WebMD Ask the Pharmacist

Fall Allergy Treatments: Ask the Pharmacist

Sept. 14, 2010. Pharmacist, Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD, answers questions about fall allergy treatments.

Question:

I take Lexapro and Xanax at night before bed. Can I also take an expectorant and nasal decongestant without any side effects?

Answer:

Over-the-counter expectorants contain guaifenesin, which does not have any negative interactions with Lexapro or Xanax. Over-the-counter decongestants contain either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, which can be stimulating. This can somewhat counteract the effects of your Xanax, which I would assume you take for anxiety. If you are prone to anxiety, decongestants should only be used when absolutely necessary. You may want to try a nasal spray decongestant, which can help with the congestion and not cause stimulating side effects.

These medications are not for everyone. So it's always important to consult your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medication. He or she will ask you some questions to make sure these products will be safe and effective for you.

Question:

Can Coricidin HBP be taken with blood pressure medication?

Answer:

It is always important to check with your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medications. He or she knows your medical history and can provide more personalized recommendations. Coricidin HBP is a line of cold medications that do not contain any decongestants, like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, which can raise blood pressure in some people.

It is important to understand that this line of products will not treat congestion. It will only help with runny nose and cough, depending on which formula you buy. The ingredients in Coricidin HBP can be found in other products, as well. So ask your pharmacist about the most economical way to treat your cold symptoms.

Question:

Can a decongestant be taken with an antihistamine?

Answer:

Yes, decongestants – like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine – are safe to take with an antihistamine. They are often used in that combination to help with allergy symptoms.

Question:

Is it OK to take naproxen and pseudoephedrine at the same time?

Answer:

Yes, you can take naproxen and pseudoephedrine at the same time. There are no negative interactions reported between these two medications. Always ask your pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medications, as they are not safe for everyone, and he or she can help determine if these products are right for you.

Question:

Is Allegra D available over the counter?

Answer:

No, Allegra-D is not available without a prescription. Alternatives to Allegra-D are available, like Claritin-D and Zyrtec-D. Ask your healthcare professional if using one of these products as a substitute would be OK for you.

Question:

For my allergies, can I take Claritin Liquid Gels during the day and Tylenol Severe Allergy at night?

Answer:

Both of those products contain antihistamines, which treat allergy symptoms. Claritin Liquid Gels should last for 24 hours. So if you are finding you need more medication at night, they may not be working for you. I would need to know more about your symptoms and how you are feeling in order to suggest the best way to treat them. I suggest you discuss the issue with your health care professional.

Question:

My 6-year-old son was prescribed a steroid nasal spray for his allergies, along with Zyrtec. I was wondering if the amount of steroid in the nasal spray would weaken his immune system. When looking at the drug information, I noticed it said, "for use in children 12 years and older." So why did his doctor's office prescribe it to a 6-year-old?

Answer:

First, steroid nasal sprays, if used properly, will not weaken your son's immune system. They are very safe and effective medications for treating allergy symptoms. Many steroid nasal sprays are indicated for children as young as 2-years-old. So I am not sure which nasal spray was prescribed for your son or where the information you are reading came from. I would suggest you check with your pharmacist if you are concerned.

Question:

Can I mix Benadryl with Allegra?

Answer:

It is not recommended to use two antihistamines in the same day. I would need to collect more information from you in order to help you treat your allergies. I suggest you consult your pharmacist.

Question:

Can an antihistamine allergy pill be taken with high blood pressure medication?

Answer:

Most antihistamines are safe to use with medications for high blood pressure. But I would avoid the ones that also contain a decongestant, as these may raise blood pressure. I would need to know which medications you take in order to provide a more precise answer. You should talk to your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medications, especially if you have high blood pressure.

Question:

Is it safe to take Sudafed PE Sinus and Allergy while taking lisinopril-HCTZ 20 (12.5 mg)?

Answer:

I would not recommend using products that contain phenylephrine, which is found in Sudafed PE, if you have high blood pressure. It can raise your heart rate and blood pressure. You should talk to your pharmacist who can help you find a safer medication to use to treat your allergy symptoms – one that will not interact with your blood pressure medications.

Question:

Can Inderal and an antihistamine be taken together?

Answer:

Antihistamines are safe to take while using Inderal, there are not any known interactions. However, Inderal does make some people drowsy, and certain over-the-counter antihistamines can make you drowsy, as well. So I would suggest if you buy an antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness, such as loratadine. Your pharmacist can help you find one that is best for you.

