Nasal Steroids
These are drugs you spray into your nose. They relieve congestion, a runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and other symptoms.
Some steroid sprays require a doctor’s prescription, but two of them, fluticasone (Flonase) and triamcinolone (Nasacort), do not. It’s best to start using them before pollen season begins and to keep taking them as long as it lasts. It may take up to a week before your symptoms get better.
Antihistamines
These drugs work against the chemical histamine. Your body makes histamine during an allergic reaction, and it causes the symptoms that make you miserable.
Antihistamines are available in pills and nasal sprays. The pills target itching, sneezing, and runny nose. The nasal sprays work on congestion, an itchy or runny nose, and postnasal drip.
Some over-the-counter pills can fight your symptoms for longer. They include:
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)
Others can make you feel drowsy, such as:
Brompheniramine (Dimetapp allergy, Nasahist B)
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
Clemastine (Tavist)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
You’ll need a prescription to get other types of antihistamines in a nasal spray, including
Azelastine (Astelin)
Azelastine/Fluticasone (Dymista)
Olopatadine (Patanase)
Decongestants
These drugs unclog your stuffy nose. You can take some types as pills or liquids, like pseudoephedrine. Others come in a nasal spray, like oxymetazoline and phenylephrine.
Don't use the decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3 days in a row, or you might get rebound congestion, which means you get congested all over again.
Remember that decongestants can also cause problems, including increased heart rate and blood pressure. If you have heart problems or high blood pressure, you shouldn’t take them. If you have a prostate problem that makes it hard to urinate, these drugs can make it worse. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first to see if a decongestant will work for you.
Allegra-D, Claritin-D, and Zyrtec-D have both an antihistamine and the decongestant pseudoephedrine.
