Selecting the right over-the-counter allergy (OTC) medication from the wide array of choices available at your local pharmacy/drug-store can be quite confusing. The right choice depends upon whether you have seasonal allergy, environmental allergy, food allergy, drug allergy or toxin allergy. You also need to know what drugs are available over-the-counter for allergy and which symptoms they treat.

Typically, there are four types of allergy medication – antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, decongestants and topical corticosteroids.


You should opt for over-the-counter medication only when you have a mild allergy. Severe cases of allergy have to be referred to a doctor. Ask your doctor before starting a medication if you are suffering from any other ailments or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Antihistamines containing the active ingredients brompheniramine maleate (Dimetane) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton) may have drug interactions with certain drugs like tranquilizers and sedatives.

Here’s a list of commonly available OTC drugs for allergy.

Antihistamines – Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), brompheniramine (Dimetane), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), loratadine (Tavist, Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) (prescription drug in some countries).

Decongestants – Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), Oxymetazoline HCl (Afrin nasal spray), phenylephrine hydrochloride (Neo-Synephrine nasal spray).

Combination drugs (antihistamine + decongestant) – Pseudoephedrine-triprolidine (Actifed), chlorpheniramine maleate-pseudoephedrine sulfate (Chlor-Trimeton D), clemastine-phenylpropanolamine (Tavist D), acetaminophen-diphenhydramine HCl (Tylenol Allergy, Sinus), pheniramine maleate- naphazoline hydrochloride (0.025%) (Ocu-Hist or Visine-A eye drops).

Topical Corticosteroids – Cortaid.

Get only those allergy drugs that have worked for you earlier. Remember to check the active ingredient/s in the OTC allergy medicine you use.

Generally, over the counter drugs should not be used over long time. Consult a doctor if your allergy symptoms are new.