JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's that time of year when you might be sneezing and sniffling. Is it allergies or a cold? Do you need a prescription or will an over the counter medicine do the trick?
Your pharmacist can be your best friend when it comes to advice if you're not quite ready to go to the doctor. We talked with Gary Roberts who owns Roberts South Bank Pharmacy and here's his advice.
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If you have a runny nose or other allergy symptoms try this an Antihistamine. These drugs are available without a prescription.
First Generation:
Brompheniramine: Dimetapp, Bromphen, Dimetane, Nasahist
Chlorpheniramine:Chlor-Trimeton
Clemastine: Allerhist, Tavist
Diphenhydramine: Benadryl
Second Generation: Do not cause drowsiness or cause less drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines.
Loratadine: Claritin
Cetirizine: Zyrtec
Fexofenadine: Allegra
Before you drive a car or operate machinery, be sure to know if the antihistamine affects your ability to concentrate and stay awake. Also check with a health-care provider before taking an antihistamine if you are unsure whether or not it will be appropriate for you.
Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays also help and these options are available with a prescription only:
Beclomethasone; Qnasl, Beconase, Vancenase
Budesonide; Flunisolide Nasalide, Nasarel
Mometasone; Nasonex
Ciclesonide; Omnaris, Zetonna
These are over the counter options:
Triamcinolone; Nasacort
Fluticasone; Flonase
These nasal sprays might cause a nosebleed. Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for more than three to five days. Using them beyond three to five days causes swelling in the nasal passages and aggravates allergic symptoms.
Decongestant Nasal Sprays:
Naphazoline; 4-Way Fast-Acting Nasal Spray
Oxymetazoline; Afrin Nasal Spray
These oral decongestants are available but you need to show a photo ID to purchase:
Phenylephrine; various brands/formulas
Pseudoephedrine; Sudafed, various brands/formulas
Keep in mind oral decongestants might increase blood pressure, cause or aggravate existing heart rhythm abnormalities, and/or cause wakefulness and difficulty falling asleep.
Anti-allergy eye drops are also an option. They might cause temporary stinging or burning when administered, as well as red or watery eyes in some people.
If irritation persists, contact the doctor. Soft-contact lens wearers should wait at least 10 minutes after using eye drops to insert contact lens. Use care to prevent contamination of dropper tip or eye drop solution. Corticosteroid eye drops may increase pressure in the eye; therefore, people with cataract glaucoma must use them with caution.