Don't let allergies get you down!
Treating your allergies with OTC Drugs
Allergic rhinitis can be a problem for people year round with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstructions, itchy eyes, cough, and post-nasal drip.
Besides prescription medications, many over the counter (OTC) options are available to help ease these symptoms. Below you’ll find information about the different types of OTC medications for allergies.
Please consult with your doctor before using any of these medications as they may affect how your other medications work when taken together and can cause problems (drug interaction).
| Medicine Type | Brand Names | Use |
| Antihistamines | Allegra, Benadryl, Clarinex, Claritin, Zyrtec | Itchy rashes and eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes |
| Antihistamine with Decongestants | Claritin-D, Allegra- D, Clarinex-D, Zyrtec-D | Stuffy nose and congestion, itchy rashes and eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes |
| Antihistamine/decongestant/pain relief | Advil cold and sinus, Comtrex Day/Night, Tylenol Allergy Sinus | Headaches, stuffy nose and congestion, itchy rashes and eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes |
| Antihistamine Eye Drops | Alaway, Visine-A, Opcon A, Naphcon A, Zaditor | Itchy, red, and watery eyes |
| Cromolyn Sodium Nasal Spray | Nasalcrom/Cromolyn Nasal Spray | Itchy and runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing |
| Decongestant Nasal Spray | Flonase, Rhinocort, Nasacort | Stuffy nose |
| Decongestants | Contac, Genaphed, Sudafed, Nexafed | Stuffy nose and congestion |
Where can I get additional information regarding OTC medication for allergies?
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how to take these medications, side effects, when to stop taking the medication, and how often to take them. If your symptoms don’t get better after taking OTC medications, talk to your doctor about prescription medication options.
Are these covered by my health plan?
Your health insurance plan does not cover over the counter medications for allergies.