Health & Safety Products The Best OTC Allergy Medicines of 2023 By Isis Briones Isis Briones Twitter Isis is a freelance writer for sites like Forbes, Travel + Leisure, and Teen Vogue. She has a dual degree in communications and Spanish from Wake Forest University. Learn about our editorial process and Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 05, 2023 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Family / Jessica Juliao Whether you're reacting to pets or pollen, allergies are the worst. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to avoid the stuff you’re allergic to. To get your watery eyes, runny nose, and all other symptoms under control, you may benefit from a reliable over-the-counter allergy medicine. Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but they each have different active ingredients with some possibly inducing drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. “The best allergy medications are antihistamines,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network. We looked at age recommendations, medicine formats, value, symptoms, and different types of antihistamines when evaluating products. We also had a family physician from our Review Board review the contents of this article for accuracy surrounding the efficacy of specific ingredients and when it's time to see an allergist. What to Look for in OTC Allergy Medicines Type of Antihistamine The antihistamine cetirizine hydrochloride found in Zyrtec and GoodSense All Day Allergy can treat indoor and outdoor symptoms and is safe for children 6 years old and up with a 10-milligram tablet limit per day. It is important to note this antihistamine may cause drowsiness, so keep that in mind if you are treating yourself or your child before school or work. There’s also fexofenadine, found in Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief, which is a non-drowsy antihistamine. Children over the age of 12 and adults can take one 180-milligram tablet per day but should be on the lookout for side effects, like dizziness or nausea. According to Laura Chong, MD, board-certified allergist of the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic, “The main side effect to be on the lookout for is [drowsiness], since it can cross the blood-brain barrier.” Medicine Format Dr. Chong says there are many different ways antihistamines can be used. “Antihistamines can be used in the forms of pills (mostly over the counter), nasal sprays (prescription only), and in various eye drops (both over the counter and prescription),” she says. There are also OTC allergy medications that are not antihistamines, such as the nasal sprays Flonase and Nasacort that use steroids to treat allergy symptoms. “The antihistamine nasal spray can be used down to age 6, while the oral medications (liquid form) and eye drops with some products can be used down to age 2.” Depending on which method of medication you decide to use, they each offer relief from those pesky allergy symptoms. Pill – Taken orally, pills are great for easing a runny nose and itchy/watery eyes. Some OTC pills may cause drowsiness, leaving you feeling tired throughout the day. Nasal Spray – With a spritz of spray through your nostrils, this will help relieve any itching or congestion you may have. With antihistamine nasal sprays, you may be left feeling drowsy or have a bitter taste left behind in your mouth. This won't occur with steroid nasal sprays.Liquid – Also taken orally, in the form of liquid, this type of method is like a pill. Depending on your antihistamine, it may cause you to feel drowsy but will help relieve any allergy symptoms you’re experiencing. Eye Drops – This format is available over the counter or through a prescription. They can help with itchy and red eyes but may leave you with a headache, which is a possible side effect. Symptoms If you are one of the millions who suffer from allergies, you've more than likely experienced the draining symptoms that come with them. “Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy/red/watery eyes, congestion of the ears, postnasal drainage, sinus pain/pressure, headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing,” says Dr. Chong. Sometimes, over-the-counter medications won’t tackle your allergies, and that’s when it’s best to see an allergist. Some signs that indicate you should see an allergist are if your symptoms are causing you to have difficulty breathing, your ability to carry on your daily life is interfered with due to asthma or allergies, and tightness in your chest. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best OTC allergy medicine for pollen? If your allergies seem to be triggered during peak pollen seasons, a fast-acting antihistamine can offer quick and effective relief from symptoms. Allegra and Zyrtec are both antihistamines that can speed up symptom relief. What is the most effective OTC allergy medicine? The most effective OTC allergy medicine completely depends on what type of allergen is triggering your symptoms and the type of symptoms you are experiencing. However, antihistamines are considered the most effective option as they can help with both indoor and outdoor allergens. What is the best OTC non-drowsy medicine? Some OTC allergy medicines have a sedating effect that can make you feel tired and drowsy. Brands like Allegra and Claritin offer non-drowsy options that provide all of the relief without any of the sleepiness. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Allegra Antihistamine Tablets at Amazon Jump to Review Best Prescription-Strength: Zyrtec Allergy Medicine Tablets at Amazon Jump to Review Best Eye Drops: Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Zyrtec 24 Hr Children’s Allergy Syrup at Amazon Jump to Review Best Non-Drowsy: Claritin 24-Hour Allergy Reditabs at Amazon Jump to Review Best Nasal Spray: Nasacort Allergy 24HR Nasal Spray at Amazon Jump to Review Best All-Day Relief: GoodSense All Day Allergy at Amazon Jump to Review Best Natural: Genexa Allergy Care at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Nighttime: Benadryl Allergy Relief Tablets at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Pet Allergies: Xyzal Allergy Tablet at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand What to Look For FAQ Our Picks Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall Allegra Adult Non-Drowsy Antihistamine Tablets Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros Provides relief within an hour Non-drowsy unlike other antihistamines Soothes both indoor and outdoor allergies Cons Pills are large and uncoated May not work for every person the same Pills may leave behind aftertaste The Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief easily tops our list thanks to the medicine's quick-acting formula to tackle your allergy symptoms any time of the day. When it comes to treating allergies, there's one ingredient that is head and shoulders above the rest: antihistamines. If your eyes are starting to itch or your nose