Question:

My daughter was just diagnosed with allergies. She is taking an over-the-counter antihistamine and a prescription steroid nasal spray, but still has an annoying cough that lasts all day. Can I also give her a DM (dextromethorphan) cough syrup? She is 7-years-old.

Answer:

I can tell you that there are no negative drug interactions between dextromethorphan, antihistamines, and steroid nasal sprays. But I cannot tell you at this time if dextromethorphan is the best product to use for your daughter's type of cough. I suggest you talk with your health care professional who will collect more information from you and make a recommendation.

Question:

Can a 10-year-old take an over-the-counter antihistamine, and Motrin or Tylenol at the same time? What about an adult?

Answer:

Yes, it is safe to combine over-the-counter antihistamines with pain relievers, such as Motrin or Tylenol. I would suggest you consult your pharmacist to ensure you are taking the correct dose of these medications.

Question:

What does it mean when a prescription drug does not dissolve, but is found whole in the stool?

Answer:

Many medications are formulated in a special way to slowly release the medication over time. Some of these formulations may result in a "shell" being passed through the stool. The shell appears to be a whole tablet. But normally the shell has been rendered empty of the medication. It really depends on what medication you are referring to in order for me to tell you if it is normal and expected. I suggest you ask your pharmacist if the medication you are using could lead to the expulsion of shells in your stool.

Question:

I have been prescribed several different medications by two different doctors. Are they all safe to take together? These medicines include Singulair 10mg 1xday, Prednisone 40mg 1x /day, Flonase, Adipex, Claritin-D, 24 hour, and lansoprazole DR 30 BID.

Answer:

I always suggest you have your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist can screen each prescription you get for drug interactions with your other medications. In this case, I do not notice any significant interactions between the medications you listed. Adipex and the "D" part of Claritin-D have similar side effects, and can be stimulating. So taking the two together may cause insomnia, jitters, and a rapid heartbeat. If you notice any of these occurring, you should talk to your health care professional.

Question:

Can I take diphenhydramine while taking amitriptyline hydrochloride?

Answer:

Both amitriptyline and diphenhydramine can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation. If you take them together you may notice more intense side effects. Other than that, they are safe to use together for most people. If you notice side effects that are very bothersome or severe, you should talk to your health care professional.

Question:

I have severe allergies. My symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, red, dry eyes, and sinus headaches. I have been on Allegra-D for a few years. On occasion, I use allergy eye drops and Rhinocort when my symptoms are really bad. Recently, I added Sudafed to my arsenal to help fight the problems more swiftly. Is there an issue with combining these drugs?

Answer:

You should not use Sudafed if you are taking Allegra-D. They both contain decongestants and you will likely experience more severe side effects from combining the two. Side effects common with decongestants include rapid heartbeat, jitters, insomnia, loss of appetite, and increased blood pressure. Sudafed is safe to take with Rhinocort and allergy eye drops. But if you are still congested while taking Allegra-D, I would suggest you talk to your doctor to figure out how best to manage your allergies and congestion.

Question:

How long does Zyrtec-D stay in your system?

Answer:

Zyrtec-D is available as a 12-hour formulation and should relieve your allergy symptoms and congestion for 12 hours.

Question:

Can antihistamines and birth control pills be taken on a daily basis, specifically at night? If so, what side effects can occur?

Answer:

Antihistamines and birth control pills are safe to use together. There are no dangerous interactions between those classes of medication.

Question:

I've been told that I can't take an over-the-counter decongestant with lithium. Is there anything I can take for severe chest congestion?

Answer:

For chest congestion, it is usually best to use an expectorant. These medications help loosen and thin mucus in the chest so it is easier to cough up. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that is safe to take while using lithium.

It is always a good idea to talk to your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medications. They can help you choose the best one for your symptoms, namely, one that will not interact with any of your other medications.

Question:

Can I take Benadryl while taking propranolol 20mg?

Answer:

Benadryl is safe to take while using propranolol. There are not any dangerous interactions. However, propranolol does make some people drowsy. And Benadryl can make you drowsy, as well. I would suggest you get an antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist. He or she can help you find one that is best for you.

Question:

Can you take Sudafed with Zyrtec? I take one Zyrtec daily for allergies. Now I have a cold with a runny nose and watery eyes that the Zyrtec is not taking care of.

