TX
A female asked:
is it ok to take multiple types of antihistamines within a 24-hour period? nothing seems to work as long as advertised.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohan answered
Dermatology 57 years experience
DETAILS?????: What are you treating? Which antihistamines? How many of each? There are easy answers after the details are given. No answer is possible without this information. For chronic urticaria I may manage it with 10 or 20mg cetirizine (Zyrtec) in AM and hydroxyzine at bedtime. I never use Benadryl (diphenhydramine) except as a sleeping pill.
3281 views
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CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between first and second-generation antihistamines?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Stephen Kimura answered
Allergy and Immunology 35 years experience
Side effects: The second generation antihistamines were developed to try and decrease the side effects of the first generations. Many are "purified" first generation antihistamines so they have the active effects without the side effects of drowsiness, sedation, dry mouth etc. They also tend to have longer half lives, meaning they can be taken once or twice a day not every 4 hours.
6374 views
CA
A 39-year-old member asked:
Are there any prescription antihistamines?
2 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alex Martinez answered
Specializes in Allergy
A few: Antihistamines have been around for many years & many that used to be prescription are now available over-the-counter. A few antihistamines are still prescription, including some first-generation (sedating) medicines like periactin or palgic as well as second-generation (less-sedating) medicines like xyzal (levocetirizine) and clarinex.
6280 views
Dr. Maziar Rezvani commented
Allergy and Immunology 21 years experience
Hydroxyzine is still prescription as well
Nov 23, 2011
A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
Many prescription medications have antihistamine properties. Talk to your personal physician about which medications are right for you.
Jan 1, 2012
A 37-year-old member asked:
Is there any side effects when you take antihistamines for a longer period than a month?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Lee Perry answered
Allergy and Immunology 17 years experience
Unlikely: Antihistamines are generally safe to take for prolonged periods of time, as long as you're taking the proper dose. These medicines are notorious for causing drowsiness, although some over the counter antihistamines are non-drowsy.
5740 views
A 30-year-old member asked:
Do antihistamines actually improve allergic conditionsor just suppress symptoms?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Rosch answered
Allergy and Immunology 49 years experience
Antihistamines block: Antihistamines block the receptor sites for histamine released from mast cells or basophils in allergic reactions. As such they suppress symptoms to a variable amount. The only present treatment that can actually alter the allergic condition (diathesis) is immunotherapy (allergy injections).
5700 views
A 42-year-old member asked:
I wish to know what are the side effects of antihistamines?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Tomeo answered
Dermatology 38 years experience
Tiredness : Mostly they cause tiredness but if you have a prostate problem , be careful
don't drink and take benedry and don't drive or operate heavy machinery !
5564 views
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Last updated Jan 31, 2015
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