 years old and up Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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Have you had a long day? Do you want to just sleep right away and forget about your allergies? The Extra Strength Benadryl Allergy Nighttime Caplets can make that happen. It can instantly put you to sleep and treat your common allergies and cold symptoms at the same time. Get ready for some uninterrupted slumber and by the next morning, you’ll feel as good as new. Price at time of publish: $13 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Diphenhydramine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Courtesy of Amazon Pros
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No matter how much you love your furry friends, life isn’t going to be easy if you’re allergic to them. You can give yourself some relief by taking the Xyzal Allergy Relief Tablets that were made to alleviate symptoms associated with animal dander allergies. Unless you’re willing to get rid of your pet, many say this is the only thing that works. Additionally, Parikh suggests “keeping the pet out of your bedroom and getting a HEPA air purifier.” Price at time of publish: $29 Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Why Trust Verywell FamilyAs a seasoned health writer, Isis Briones knows the importance of finding products that work best for you and your conditions. You can count on her to always provide a variety of recommendations from licensed medical professionals because she has tested and reviewed tons of products over the years to know everyone is different. Additional reporting by Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey has been a news and feature writer for more than six years with experience at KFOR-TV and BabyGaga.com. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. What allergy medicine helps with sore throat?Antihistamines. Antihistamines can be used as sore throat medications and can help stop or even prevent an itchy throat. These medications work by blocking histamine release in the body, which is a chemical that can cause allergic reactions.
Can allergies cause stuffy nose and sore throat?Yes. “Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes and nose, and runny nose are the most common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies,” says Dr. Simpson. “But sore throat can also be added to that list, often caused by what's referred to as "postnasal drip."
Will Claritin get rid of sore throat?If your sore throat is due to allergies and post-nasal drip, you can try over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin.
What's the best allergy medicine for stuffy nose?Nasal steroids are a type of nose spray and are often the first drugs recommended for allergies. They're a powerful way to fight stuffiness because they get to the root of the problem.. Beclomethasone (Beconase). Fluticasone (Flonase). Mometasone (Nasonex). Triamcinolone (Nasacort). |
Best allergy medicine for stuffy nose and sore throat
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