Allergy Medications

Mast Cell Stabilizers

Mast cell stabilizers can be used to treat mild to moderate inflammation in the bronchial tubes and other symptoms of allergic reactions. These medications can also be used to prevent asthma symptoms during exercise and can be given before exposure to an allergen when it cannot be avoided.

Mast cell stabilizers are available as inhalers for asthma, eyedrops for allergic conjunctivitis and nasal sprays for nasal allergy symptoms. Like many drugs it may take several weeks before the full effects are felt.

Some examples of mast cell stabilizers include:

• Intal
• Tilade
• Crolom
• Alomide
• Alocril
• Opticrom
• Alamast
• Nasalcrom

How Do Mast Cell Stabilizers Work?

Mast cell stabilizers work by stopping the release of histamine from mast cells (cells that make and store histamine). Some of these drugs also have important anti-inflammatory effects.

What Are the Side Effects?

Throat irritation, coughing or skin rashes sometimes can occur with inhaled treatment. Some people say that Tilade has a bad taste. Using a spacer to take the medicine and drinking juice following treatment may decrease the taste. Eye drops may cause burning, stinging or blurred vision.

Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers are used to treat asthma and nasal allergy symptoms. They can be prescribed along with other medications.

These medications are available only with a doctor's prescription and come as pills, chewable tablets, and oral granules.

The brand names include:

• Accolate
• Singulair
• Zyflo

How Do They Work?

Leukotriene modifiers block the effects of leukotrienes, chemicals produced in the body in response to an allergy.

What Are the Side Effects?

• Stomach pain or stomach upset
• Heartburn
• Fever
• Stuffy nose
• Cough
• Rash
• Headache

Other Over-The-Counter Medications

• Salt-water solution, or saline, is available as a nasal spray to relieve mild congestion, loosen mucus, and prevent crusting. These sprays contain no medicine.
• Artificial tears, which also contain no medicine, are available to treat itchy, watery, and red eyes.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, may be the most effective form of treatment if you suffer from  allergies more than three months of the year. These shots expose you to gradually increasing levels of the offending allergen to help your immune system build tolerance. See our full article on allergy shots for more information.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.

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