Is frequent use of OTC antihistamines harmful?

@jmb1949 Welcome to Mayo Connect where patients and caregivers share their experiences with one another.

We are not medical professionals, and try not to give medical advice, but can share what works for us.

Any time you use an over the counter medication, if you have any medical conditions or use prescription meds, make sure all of your providers know what you take and how often.

The answer to your question is "it depends." As a rule, taking antihistamines occasionally is safe for most people, but caution must be used if you have medical conditions and use prescription medications.

If you find you need an antihistamine very often, there a nasal sprays that are used once or twice a day that can be very effective and have less systemic effect.

Here I what Mayo Clinic says:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/antihistamine-oral-route-parenteral-route-rectal-route/description/drg-20070373
Have you spoken to your providers about needing antihistamines frequently?

Hi, @jmb1949. I'd also like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I have allergies, too. I take OTC fluticasone nasal spray and cetirizine, plus prescription ipratropium bromide nasal spray. I believe the latter has really helped me the most with runny nose.

What type of OTC antihistamine do you typically take? I'm also wondering how your runny nose and watery eyes have been the last couple of days since you posted.

I ended up being diagnosed with adult onset asthma. The best thing I ever did was to see an allergist. The allergist can look at your other medications and determine what would be best for you. Seeing an allergist was a life-changer for me.

I’m replying for my husband.. He had several episodes of bronchitis, once @ ER, recommended Pulmonologist. Pulmonary Dr insisted he had Asthma (never smoked..no breathing issues in past) recommended an inhaler, used for yrs, if cold symptoms, cough, uses Rx Aerosol. I think his lungs have become dependent on an inhaler to breathe, or the inhaler has caused lung damage…Pulmonary Dr isn’t going to tell you this! Just now, he has a lingering cold, still cough, off & on…sounds bad, but not congested.. Two times to Urgent Care, antibiotics, cough/expectorant..doesn’t seem to go away, last time Dr, suggested CXR, (that urgent care didn’t have machine) Reading about current weather today, shows “air quality” poor !!! So is this the reason cough, cold symptoms won’t go away! We do have 2 air purifiers, one in bedroom, change filters when machine notifies me. I never hear healthcare workers suggest use of Air Purifiers! Has anyone else found this to be solution to their lingering cold, breathing issues?? (An exception could be my husband has gone to work during Xmas/New Year holidays, he was on antihistamine, suggested not to use, would dry secretions, contribute to cough!)
(I have the same “bug”, IS going away. My daughter, grandson shared it with us before Xmas, we are getting well faster.)

Hi, @roux10271937 - if you're interested, here's another Mayo Clinic Connect discussion on air purifiers, also in the Asthma & Allergy support group

- Any suggestions on air purifiers?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-suggestions-on-air-purifiers/