Are there any antihistamines that don't cause drowsiness?
Yes, there are non-drowsy antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, and acrivastine that are less likely to cause drowsiness than older types. These are suitable for daytime use and widely available over the counter in the UK. However, a small number of people may still feel sleepy with them, especially at first or with higher doses.
Key points:
- Non-drowsy antihistamines like cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine are designed for use during the day.
- They treat hay fever, allergies, hives, and itchy skin without the strong sleepiness of drowsy types.
- Drowsiness can occasionally occur even with non-drowsy options.
- Fexofenadine is the least likely among them to cause drowsiness.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by medino's clinical team.