Answer:

Yes, it is safe to take Sudafed with Zyrtec. There are no dangerous interactions between the two medications. Talk to your pharmacist whenever you have questions about medications. He or she can help.

Question:

What is the problem with taking medications past their expiration date?

Answer:

It is not recommended to take medications past their expiration dates. Expiration dates are used on medications to ensure that the medication is being used at its highest quality, and many medications can lose potency over time. In some instances taking a medication past its expiration date will not hurt you, but it may not work as well.

Question:

Can I take an antihistamine allergy medicine and a cold medicine together?

Answer:

It depends on which antihistamine and which cold mediation you are referring to. Many cold medications come in combinations. And many formulations already contain an antihistamine. So it's really important to know which medications you want to use. Always consult your pharmacist before using an over-the-counter medication. They can help you find just the right one for you.

Question:

I took some loratadine for allergies. But I think I may have a cold, instead. Is it OK to take Nyquil and/or Dayquil?

Answer:

It is safe to take DayQuil with loratadine. NyQuil contains an antihistamine and loratadine is an antihistamine. So taking those two together would expose you to two antihistamines in one day, which is not generally recommended.

Question:

Is it OK to take a steroid nasal spray if it expired a month ago?

Answer:

It is not recommended to take medications past their expiration dates. Expiration dates are used on medications to ensure that the medication is being used at its highest quality. Many medications can lose potency over time. While it is not likely to hurt you to use your nasal spray after its expiration date, it may not work as well. I suggest you talk to your doctor and get a new prescription.

Question:

Can Benadryl have a side effect when combined with Suboxone?

Answer:

Both Benadryl and Suboxone can cause drowsiness. Taking the two together can cause severe drowsiness. They also can both lead to constipation. Taking two medications that have similar side effects usually intensifies the side effects. If you need an antihistamine while taking Suboxone, I suggest you talk to your pharmacist who can recommend on that does not cause drowsiness.

Question:

What over-the-counter medicine can you take for postnasal drip?

Answer:

Postnasal drip from a cold is best treated with first-generation antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, or brompheniramine) and pseudoephedrine. This combination has been shown to effectively dry up the drip, and relieve the cough and sore throat that can occur from the drip. You should talk to your pharmacist to review all your symptoms, and find the right over-the-counter products to treat them all.

Question:

I take Lexapro antidepressant. Can I take an over-the-counter medicine for my allergies?

Answer:

Over-the-counter antihistamines are safe to take if you use Lexapro. But I suggest you use one that does not cause drowsiness. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness, which can be more pronounced in someone taking a medication like Lexapro. Always ask your pharmacist before using an over-the-counter medication to ensure it is safe for you.

Question:

Is it safe to take an antihistamine while taking MS Contin and Rapaflo?

Answer:

Certain antihistamines should be avoided by men that have prostate problems. Older antihistamines, like diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine, can aggravate the symptoms of BPH. These older antihistamines can also cause drowsiness, which could be a problem if you already experience drowsiness from the MS Contin. You should talk to your pharmacist who can help you find an antihistamine that will not interfere with your condition or your current medications.

Question:

Does Benadryl have aspirin in it? I have watery eyes, but I can't take anything with aspirin.

Answer:

No, Benadryl contains diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. It does not contain any aspirin.

Question:

I have a 10-year-old that weighs around 100 pounds. She is having severe allergies and I’m wondering what allergy medications she can take.

Answer:

There are several options available over the counter to treat allergy symptoms for a 10-year-old. Loratadine and cetirizine are the two newest OTC antihistamines available. The advantage to these medications is that they work for a full 24 hours and you only need to take them once a day. Cetirizine, found in Zyrtec, tends to cause a bit more drowsiness than loratadine, which is found in Claritin. You should talk to your daughter's pediatrician if she is having severe allergies to ensure an over-the-counter antihistamine is appropriate for her at this time.

Question:

Is Sudafed PE for sinus headache safe for pregnant women?

Answer:

Before using over-the-counter products during pregnancy, it is especially important to talk to your OB-Gyn and/or your pharmacist. Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, are generally safe during pregnancy and may help with sinus headaches. If congestion is a major issue, it is safest to use a nasal spray that works locally, rather than taking a pill that will travel throughout your system.

Talk with your health care professional before taking anything while pregnant.

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