Spring allergies are now in full swing. That means that millions across North America are welcoming the new season with a sneeze. That also means that over-the-counter (OTC) allergy remedies of all kinds are flying off the shelves.

Most people assume that if you can just walk into a store and buy it without a prescription then it must be perfectly safe. However, even many common OTC allergy medications can have side effects and potential drug interactions. You can also get into trouble if you over-medicate.

Another challenge is the wide range of products that you can choose from. Many consumers can be overwhelmed trying to make sense of their options as they scan shelf after shelf.

Adding to the confusion of new variations of old favorites (such as non-drowsy formulations or new combinations of medications to control symptoms), are the new arrivals – medications like Zyrtec, which used to be a prescription only drug that you can now buy OTC.

One way to get some help when wading into the sea of options is to get a recommendation from your family or primary-care doctor. Not only may they have some insight into a medication that will work better for you, they may also have some recommendations based on other medications that you already take. Drug interactions are extremely common, according to Emergency Medicine, with drug related mortality and morbidity now estimated to cost more than $130 billion every year in the US alone.

If you are doing more than taking a simple antihistamine for a few weeks every year, you might want to consult with a specialist. This can help by both identifying all your allergens and determining the severity of your allergy. In this way, you can take the minimum amount of medication(s) of the right kind, in order to control your symptoms with minimal side effects.

Source: Courier-Journal