This time of year many of us have allergy symptoms that make us miserable. There is a plethora of over-the-counter medication for allergies, but are they safe?

There are two primary forms of OTC medications: antihistamines and decongestants. When you have an allergic reaction, histamines flood receptors in your body, causing those symptoms of runny nose, itching, and eye watering. Antihistamines work by jumping in and attaching to those receptors so the histamines can’t. Antihistamines work pretty well, but they are not without problems.

You should not use antihistamines without talking to your health care provider if you:

• Have narrow-angle glaucoma
• Take drugs called MAOIs
• Are breastfeeding

Even if antihistamines are safe for you, they can cause side effects:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness/sleepiness
• Urine retention and constipation
• Dry eyes/blurred vision

Decongestants are medications that help with those allergy symptoms such as runny nose, congested head, and post-nasal drip. These drugs work by constricted blood vessels in your nasal passages, thus decreasing congestion. But they are not safe for everyone. Consult with your provider before taking decongestants if you have:

• Glaucoma
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart problems or coronary artery disease
• Prostate problems
• Diabetes
• Thyroid issues

Once again, there can be side effects to decongestants even if they are safe for you. They may cause:

• Sleeplessness
• Irregular heartbeats
• Increased blood pressure
• Rebound congestion

Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines can be great for allergy symptoms, as long as you read the dosing instructions on the labels and check with your health care provider to be sure they are safe for you.