Suggest Antihistamines Which Are Absolutely Sedation Free For Allergy

Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 5 Jan 2015 Answered on

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have seasonal allergic eczema which is poorly controlled with the usual Hayfever type anti-histamines but I would prefer not to use Promethazine or other drowsie-making remedies to help reduce the itchiness and skin rashes. Are there any alternatives?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer:
Second generation anti histamines

Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Very frankly speaking there is no anti histaminic which is absolutely sedation free. Although second generation anti histamines are supposed be non sedatives but in fact they also cause sedation to some extent.
The best amongst them are FEXOFENADINE and LORATIDINE.
Although these medicines can cause some sedation but still they are much better, however to avoid even the slightest sedation you can use them at bed time so that you are sedation free in the day time.
I hope it helps however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (17 hours later)

Thank you for your help. As I noted in my supplementary information, I have already tried the Fexofenadine and Loratidine anti-histamines and they do not cover the problem which is chiefly the itching and eczema associated with my allergic reaction. I have tried taking a 24 hour or 2 x 12 hour doses of the above two medications to see if this improved their coverage of the symptoms but this did not help. What is your opinion of Phenergan - despite its known sedative action? If I take it at bedtime will I be less likely to have the drowsiness associated with it? I understand I cannot take Pheneran longer that 10 days and I fear my exposure during the hay fever season will exceed that period. I am speaking to you from Australia, by the way, hence the "out of season" timing for this query. I am suffering symptoms now.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (5 hours later)

Hello,
Phenargan is good but causes much more sedation.
Best would be to use CETRIZINE,although it causes slight sedation.
You can take CETRIZINE 2 hours before going to bed in night.It would result in much less drowsiness in the morning and after a use of few days,you would be comfortable with it.
I hope it helps.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar