Antihistamines are commonly used to help treat allergy symptoms but can also treat various conditions such as insect bites, motion sickness, or even to help with sleep. They reduce sneezing, a runny nose, skin rashes, or itching but are usually less effective for nasal congestion. Antihistamines are widely available over-the-counter in many pharmacies and shops, but some are only available on prescription. There are two types of antihistamines – first-generation (drowsy) and second-generation (non-drowsy). First-generation antihistamines are the first kind that were developed. They can make you sleepy and are useful if your allergy symptoms keep you up at night. They also help with travel or motion sickness. Common first-generation antihistamines include chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Cinnarizine is a drowsy antihistamine used to treat travel sickness (also known as motion sickness). It is suitable for adults and children aged five and above. This product is not FDA-approved in the US. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Bonine) is commonly used in the US for motion sickness and is available to buy over-the-counter. Cinnarizine is available as a tablet. It can be sucked, chewed, or swallowed whole with a glass of water. It is best to take cinnarizine after eating something to keep it from upsetting your stomach.

Diphenhydramine belongs to a family of medications called antihistamines. It is the active ingredient in medications used to treat short-term insomnia for ages 16 years and over. Diphenhydramine can also be found in oral formulations and creams used to relieve bites, stings, and allergic reactions, and in cold and flu preparations to aid with a runny nose and to aid sleep if symptoms are bothersome at nighttime. Diphenhydramine products are available to purchase from your pharmacy without a prescription.

Allergy tablets (also known as antihistamine tablets) are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in the body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. Antihistamines can be used to treat a range of conditions, including allergic reactions such as to dogs, motion sickness, and insomnia.

Antihistamines are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. They can be used to treat a range of conditions including allergic reactions, motion sickness and insomnia. However, the term "antihistamines" most commonly refers to medications that are used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines can be classified as sedating (drowsy) or non-sedating. With drowsy antihistamines, care should be exercised when driving or operating heavy machinery, and alcohol should be avoided. Below, Healthwords pharmacists will go into more detail about the different antihistamines and their side effects.

Fexofenadine is an antihistamine medication that helps with the symptoms of allergies. Fexofenadine is a second-generation histamine, which means it is less likely to cause drowsiness than some of the earlier antihistamines (known as first-generation). It is used to help with managing the symptoms of hay fever allergies, year-round allergies, and itchy skin rashes and hives. Antihistamines don’t cure these conditions but can often provide much-needed relief from unpleasant symptoms. Fexofenadine is available to purchase over–the–counter for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children aged 2 years and over. Different strengths and dosage forms are currently available.

Cetirizine is a non-drowsy antihistamine available from any pharmacy. Adults and children can relieve symptoms from a range of allergies, including pollen (hay fever), dust, animal dander, or in response to insect bites. It can also calm contact dermatitis and atopic eczema. Cetirizine relieves itching, sneezing, a runny nose, skin rash, and eye symptoms such as red, itchy, or watery. It is available in tablet, liquid gels, dissolvable tablets, and oral liquid forms. The branded version of cetirizine is Zyrtec. Even though cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause drowsiness in some people. If you do experience drowsiness, it is advised that you avoid driving or drinking alcohol.

Constant sneezes and a streaming nose can be common in the pollen season. If you suffer from hay fever, or allergic rhinitis in medical terms, you will feel desperate to rid yourself of the tissues and feeling of congestion. Our pharmacist has put together some solutions to ease your nasal symptoms with hay fever.

Hay fever tablets (also known as antihistamine tablets) are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in the body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. Antihistamines can be used to treat a range of conditions, including allergic reactions, motion sickness, and insomnia. However, the term "antihistamines" most commonly refers to medications that are used to treat hay fever. An array of hay fever products is available, so let our resident pharmacist take you through where to start and how to choose between them.

You may be a hay fever veteran or new to the season of sneezing and streaming. There’s an array of hay fever products available, so let our resident pharmacist take you through where to start and how to choose between them.

You know when the pollen season has arrived if you suffer from itchy, streaming eyes and they look red and puffy. It can be really uncomfortable, and you feel desperate for some relief. Our pharmacist has put together some remedies to help soothe your eyes and heal your eye symptoms.

Hives (also known as urticaria) is an itchy raised rash usually caused by a reaction to a trigger such as food, pollen, viral infection, insect bites, or chemicals. Antihistamine medication prevents the level of histamine from rising in the body and reduces the symptoms of hives. Most antihistamines are available over the counter, such as tablets, liquids, and creams.