Medicines Used for Allergic rhinitis
Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation inside the nose caused by an allergy to something in the air, such as pollen or dust mites. It causes sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itching of the nose, throat or eyes, and watery eyes, and it can be seasonal (hay fever) or last all year when triggered by dust mites, mould or pets. Medicines used to relieve it include antihistamines such as levocetirizine, steroid nasal sprays, salt-water nasal rinses and, for some people, montelukast. See a doctor if symptoms affect sleep or daily life, asthma gets worse, or pharmacy treatments do not help.
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
Medicines used for Allergic rhinitis
These active ingredients are in medicines whose approved uses include Allergic rhinitis. Brands are listed A to Z, not ranked. A doctor or pharmacist decides which medicine is right for you.
Levocetirizine
- Montair LC · 5 mg tablet
Montelukast
- Montair LC · 10 mg tablet
Common questions
Is allergic rhinitis the same as a cold?
No. A cold is a viral infection that usually clears in about a week, often with a sore throat. Allergic rhinitis is not an infection: symptoms start soon after contact with a trigger and last as long as the exposure, and itchy eyes and nose are common. Antibiotics do not help either.
Can allergic rhinitis be prevented?
Avoiding triggers helps. Keep windows closed and limit time outdoors when pollen is high, wash bedding in hot water, dust with a damp cloth, and keep pets out of the bedroom. Antihistamines often work better when taken regularly through the allergy season, as a doctor or pharmacist advises.
Why is montelukast not usually the first medicine for allergic rhinitis?
Because of the risk of mood and behaviour side effects, the US FDA advises keeping montelukast for people whose allergic rhinitis is not helped by, or who cannot take, other medicines such as antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. Your doctor weighs the benefits and risks for you.
Sources
- Allergic rhinitis. NHS (UK)
- Allergic Rhinitis. StatPearls, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), US National Library of Medicine
- Hay fever. NHS (UK)
- FDA requires Boxed Warning about serious mental health side effects for asthma and allergy drug montelukast (Singulair); advises restricting use for allergic rhinitis (Drug Safety Communication, 4 March 2020). US Food and Drug Administration