Antihistamine Side Effects

Anyone who has suffered from allergies can tell you that one of the best things available to them, whether it be over the counter (OTC) or prescription, are antihistamines. Regardless of the antihistamine side effects, the benefit from this class of drugs is tremendous. Even though the antihistamine side effects can indeed cause problems in other areas, the antihistamine side effects are generally minimal and almost impossible to be life threatening except in rare cases. Since I’ve been taking antihistamines for years, decades actually, I feel I can give a good overview of information on the antihistamine side effects that I’ve personally experienced over the years.

Before I get into the details of antihistamine side effects though, I think a brief description or definition of antihistamines is warranted. Antihistamines are a class of drugs that combat or minimize the histamines that the body produces when it comes in contact with allergens. For instance, if you are allergic to ragweed and are exposed to it, your body will produce histamines. The result of this production is the typical allergic reaction(s): sneezing, watering eyes, stuffy nose or runny nose etc. When you take an antihistamine, it blocks the histamine release in the body thereby minimizing or stopping the sneezing and other reactions. Read more…