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A member asked:
Are there any long term effects from taking otc allergy medicine on a regular basis?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
No: In fact, if you have year-round allergies, regular use of otc allergy medicines (zyrtec, claritin, (loratadine) and Allegra are all non-sedating, once-daily medations) could significantly improve your quality of life! watch out for you system becoming used to the effect of a medicine -- you may need to alternate, say, zyrtec and Allegra every 2 months to preserve the allergy-symptom-relieving effects.
Answered 10/4/2016
5.4k views
No but why: Rather than commit to taking medications regularly, see an allergist to identify why you need to take medications long term. Avoidance measures can be useful if the trigger is known. Nasal steroid sprays are more effective than antihistamines and allergy injections can control symptoms long term even after the injections are discontinued and allow less medication use.
Answered 9/28/2016
5.4k views
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