What is the most common side effect of antihistamines?

Some of the common side effects of first-generation antihistamines include:
  • Drowsiness.
  • Dry mouth, dry eyes.
  • Blurred or double vision.
  • Dizziness and headache.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Mucous thickening in the airways.
  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Difficulty urinating and constipation.
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What are three possible side effects when taking an antihistamine?

Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
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Who should not take antihistamines?

Who shouldn't take antihistamines?
  • Glaucoma.
  • Trouble urinating (from an enlarged prostate gland)
  • Breathing problems, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • Heart disease.
  • High blood pressure.
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What are the side effects of taking antihistamines daily?

Are there side effects from taking antihistamines daily?
  • Drowsiness.
  • Constipation.
  • Urinary retention.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Increased appetite.
  • Weight gain.
  • Increased heart rate.
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What is the most common side effect of first-generation antihistamines?

The most prominent side effect of first-generation antihistamines is that they cross the blood-brain barrier leading to drowsiness.
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Side effects due to prolonged use of antihistamines - Dr. Sriram Nathan



Which of the following is the most common side effect of h1 antihistamines that is less common with second generation antihistamines?

The most common adverse effects noted for second-generation agents include drowsiness, fatigue, headache, nausea and dry mouth.
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What happens if you take too many antihistamines?

In overdose symptoms can include dizziness, tachycardia, headache drowsiness or agitation. While the current generation of lesser sedating antihistamines do not affect the QT interval at normal doses (unlike the previous generation of medicines), there are concerns there may be some effect in overdose.
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Is it better to take antihistamines at night or in the morning?

For many people with allergies, symptoms are the worst around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Taking an antihistamine at bedtime may help you or your child feel better in the morning during allergy season.
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What is the safest antihistamine?

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.
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Which antihistamine is best for 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.
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Is there a natural antihistamine?

A common herb in natural medicine, stinging nettle, may also be a natural antihistamine. In a 2000 study, 58 percent of participants found their symptoms relieved with the use of freeze-dried nettles, and 69 participants rated it better than the placebo. Stinging nettle can be found online and at health food stores.
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How long do antihistamines stay in your system?

For the average healthy adult, elimination half-life ranges from 6.7 to 11.7 hours. So between 6 to 12 hours after taking Benadryl, half the drug will be eliminated from the body. Within two days, the drug will be completely gone from the body.
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Do antihistamines raise blood pressure?

"In general, antihistamines are safe in patients with high blood pressure and other forms of heart disease," explains Richard Krasuski, MD, director of adult congenital heart disease services at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, but an antihistamine may elevate blood pressure or increase heart rate, according to the U.S. ...
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What are the top five antihistamines?

What are the best allergy medicines to take?
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • Claritin (loratadine)
  • Allegra (fexofenadine)
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine)
  • Xyzal (levocetirizine)
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Do antihistamines make you pee?

Antihistamines

“The bladder is a smooth muscle that fills up with urine. When it reaches a certain level and is full, it sends signals to the brain that it's time to urinate,” he explains. Trouble is, certain antihistamines can relax the bladder, blunting its ability to push out urine.
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What antihistamines are safe for high blood pressure?

What Allergy Medicines Can I Take if I Have High Blood Pressure?
  • Allegra (fexofenadine)
  • Clarinex (desloratadine)
  • Claritin (loratadine)
  • Xyzal (levocetirizine)
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine)
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Which foods are natural antihistamines?

People with allergies may find relief by using natural plant extracts and foods that act as antihistamines. Antihistamines are substances that block histamine activity in the body.
...
1. Vitamin C
  • bell peppers.
  • broccoli.
  • cantaloupe melon.
  • cauliflower.
  • citrus fruits.
  • kiwifruit.
  • strawberries.
  • tomatoes and tomato juice.
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Why is Benadryl not suitable for over 65s?

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.
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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.
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Do antihistamines weaken immune system?

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that sedating first-generation H1R antihistamines and H2R blockers might impair innate immune responses to bacteria and that these drugs should be used with caution in patients with severe bacterial infections.
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What time of day is it best to take allergy medicine?

So taking your 24-hour allergy medications before going to bed means that you'll get the maximum effect when you need it the most. "Taking your allergy medication at night assures that it will be circulating in your blood stream when you most need it, early the next morning," Martin says in a news release.
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What antihistamine is used for anxiety?

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. It is approved for the treatment of anxiety. However, hydroxyzine is also used to treat difficulty sleeping, nausea, vomiting, itching, skin rash, and allergies.
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Can you take 2 one a day antihistamines?

As well as taking a non-drowsy antihistamine during the day (such as cetirizine or loratadine), your doctor may advise that you take a drowsy antihistamine at night time if the itching is making it difficult to sleep. Do not take 2 antihistamines together unless recommended by your doctor.
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How much antihistamine can I take in a day?

Adults—5 to 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Children 6 years of age and older—5 to 10 mg once a day. Children 4 to 6 years of age—2.5 mg once a day, up to a maximum of 5 mg once a day or 2.5 mg twice a day.
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What are the anticholinergic side effects of antihistamines?

Antihistamine Risks and Anticholinergic Syndrome

These antihistamines also are potent muscarinic receptor antagonists that can lead to serious anticholinergic side effects, such as sinus tachycardia, dry skin, dry mucous membranes, dilated pupils, constipation, ileus, urinary retention, and agitated delirium.
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