Allergy Medicines That Can Have Dangerous Side Effects

“Any decongestant will raise blood pressure, possibly causing an increase in heart arrhythmias,” says Kevin McGrath, M.D., an allergist in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and a spokesperson for

the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. People with glaucoma or hyperthyroidism should also avoid decongestants, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taken too late in the day, 

decongestants can make it difficult to fall asleep. They can also lead to nervousness and a jittery or shaky feeling, McGrath says. While usually found in cold medicines, phenylephrine and

pseudoephedrine are in some allergy products, as well. “In general, avoid anything that has a D in its name, like Zyrtec-D, since it has a decongestant added,” Niznik says. Allegra-D and

Claritin-D are two other examples of allergy medicines that contain both a decongestant and an antihistamine. Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin don’t carry the same risks as their pill

counterparts, but you do need to limit their use since they can cause rebound congestion, or constant stuffiness, if used too often.  WHAT TO TAKE INSTEAD NASAL STEROID SPRAYS. These are

actually the first line of treatment for people with seasonal allergies, and studies show they can be even more effective than oral antihistamines. Three that McGrath recommends are Nasacort

AQ and Rhinocort Aqua (both require a prescription), and Flonase Sensimist, an over-the-counter product. To maximize effectiveness, use them the right way: Be sure to spray slightly to

the outside of the nostril. “Use the right hand to spray up the left nostril and the left hand to spray up the right nostril,” McGrath says. “You do not want to spray into the middle of

your nose, the septum, as this causes increased risk of nosebleeds and irritation.” CERTAIN OVER-THE-COUNTER ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES. If a nasal steroid spray isn’t enough, you can pair it with

an over-the-counter antihistamine.  McGrath’s first choice for older adults is Allegra 180 mg. “It’s nonsedating as it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it doesn't cause any

drowsiness,” he explains. If you don’t have that on hand, he suggests Xyzal, which he says is less sedating than other brands. ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY. These are regular injections over a

period of time — generally around three to five years — to stop or reduce allergy attacks. Each allergy shot contains a minuscule amount of what you’re allergic to, to stimulate your immune

system. Over time, your doctor increases the dose of allergens in each shot to help get your body used to the allergens so that your symptoms diminish. While it’s normally thought of as a

treatment for kids, it can be extremely effective in older adults, too. In fact, a 2016 study published in the _Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology_ found that immunotherapy reduced

symptoms by 55 percent in adults ages 65 to 75 after three years of therapy and decreased the amount of medication patients needed to take by almost two-thirds.