Allergy medicines You and your child should know the name of each medicine your child is taking. Each person’s allergies are different and medicines that help one person may not help another. Always use the medicines in the amount and method prescribed by your child’s doctor. Always make sure you have enough medicines on hand. Anti-inflammatory nose sprays Brand name Generic name Things to know Beconase® beclomethasone • Beconase AQ® Vancenase® • Vancenase AQ® • Vancenase AQ® double strength Flonase® • Stinging or irritation to the nose fluticasone Nasacort® Nasacort AQ triamcinolone Nasalcrom® cromolyn Nasarel® Nasonex® Decreases swelling and inflammation in the nose Takes days or weeks to work Must be used daily to prevent inflammation Side effects flunisolide mometasone furoate monohydrate Rhinocort® budesonide Antihistamines: For best results use a long-acting preparation (such as a 12-hour type) to control allergy symptoms. Generic products work as well as brand names. Brand name Generic name Dimetane® (or other brands) brompheniramine Chlor-Trimeton ® (or other brands) chlorpheniramine • Tavist® Periactin® Benadryl® (or other brands) Atarax® clemastine Things to know • Usually starts working in 15-30 minutes May take with or without food Side effects • • • cyproheptadine diphenhydramine hydroxyzine • The most common side effect is drowsiness; take it at bedtime. It may thicken mucus; drink plenty of fluids. In young children antihistamines may cause stimulation or hyperactivity. Call the doctor if your child is too sleepy or has blurred vision or dilated pupils. Allergy medicines Page 1 of 2 Non-sedating antihistamines Brand name Generic name Allegra® fexofenadine Clarinex® desloratadine Claritin loratadine Zyrtec® cetirizine ® Things to know Side effects • Take only as directed by your doctor. • It may thicken mucus; drink plenty of fluids. • Do not take other antihistamines • while on one of these medicines. • Do not take erythromycin while taking these medicines without asking your doctor or pharmacist. May cause nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up). Call your child’s doctor if this becomes a problem. Nasal decongestants: These medicines are often combined with an antihistamine. Decongestants do not treat allergies but may help relieve a runny or stuffed-up nose. If you do not have this symptom, you do not need a decongestant. Use generic products when available. Brand name Afrin® Generic name Privine ® Sudafed® PediaCare® Various combinations Side effects phenylephrine • Usually begins working in 10 to 15 minutes naphazoline • Stop using nose sprays after 3 days. oxymetazoline Neo-synephrine® Things to know pseudoephedrine • Increased activity, hard to fall asleep, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, dizziness • Stop using oral medicines when symptoms are gone. phenylephrine Cough medicines: When choosing an over-the-counter medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Cough suppressants or expectorants like Robitussin® (guaifenesin) or Robitussin® DM (dextromethorphan) have not been shown to relieve allergy symptoms. Many times they are in allergy medicines, but are not needed. Questions? This sheet is not specific to your child, but provides general information. If you have any questions, please call your clinic or pharmacy. Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Patient/Family Education 2525 Chicago Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 5/09 Copyright Allergy medicines Page 2 of 2