What is acrivastine and how is it different from other antihistamines?
Acrivastine is a non-drowsy antihistamine medicine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as those from hay fever, itchy eyes, eczema, hives, insect bites, and some food allergies. It belongs to the second-generation group of antihistamines and works by blocking histamine receptors to reduce symptoms. Unlike some other antihistamines, it acts quickly within 15 minutes, lasts up to 8 hours, and can be taken as needed up to three times a day, though it may still cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people.
Key points:
- Acrivastine starts working in 15 minutes for fast allergy relief.
- It provides relief for up to 8 hours and allows dosing up to three times daily as needed.
- As a second-generation antihistamine, it is less likely to cause drowsiness than older types.
- It is available over the counter in the UK under names like Benadryl Allergy Relief.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by medino's clinical team.