# non-antihistimine allergy cures? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 4, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234 "2009-11-04T01:12:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/21 "2009-11-04T16:37:12Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I think you want to work on your terminology a bit. > > First, there is no cure for allergies. The available medications are treatments for the symptoms, nothing more. It does nothing to alter the underlying causes. > > Second, the drowsiness issue has nothing to do with antihistamines specifically. It’s typically a side effect of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benedryl) a common ingredient in older allergy medications. What you want is a newer antihistamine, not a non-antihistamine. > > Allergies are largely characterized by a histamine response, avoiding antihistamines would miss the point. > > To the point, Claratin has been extremely effective in my experience against a fairly severe pet allergy. However it’s best used on a daily ongoing basis and it’s effectiveness in an on-demand basis is much less. There are many other antihistamines, besides diphenhydramine hydrochloride that cause sleepiness. Chlorpheniramine and doxylamine are but two. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/22 "2009-11-04T16:47:55Z")
If one is suffering chronic congestion, cough, etc folks should review their meds to see if they are on an ACE inhibitor, which is a common blood pressure/heart/diabetic medication. These pills, aka lisinopril, benzapril, enalapril, and other prils (lots of trade names) cause a buildup of histamine and this triggers allergic/congestive symptoms in about 20% (or more) of the people on them. If they’re annoying enough, switching from an ACE inhibitor to an ARB (diovan, cozaar, others)can solve the problem while still delivering the appropriate treatment. ARBs don’t cause histamine buildup like ACE inhibitors do. Talk to your doctor about it. ---
**Author:** ![Haunted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/898d66/32.png) [@Haunted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/23 "2009-11-04T17:33:04Z")
My allergies have been killing me lately. The sinus pressure and pain are the worst part. I have found a vaporizer to be very helpful with those symptoms. I use a small one that is easy to fill and rinse out and I put in enough baking soda to get lots of steam going. You might want to try using one whenever you are at home and while you’re sleeping. I also often use a plain saline nasal spray and that helps, too. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/24 "2009-11-04T20:43:42Z")
Thanks to everyone for a plethora of good advice. My problem is not so severe that I’d want to try anything by prescription, but will take a look at the other products suggested. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/25 "2009-11-04T20:50:12Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > If they’re annoying enough, switching from an ACE inhibitor to an ARB (diovan, cozaar, others)can solve the problem while still delivering the appropriate treatment. ARBs don’t cause histamine buildup like ACE inhibitors do. Talk to your doctor about it. What about beta-blockers, **Q**? ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/26 "2009-11-04T20:57:07Z")
My anecdotal experience with various antihistamines: Claritin works allright, but it doesn’t do anything against my worst seasonal allergies. I’ve never noticed any side effects, and it’s easily available in cheap bulk generic forms. I take it if I’m a bit sniffly but otherwise fine. Zyrtec is more effective against my moderate to bad allergy days, and personally I’ve never had any drowsiness or other side effects from it. It’s also available as a generic, though it’s maybe twice as expensive as the Claritin generic. It’s what I use daily during the allergy season. Heavy-duty, older antihistamines like diphenhydramine are very effective against even my worst allergies, but they can cause some pretty significant drowsiness for me. If I caffeinate and stay engaged with whatever I’m doing, I can go about my day pretty normally. But if I’m just lazing around the house on a weekend, I’ll pass out in short order in front of the TV or computer. IIRC, the drowsiness is an inherent property of antihistamines. There are histamine receptors in the brain, and when they’re blocked the result is drowsiness. The later generations of antihistamines were designed so they would not be able to cross the blood-brain barrier, so they don’t have the same side effects. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/27 "2009-11-04T21:19:28Z")
Question: I was told years ago (by a friend who was supposedly told by her doctor) that with continuous daily use, the drowsiness caused by Benadryl should abate. Any truth to that? ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/28 "2009-11-04T21:35:14Z")
abstinence. ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/29 "2009-11-04T21:48:03Z")
My friend swears that his chiropractor has cured his allergies. Used to be awful, sneezing, sinus problems, itchy eyes - \ - now, no problems. I didn’t laugh in his face, I think, but he swears it’s true. So, you could give that a try. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/30 "2009-11-04T22:07:13Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > Question: I was told years ago (by a friend who was supposedly told by her doctor) that with continuous daily use, the drowsiness caused by Benadryl should abate. Any truth to that? It did for me. When I was a youngster and the modern antihisimines weren’t invented, I lived on that stuff. And I was not particularly sleepy, except if I got tired out for any other reason, it seemed to hit me harder. But I do not remember how long took to get habituated (it may have been months or years) and YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/31 "2009-11-04T23:15:33Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > What about beta-blockers, **Q**? They don’t cause histamine buildup either. But they’re not an exact substitute for ACE inhibitors, as they don’t protect the kidneys the way they and ARBs do. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/32 "2009-11-05T00:22:48Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > Question: I was told years ago (by a friend who was supposedly told by her doctor) that with continuous daily use, the drowsiness caused by Benadryl should abate. Any truth to that? Waaaaaay back before the 2nd generation anti-histamines during the fall allergy season I was pretty much on Benadryl 24/7 for a couple months. Yes, after awhile I stopped being so drowsy. When I stopped taking it I would barely sleep for 3-4 days. So yes, you can build up a tolerance, at least in part, but if you’re taking Benadryl that often for that long you really need to see an allergist. