Best/safest antihistamine for regular use

[jaychops]

I'm not sure what I'm allergic to but for years I've had to take an antihistamine occasionally, especially at nights but sometimes in the day. Definitely worse in hay fever season but symptoms can be present all year round. Itchy/scratchy throat, nose pressure/blocking, the usual stuff.

Gradually the symptoms seem to be getting more frequent to the point where I'd like to take an effective antihistamine every night. I've been taking allevia (fexofenadine) purchased OTC as my basic research concluded this is a safe one, but it doesnt seem to be very effective for me. I've read that benadryl has an increased risk of dementia if taken long term, but I think it's with ingredients that aren't used in the UK available ones. Acrivastine seemed to work in the past but I'm unsure if this is safe for long term use.

I will of course consult my GP if I need to but I wondered if anyone else takes a daily non drowsy antihistamine and if so which one?

I take Clarityn daily, was recommended by dermatologist for my eczema, does not make me drowsy

I think it is a second generation antihistamine so less side effects, not sure of the dementia risk but i do not worry about, I need to stop itching in the here and now🙄

I’m on Telfast on prescription. Take it daily for symptoms similar to yours. It hasn’t helped fully unfortunately.

I take generic Zyrtec daily, and also Flixonase , both on prescription but I think available otc. The nasal spray ( Flixonase) probably does the heavy lifting for my Sinus/ stuff nose.

I also like Piriton but it can make you drowsy, especially if you are not used to it.

Anything where the main ingredient is cetirizine, not loratidine.

I take fexo daily. Game changer.

Yes this

I take two daily buy them from Amazon in bulk and it's great.

My histamine intolerance went crazy and is still high during peri.

HRT actually helped bring it down as well, but OP be sure to avoid high histamine foods as well as taking antibiotic need to lower it in diet as well.

.

Allevia best ever had hay fever for over 30 years and everything else just drugs me up.

What is wrong with loratidine? My DD12 has just been put on this long term for dust mite allergy.

I take an antihistamine every night, but i try to take different ones to avoid building a tolerance

I take dymista nasal spray twice a day. My GP said it is one of the safest to take long term, especially as it gets right to where it's needed as opposed to oral tablets.

I've tried low histamine diet and it made absolutely no difference except for making me feel depressed as it was so bland!

Please look online for the details - there are contraindications to using Loratidine long-term. I'd get the script changed to Cetirizine.

Can you explain why this please?

nothing wrong with loratadine long term

I have a prescription for Fexofenadine 180mg daily, which generally works for me, although occasionally I need top up with a cetirizine tablet (85p from Lidl or Aldi, although I have seen the same brand in Boots for over £2).

The NHS website doesn't have any info. I'm wary of looking elsewhere for medical advice.