Should older people take antihistamines?

Avoid First-Generation Antihistamines

Certain antihistamines, the class of drug most commonly prescribed to treat allergies, can be dangerous for seniors.

What is the safest antihistamine for seniors?

Loratadine, cetrizine, and fexofenadine all have excellent safety records. Their cardiovascular safety has been demonstrated in drug-interaction studies, elevated-dose studies, and clinical trials. These three antihistamines have also been shown safe in special populations, including pediatric and elderly patients.

Can people over 65 take antihistamines?

What they actually recommend is that if you're over 65, or if you have liver or kidney problems, you should ask your doctor if it's OK to use it. Since Zyrtec is now an over-the-counter antihistamine and can be taken without a doctor's knowledge, they're just advising caution in older folks.

Which antihistamine is given to the elderly?

So what can older adults safely take for allergy relief? Wozniak: Newer antihistamines such as Claritin® (loratadine) and Allegra® (fexofenadine) tend to be safer and better tolerated.

Why can't over 65s take Benadryl?

Because age-related changes occur in the cholinergic system, there is concern that strong anticholinergic effects may lead to a decline in cognitive function or even precipitate delirium in older adults. Diphenhydramine can have significant cognitive and performance-related adverse effects even in younger patients.

Why doctors are advising against Benadryl

Can antihistamines cause dementia?

But there was no association between dementia and antihistamine medications. A 2018 study had similar findings. While certain types of anticholinergic medications were linked to dementia, antihistamines were not.

Can you take antihistamines if you have high blood pressure?

Antihistamines are the most common medication for allergies. Most of them seem to be safe if you have high blood pressure -- but again, ask to make sure. Don't take decongestants unless your doctor tells you otherwise. They may raise your blood pressure.

Why are antihistamines contraindicated in elderly?

First generation antihistamines, while very effective at controlling symptoms, are often associated with symptoms in older adults such as anxiety, confusion, sedation, blurred vision, reduced mental alertness, urinary retention and constipation.

Who Cannot take antihistamines?

What are the side effects of antihistamines?

Is Reactine safe for seniors?

The safety and effectiveness of using this medication for year-round allergies have not been established for children 12 years of age and under. Seniors: Seniors may be more sensitive to the effects of cetirizine. Therefore, a lower starting dose may be recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the safest allergy medicine to take?

Medications that often can be safely used by people with significant allergies include nasal corticosteroids. In addition, antihistamines are very effective. The antihistamines include fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Can old people take Claritin?

But there are times when people have been on these medications a long time and no ones stopped and thought about it, and maybe there are safer alternatives.” Beizer says newer types of antihistamines like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec have fewer side effects for older adults.

Can antihistamines cause stroke?

Dr Eric Matheson and colleagues from the Medical University of South Carolina said in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine that their findings 'indicate that hay fever is an independent risk factor for first stroke. Patients with hay fever who use antihistamines may be at particularly great risk.

Is it better to take a decongestant or antihistamine?

Which one should you take? For true cold symptoms, a decongestant will provide more relief than an antihistamine. If you notice your “cold” symptoms occur at the same time each year (spring for examine), or are consistent year-round, you may actually have allergies that could benefit from antihistamine medication.

Which antihistamine has the least side effects?

Why you should not take antihistamines?

Side effects of antihistamines that make you drowsy can include: sleepiness (drowsiness) and reduced co-ordination, reaction speed and judgement – do not drive or use machinery after taking these antihistamines. dry mouth. blurred vision.

Is it OK to take antihistamines every day?

Experts say, it's usually okay. “Taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily, but patients should make sure they do not interact with their other medications,” says Sandra Lin, MD, professor and vice director of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at John Hopkins School of Medicine.

Are antihistamines good for Covid 19?

A pair of over-the-counter compounds has been found in preliminary tests to inhibit the virus that causes COVID-19, University of Florida Health researchers have found. The combination includes diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms.

Why do antihistamines cause heart palpitations?

A decongestant eases congestion by constricting the blood vessels in your nasal passages. This dries up nasal mucus. But these medications can also abnormally stimulate the heart and blood vessels throughout the body. “This can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, or skipped beats.

Can antihistamines cause atrial fibrillation?

"They can raise the blood pressure and increase the pulse, neither of which is ideal in either problem," he says. "They can also increase the risk for heart rhythm disturbances such as atrial fibrillation."

Can antihistamines cause heart palpitations?

Many medicines, including diet pills, antihistamines, decongestants, and some herbal products, can cause heart palpitations. Nearly everyone has palpitations from time to time.

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Do antihistamines affect memory?

The medicines you take can have a surprising effect on memory, but it's not just the ones your doctor prescribes. Over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl and other antihistamine allergy medications also can lead to temporary brain fog and forgetfulness.

Which antihistamine causes dementia?

Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk. A report published in JAMA Internal Medicine several years ago highlighted a link between long-term use of anticholinergic medications like Benadryl and dementia.