The best allergy medicine depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, but experts generally recommend the following options:
- Nasal steroid sprays (e.g., Flonase) are considered the most effective for persistent or severe allergy symptoms. They reduce inflammation but may take up to two weeks to reach full effect
- Oral antihistamines are effective for many allergy symptoms and can be taken daily to prevent symptoms. Popular OTC antihistamines include:
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) : Works quickly and is effective but may cause some drowsiness
* **Allegra (fexofenadine)** : May work better for eye-related symptoms and is less sedating than Zyrtec
* **Claritin (loratadine)** : Slightly less effective for some people but causes less drowsiness than Zyrtec
* **Xyzal (levocetirizine)** : Similar to Zyrtec, may help with sneezing and nasal itching
- Intranasal antihistamine sprays (e.g., Astepro/azelastine) act faster than oral antihistamines and may be more effective for nasal symptoms like congestion
- Decongestants (e.g., Sudafed/pseudoephedrine) provide quick relief of nasal congestion but should not be used for more than 7 days due to side effects like increased blood pressure
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is effective but more sedating and generally recommended for short-term use
In summary, for long-term and severe allergy control, nasal steroid sprays like Flonase are best. For quick relief and daily prevention, non-drowsy oral antihistamines such as Allegra, Zyrtec, or Claritin are commonly used, with Allegra often preferred for eye symptoms and Zyrtec for faster action but with some sedation risk
. Always consult a healthcare provider to choose the safest and most effective option for your specific needs.