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/33 "2009-11-05T01:48:59Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > They don’t cause histamine buildup either. But they’re not an exact substitute for ACE inhibitors, as they don’t protect the kidneys the way they and ARBs do. Cool, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/34 "2009-11-05T03:16:16Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Long time allergy sufferer checking in. I am not your doctor, I am not offering medical advice, or telling you want to do. The following is solely my opinion: > > **Allergy shots** are a pain (literally, but just a tiny one) and the treatment takes years to achieve the full effect, but for _most_ people they really do work to either reduce or eliminate the reaction. The downsides are that you need to go to an allergist, there is a time and money factor involved, they don’t work for everyone (just most people), and there is a small but real chance of a very serious reaction. > > **Neti pot** - I am yet another convert. Messy at first, it has really helped make a difference. I am taking fewer medications, breathing easier, and giving my husband a good laugh whenever he sees me using one. Humor is always good. > > **Zyrtec** - I don’t take it because the FAA doesn’t like it, and it makes me feel zoned-out. Not drowsy, just zoned-out. But a lot of people swear by it, and it’s long-acting. > > **Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)** - great decongestant. Downsides are that in most places you have to ask at the counter, show your driver’s license, and sign for it, and you’re limited in how much you can buy at once and per month. Can also raise your blood pressure, cause anxiety/nervousness, disrupted sleep, dizziness, and not good for people with heart problems. > > **Ephedra** - the herbal form of pseudoephedrine. Hard to find in many places, banned in others, dosage is much less consistent, same side effects apply and I recommend the commercially produced pills just because it’s easier to predict the effects and what you’re getting. > > **Loratidine (Claritin)** - Non-sedating anti-histamine. I find it most useful to take it BEFORE I have a reaction, and daily use makes it more effective as other posters havenoted. > > **Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)** - The old stand-by. If you wind up in the emergency room with a life-threatening allergic reaction one of the things they do is give you 50 mg of this stuff right at the start. It’s good at knocking back those reactions. It’s also good at knocking people out. In fact, it’s so good at it, it’s also sold as an over the counter sleep aid. Don’t drive under the influence, please. If you have a BAD reaction this is still the best, in my opinion, but I’d prefer to avoid needing it in the first place. > > \*\*Fexofenadine (Allegra) \*\*- I have never taken this that I recall, so I have no opinion. Excellent post, I agree almost completely based on my own experience. My own post-scripts: Allergy Shots - worked great for me from ages 7 through 12. Minor pain in having to visit the clinic once a week. I am almost tempted to go this route again as an adult. Neti Pot - I’m a convert, too. Cleared up a wicked sinus infection for me. Cheap, easy, safe. Everyone should try this. Zyrtec - my “go-to” OTC allergy medicine. Works ok. No side effects for me. Expensive though, even with generics (like $1 per dose) Loratidine - I took this for years. Low to medium effectiveness. Getting pretty cheap these days. No side effects. Zyrtec works better, but costs more. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - either does nothing (when I take 1 dose) or works excellently (when I take 2 doses). 1 dose has no side effects, 2 doses puts me to sleep. Can’t use when I work (lab/factory). Allegra - never tried it ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/35 "2009-11-05T03:24:13Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > Question: I was told years ago (by a friend who was supposedly told by her doctor) that with continuous daily use, the drowsiness caused by Benadryl should abate. Any truth to that? You should look and see if there are any studies that show a declining degreeing effectiveness for people who take PM versions of pain meds (tylenol, advil etc), given that the bendryl in them is what provides the “non-addictive” sleep aid. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/36 "2009-11-05T07:01:00Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Zyrtec - my “go-to” OTC allergy medicine. Works ok. No side effects for me. Expensive though, even with generics (like $1 per dose) Stop saying that!!! I was just at Costco this afternoon and I verified the information that I posted above just in case anybody challenged me on it. $15.95 for 365 (yes, that’s _three hundred and sixty-five_) 10 mg. tablets of cetirizine. Or if you don’t want to schlep all the way to Costco or you don’t live near one or you’re not a member or if they offend your sensibilities for some reason then you can just get it from [amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022UJ5UM) for a few bucks more. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/37 "2009-11-05T07:08:40Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Stop saying that!!! I was just at Costco this afternoon and I verified the information that I posted above just in case anybody challenged me on it. $15.95 for 365 (yes, that’s _three hundred and sixty-five_) 10 mg. tablets of cetirizine. Or if you don’t want to schlep all the way to Costco or you don’t live near one or you’re not a member or if they offend your sensibilities for some reason then you can just get it from [amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022UJ5UM) for a few bucks more. ok, ok, fair enough. I could get it cheaper. I probably should get smarter about buying it. But I really only need it like three months out of the year - so I typically don’t go about the smartest buying techniques. Usually it’s just pick Wal-Zyr off the shelf and go. A years worth though? What is the shelf-life of Cetrizine? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/38 "2009-11-05T07:18:19Z")
Cool, dry place away from pets and hobgoblins? Probably about 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/39 "2009-11-05T07:21:38Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Cool, dry place away from pets and hobgoblins? Probably about 15 years. Hmm, and with hobgoblins? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234/40 "2009-11-05T08:01:29Z")
Depends on if the little bastards are allergic to your cat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-antihistimine-allergy-cures/516234.md?page=3)