Antihistamine reducing anxiety or just coincidence?

[Shadowdog]

I started taking a antihistamine (Cetirizine Dihydrochloride) daily about 6 weeks ago as hayfever symptoms were starting, I was also going on holiday so I wanted to see if it would help with mozzie bites.

Over the weeks I’ve noticed some good side effects. Is it the antihistamine or just coincidence?

I feel calmer in general
I have had less anxiety symptoms (less shakiness etc)
my nervous tummy has improved (less diarrhoea)
not waking to wee so often overnight

anyone else notice these positive side effects and is it ok to stay on them permanently?

I think it's because antihistamines tend to make you drowsy, perhaps even a little sedated. I'm not sure it's a good idea to stay on them, though. If you need help with anxiety etc you're better off getting it treated properly.

I don't have these side effects but I do take it year round for allergies and have done for years, it is OK to do so.

My gp told me years ago to take antihistamine when I had problems getting to sleep.those are the ones that do make you drowsy.

I don’t think it is.

I take sleepease on occasion as I can be a bad sleeper. This is anti-histimane based and I sometimes take half when I’m anxious and it really calms me down.

When we got our new pup many years ago (and DH proved to be allergic 🙄) gp said it was fine to take an anti-histamine everyday

Really interesting as was watching t.v prog last night where they were discussing histamine allergies which can be caused by food.. symptoms include mild anxiety, nervous tummy, digestive probs etc .. I too have noticed these symptoms of mine improve when I take anti histamines for hayfever.. I also take phenergen to help sleep which is brilliant.

You can take them every day, I've been on 4 a day for 25 years

Ds is prescribed promethazine for anxiety so I think there's a link

Ooh what programme was that?

Hydroxyzine is particular can be effective for anxiety yes.

@Shadowdog if you google this, you’ll find some research stating that yes, some antihistamines can help reduce anxiety. It’s likely you’ve had this positive side effect.

NB! Some antihistamines can exacerbate anxiety. You can find lists of which one tends to do what.

Yes th

It's not just coincidence. We qctually prescribe antihistamines for anxiety for some patients.

It was on channel 4.

www.channel4.com/programmes/food-unwrapped

Sorry should have also said it was on last night but it was a repeat (I think) of the episode called Healthy Hacks.

Thanks for the link @BonnesVacances I suffer from IBD and have heard that anti histamines may help as well as a low histamine diet. I'll definitely watch this

That particular antihistamine doesn't usually cause drowsiness, but some people are still susceptible to it, so maybe you are one of them.

I normally take Piriton, but have taken that one in the past when I had horses, and took it long-term. Can't say it had any effect on me other than reducing my allergies - it was great for that.

Perhaps your symptoms were part and parcel of your allergy without you realising.