“My antihistamine makes me so sleepy.”
“This decongestant keeps me up all night!”
“My sister destroyed her nose with over-the-counter nasal sprays.”

To self-medicate or not to self-medicate … is that the question? Of 481 people with hay fever surveyed by the Allergy Respiratory Institute of Colorado in Denver, 92% reported ongoing self-medication, either with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. From a health point of view, this isn’t necessarily good news. In fact, if you take over-the-counter drugs for your allergies more than a few days a year, talk to your doctor about switching to prescription allergy medication. They’re quite a bit safer than what you can buy yourself over the counter.

It’s one thing to rely on nonprescription medications for quick relief a few days a year. It’s another thing entirely to use over-the-counter medication for days or weeks on end. Over-the-counter medication can effectively treat symptoms after exposure to an allergic trigger, like pollen. The side effects of over-the-counter medications can subtract from your quality of life, however, even when used properly. Carelessly taken over-the-counter medications can even worsen symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Feeling drowsy?

Over-the-counter antihistamines help relieve the sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and skin conditions (rashes and eczema) associated with allergies. Whichever form the antihistamine takes (spray, pill, drops, liquids) the side effects are pronounced. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) reports grogginess, slowed reaction time, and an uncomfortably dry mouth.

Are you confident that you function normally under the influence of antihistamines? Think again. When the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington reviewed research on antihistamine side effects, the results were scary. Up to two-thirds of individuals studied reported they felt perfectly capable of everyday activity, such as driving a car. Yet they all showed significantly impaired function and slowed reaction times. This suggests that people don’t realize how much antihistamines affect them.

Decongestants and dependency

Decongestants relieve stuffiness and pressure caused by swollen nasal tissue. While all decongestants can cause sleeplessness and insomnia, over-the-counter nasal spray decongestants can provoke a more serious addiction, and even cause permanent sinus damage.

Over-the-counter decongestant sprays change the normal congest/decongest cycle. Long-term use can cause rebound congestion. Nasal tissue begins to swell the minute the spray wears off, and decongest only in response to the spray. Internal cues are ignored, and the swelling gets worse after the spray wears off. To add to the problem, your body builds up a resistance to the decongestant, so you need more of it more often.

Before you swear off your over-the-counter decongestant spray, talk to your doctor. Long-term use can damage nasal tissues. The decongestant spray then hides the problem - until you stop using it. As a consequence, congestion related to decongestant nasal spray withdrawal can be severe. The ACAAI reports that you may need prescription corticosteroids to keep your nasal passages open during withdrawal.

The bottom line? Leave over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants to people with colds and flu. If you must use an over-the-counter medication (because you don’t have your prescription medication with you, for example) follow the package directions exactly, especially the part about discontinuing use and calling your doctor if symptoms persist.

According to the AAAAI, avoiding allergic triggers is the first step in controlling symptoms, and prescription allergy medication is the second. Talk to your health care provider about prescription allergy medications. The newer prescription antihistamines and decongestants are safer for long-term use than over-the-counter medication.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 18th, 2008 at 6:10 am and is filed under Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.