Allergy Medicine That Won't Make You Sleepy
Allergies can be a real nuisance, but finding the right allergy medicine can be even more challenging. While many allergy medicines on the market are effective at relieving allergy symptoms, they often come with side effects such as drowsiness and fatigue. For those who need to stay alert and focused throughout the day, these side effects can be a major problem. Fortunately, there are several allergy medicines available that won't make you sleepy. In this article, we'll take a closer look at these medicines and how they work.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a common type of allergy medicine that work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical that your body produces in response to allergens. While many antihistamines can cause drowsiness, there are some that are less likely to make you sleepy. These include:
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)
These antihistamines are known as "second-generation" antihistamines, and they are less likely to cause drowsiness because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily as older antihistamines. This means that they are less likely to affect your central nervous system and cause drowsiness.
Nasal Steroids
Nasal steroids are another type of allergy medicine that can help relieve allergy symptoms without making you sleepy. These medicines work by reducing inflammation in your nasal passages, which can help alleviate congestion, sneezing, and other allergy symptoms. Some examples of nasal steroids include:
- Fluticasone (Flonase)
- Mometasone (Nasonex)
- Budesonide (Rhinocort)
Like second-generation antihistamines, nasal steroids are less likely to cause drowsiness because they do not enter your bloodstream as easily as other types of allergy medicines. Instead, they work locally in your nasal passages to reduce inflammation and relieve your symptoms.
Leukotriene Inhibitors
Leukotriene inhibitors are a newer type of allergy medicine that work by blocking leukotrienes, chemicals that your body produces in response to allergens. By blocking leukotrienes, these medicines can help reduce inflammation and relieve allergy symptoms. Examples of leukotriene inhibitors include:
- Montelukast (Singulair)
- Zafirlukast (Accolate)
- Zileuton (Zyflo)
Leukotriene inhibitors are generally well-tolerated and do not cause drowsiness as a side effect. However, they are not as effective at relieving allergy symptoms as some other types of allergy medicines, so they may not be the best choice for everyone.
Decongestants
Decongestants are another type of allergy medicine that can help relieve congestion and other allergy symptoms. These medicines work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nasal passages, which can help reduce swelling and congestion. Examples of decongestants include:
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
Decongestants can have some side effects, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, so they should be used with caution in people with certain medical conditions. However, they do not generally cause drowsiness as a side effect.
Conclusion
If you suffer from allergies but need to stay alert and focused throughout the day, there are several allergy medicines that can help. Antihistamines, nasal steroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and decongestants are all effective at relieving allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness. By working with your doctor, you can find the right allergy medicine for your needs and start enjoying life without the burden of allergy symptoms.