Doctor warns you should never mix antihistamines with these common medications ahead of hay fever season
With spring on the horizon, millions of people across the UK will start taking antihistamines for hay fever 🤧
- Antihistamines relieve the symptoms of allergies, including hay fever.
- With spring on the horizon, millions of people across the UK will start taking antihistamines for hay fever.
- Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director of Midland Health, reveals the medications you shouldn’t mix with antihistamines.
With spring on the horizon, for the millions of people across the UK who live with hay fever, it marks the beginning of itchy, watery eyes, as well as coughs and sneezes.
To help ease the symptoms, many will turn to antihistamines to offer relief from the side effects. Most can be bought from pharmacies and shops; however, some antihistamines are only available on prescription.
They can come with side effects, and some may interact with other medications or not be suitable to mix with alcohol or anything that could make you drowsy.
Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director of Midland Health, is warning patients about the dangers of mixing antihistamines alongside other medications.
Dr Parmar said: “My advice is always to double-check which medications interact with one another. This goes for any medicines, not just antihistamines. Ensure you read the information booklet, or even easier, talk to a pharmacist who can inform you on which medications you can take together.”
What medication should not be taken with antihistamines?
Dr Parmar has warned that antihistamines can react poorly with other medications, causing uncomfortable but avoidable side effects. To help patients be aware of the dangers, she has outlined the three types of antihistamines and the medications you should not mix them with.
Drowsy antihistamines
Known as first-generation antihistamines, some allergy medications can cause drowsiness, sleepiness, reduced alertness, blurred vision, or difficulty urinating.
They can react poorly and cause extreme side effects when used alongside other sedating medications like sleeping pills, certain antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and cough and cold medicines that already contain antihistamines.
It’s also important not to drink alcohol when taking them, as this greatly increases the sedative effects. You should also avoid driving with any medication that causes drowsiness.
Non-drowsy antihistamines
Most antihistamines are second-generation, which are less likely to cause sleepiness and are preferable for daily use. Non-drowsy antihistamines have fewer interactions than drowsy ones, with common side effects including headaches, nausea, and a dry mouth. If you take antacids for indigestion or stomach ulcers, some can interfere with how well the medication is absorbed in the digestive tract, making it less effective.
Decongestants
Decongestant antihistamines target both allergy and cold symptoms. They can increase heart rate and blood pressure, so they shouldn’t be used with medications that do the same.
They can also decrease the effectiveness of blood pressure medications, including beta blockers, and stimulant medications, usually used for ADHD. They can also cause interactions with caffeine, other stimulants, and cough and cold medications.
Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid issues, diabetes, or an enlarged prostate should consult a doctor before using decongestants, as they can make the condition worse.
With hay fever season around the corner, you can find out about antihistamines, side effects and who can take antihistamines safely at NHS.UK.