Prescription or non-prescription allergy medicine?

Are prescription or non-prescription allergy medications right for you?

Generally, the difference between prescription and non-prescription allergy medications is the overall time period that the medications work for to eliminate allergy symptoms. Over the counter medicines are generally short acting antihistamines and relieve mild to moderate symptoms; whereas prescription medications are generally longer acting, working for more extended time periods, and may relieve more severe allergy symptoms.

Anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions, require a medicine called epinephrine (also referred to as adrenalin), which can potentially be life saving when immediately injected.

Please check each individual specific medication for complete detailed information on side effects, dosage, directions, etc. Please see your physician or health care provider if you experience side effects from any medications you are taking.

Additionally, specific illnesses caused by allergies, such as [asthma] or [eczema], require other treatments and medications. Please see our Key to Understanding Asthma and our Key to Understanding Eczema pages for additional information.

By understanding how allergy medications work, you can be informed when you work with your doctor to develop your treatment plan that will work for you. If you think you might have allergies or are experiencing any allergy symptoms, please your doctor and discuss allergy medication options suitable for you.