The Best Over-the-Counter Allergy Medications of 2023, According to Allergists (2023)

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergies refer to a "chronic condition involving an abnormal reaction to a normally harmless substance called an allergen." If that sounds vague, it's because allergens and reactions to those allergens are incredibly diverse.

Allergens may include aeroallergens (such as house dust mites, mold, tree brush and grass pollens),EssenAllergens (such as milk, egg, soy, wheat, tree nuts, etc.)fishproteins), animal dander, latex, certain medications andinsect bites. The allergy skin test is an effective and accurate method of determining allergic sensitivities.

When you are allergic to a specific allergen, your body mistakes that harmless substance (such as pollen) for a harmful invader and triggers your immune system to produce Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to protect your body from the invader. These antibodies cause your cells to release histamine and other chemicals, causing an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:

• itching (in the nose, gums, throat, or eyes)
• To sneeze
• Stuffy nose (congestion)
• running nose
• teary eyes
• dark circles under the eyes
• For food allergies: vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing or even anaphylaxis

For our ranking, we only included drugs that treat the symptoms of aeroallergens.

There are several ways to combat uncomfortable allergy symptoms, including:

• Medicines:Several medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, treat allergy symptoms effectively and safely. Different types of medications treat allergy symptoms in different ways, from reducing inflammation to preventing the body from releasing histamines.
• Immunotherapeutic treatments:These treatments consist of giving the patient an allergy shot or a sublingual immunotherapy tablet (SLIT) dosed with the allergen to gradually reduce their sensitivity to it. With allergy shots, you need three to six months of injections with increasing doses of the allergen to develop immunity or tolerance. Once you reach an effective dose, you can expect to receive an injection every two to four weeks. Allergen immunotherapy can reduce the need for medications to control symptoms.

Over-the-counter allergy medications use a variety of methods to control symptoms. Three of the most common types of over-the-counter allergy medications are:

• Corticosteroids:This type of over-the-counter allergy medication works by preventing swelling and inflammation. It is applied through nasal spray and treats nasal allergies. Corticosteroids are Dr. Passer, while they primarily help with postnasal congestion and drainage, can also help with itchiness and sneezing, she says.

"They work by soothing the sensitive tissues in your sinuses by coating them with the best anti-inflammatory medications," says Dr. passport. "As a result, when you're exposed to allergens, these tissues remain calm, cool and in control and don't overreact with swelling and producing a lot of mucus."

In fact, one study confirms that corticosteroids are superior to antihistamines in treating allergies. In the study, 88 patients with ragweed allergy were given corticosteroids or antihistamines. After four weeks, the steroid nasal spray group reported far fewer allergy symptoms than the antihistamine group.^[2]Steroids are more effective than antihistamines when used as needed for allergies.. University of Chicago Medical Center. Consulted on 05/13/2021..

• Antihistamines:Many well-known brands are antihistamines, which treat allergies by blocking histamine, the cause of allergic inflammation. Antihistamines can treat both indoor and seasonal allergies and are available in a variety of application methods, from pills to nasal sprays. Studies confirm that antihistamines are effective in relieving itchiness caused by the release of histamines^[3]Randall KL, Hawkins CA.Antihistamines and allergy. Aust Prescr. 2018;41(2):41-45..
• Decongestants:This common type of over-the-counter allergy medication reduces nasal congestion by shrinking the inflamed membranes in the nose. But be warned: with repeated use, decongestants have been known to clog the nose and make swelling worse.

"Used correctly, nasal steroids are just as good for congestion," says Dr. passport.

When determining which type of over-the-counter allergy medication is right for you, consider your worst allergy symptoms.

"There's a lot of overlap between the different categories, but simply put, antihistamines are better for itchy and runny nose and help with itchy eyes," says Dr. passport. “Nose sprays are best for post nasal congestion and drainage, but they also help a lot with itching and decongestants help with congestion. Over-the-counter eye drops are best for eye symptoms.

“I don't think there is a distinction between the categories of pollen medication and, for example, indoor allergens like dust or pollen.dog shed", he adds. "It's really the same process in the body, it just comes from different sources."

Based on our review, over-the-counter allergy medications vary significantly in price. Costs ranged from about $0.50 for an antihistamine pill to nearly $20 for a monthly supply of nasal spray.

Our ranking of the best over-the-counter allergy remedies didn't include the plethora of generic versions with the same active ingredients as many brand-name products. Generic products (like CVS's own brands, Walgreens, Amazon and more) are subject to the same FDA regulations as branded products, making them just as effective as their branded counterparts but at a lower price.

For example, if you find that Claritin is an antihistamine that works for you, consider a generic version of loratadine (the main active ingredient in Claritin) as a less expensive alternative.

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