by Rebecca Webb, PharmD     Pharmacy Clinical Services Manager, K-VA-T Food Stores

There are several types of over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat seasonal allergies.

Oral antihistamines
These medications help relieve the symptoms of sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes.
    Examples include:
    • loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)
    •  cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy)
    •  fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy)

Oral and nasal decongestants
These medications help relieve nasal stuffiness. Nasal decongestants should only be used for a few days in a row. Decongestants should be used with caution in patients with high blood pressure.
    Examples include:
    •  pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)- oral
    •  oxymetazoline (Afrin)- nasal spray
    •  phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)- nasal spray

Combination medications
Some medications combine an antihistamine with a decongestant.
    Examples include:
    •   loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)
    •   fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D)

Nasal steroid sprays
These medications help relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Certain precautions apply to nasal steroid sprays.  Please consult your local Food City Pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about these medications.
    Examples include:
    •  Flonase
    •  Nasacort Allergy 24HR

***Always review package information for directions and safety before taking any medication.  Consult your local Food City Pharmacist for additional information concerning seasonal allergy treatment.***