is running, the antihistamine in the Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief can help make you feel better in as little as one hour. Beyond the pill’s record-breaking relief, it includes fexofenadine, a special non-drowsy antihistamine ingredient that won’t affect your energy levels. All in all, it’s great to know that this medicine can provide 24 hours of relief, for both indoor and outdoor allergies, without getting in the way of your day. Price at time of publication: $38 Key Specs:Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Fexofenadine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 12 years old and up Best Prescription-Strength Zyrtec Prescription-Strength Allergy Medicine Tablets Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Very effective for indoor allergies Works doubly when retaken the next day Easy to swallow Cons Isn't non-drowsy for all Can leave some feeling groggy in the morning More costly than other OTC allergy meds If your allergies are all over the place, the Zyrtec Prescription-Strength Allergy Medicine Tablets were made for you because it’s effective in treating indoor and outdoor allergies. You can also count on it to come through with long-lasting 24-hour relief. Zyrtec helps to relieve itchy, red, watery eyes, sneezing and runny, itchy nose, postnasal drip, and itching from hives, so the most common allergy symptoms can be alleviated. What the Experts Say: “I would avoid decongestants as they can cause rebound symptoms, long term side effects, and are addictive. Examples of decongestants are any allergy med that includes ‘D’ for example, Zyrtec D has a decongestant and plain Zyrtec doesn’t and is okay to use long-term."- Dr. Purvi Parikh, Allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network Price at time of publication: $49 Key Specs:Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Best Eye Drops Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Relieves multiple symptoms at once Child-safety cap Doesn't burn Cons Just treats eye symptoms In recent testing done by Verywell Health on eye drops for allergies, our at-home tester gave these drops a 5 out of 5 rating for performance and application. The formula uses the decongestant naphazoline to narrow blood vessels temporarily, stopping redness, and the antihistamine pheniramine maleate to stop itching caused by allergens. "This product definitely helped with my itchy and irritated eyes all day," the tester said. "Using this was life changing, to be honest. I finally was able to get rid of the irritations I get that I usually just power through and complain about it." Price at time of publication: $13 Key Specs:Type: Eye drops | Active Ingredient: Naphazoline HCI (redness relief), pheniramine maleate (antihistamine)| Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Best for Kids Zyrtec 24 Hr Children’s Allergy Syrup Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros Dye- and sugar-free Offers symptom-tracking app For kids as young as two years old Cons Might cause itchiness May not work best for children with more intense allergies Can cause some children to be drowsy Once you've determined they are suffering from allergies rather than a cold, don’t worry, Zyrtec looks out for the little ones in your family, too. Children’s Zyrtec is recommended for kids as young as 2 years old and even though it’s made without sugar, parents confirmed that kids actually like the taste. Only one dose is required daily making the process extra easy, and on top of that, Zyrtec has an app called AllergyCast that can track symptoms and show how certain factors, like weather, can affect childrens' allergies. Price at time of publication: $12 Key Specs:Type: Liquid | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 2 years old and up Best Non-Drowsy Claritin 24-Hour Allergy Reditabs Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Carewell.com Pros Melt-in-your-mouth, fast-dissolving option Doctor-recommended for non-drowsiness Relieves symptoms from over 200 allergens Cons A bit more expensive Tablets can fall apart easily May not last a full 24 hours Claritin’s 24-Hour Allergy Reditabs are powerful and can relieve you of symptoms from over 200 allergens. Whether it’s mold, dust, or anything else floating around, Claritin won’t let any of it bother you. It’s the ultimate protection and you can take them any time because these tablets won’t put you to sleep as they’re reportedly the number one doctor-recommended, non-drowsy oral allergy brand. To make things even more convenient, you should know that you don’t even need water to take this medicine. The tablets will melt in your mouth like butter and they apparently dissolve three times faster than other similar products. And, taking Claritin during pregnancy is typically safe, but don't forget to check with a doctor first. Price at time of publication: $24 Key Specs:Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Loratadine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Best Nasal Spray Nasacort Allergy 24HR Nasal Spray Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart Pros User-friendly (doesn’t have to be swallowed) Scent- and alcohol-free 120 sprays per bottle Cons Can drip out of nose after spraying May not last a full 24 hours for some Aftertaste possible after spraying If liquid medicines or swallowing pills aren’t your thing, you’ll want to consider taking care of your allergies with a nasal spray. Nasacort is supposed to tackle sneezing, a runny and itchy nose, and nasal allergy congestion with one to two sprays per nostril once daily (depending on your age). You can even tackle children's allergies since it’s safe for children ages 2 and up, but you’ll want to consult with your child’s pediatrician first to be sure. Price at time of publication: $35 Key Specs:Type: Nasal | Active Ingredient: Triamcinolone acetonide (steroid) | Age Recommendation: 2 years old and up Best Online Pediatricians Best All-Day Relief GoodSense All Day Allergy Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Full-year supply High-relieving active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride Cheaper than most store brands Cons Might cause drowsiness May not last a full 24 hours Can leave behind a slight odor (bottle or pills) GoodSense All Day Allergy can handle anything. Unlike most allergy medicines, this one, in particular, has the active ingredient Cetirizine Hydrochloride, an antihistamine that can properly treat a variety of indoor and outdoor symptoms. From sneezing to an itchy throat and watery eyes, you can count on GoodSense and you’ll even have enough to last you a full year as there are 365 tablets in each bottle. Price at time of publication: $16 Key Specs:Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Cetirizine Hydrochloride (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Best Natural Genexa Allergy Care Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros Tablets can be chewed Safe for children 3 years old and up Made with clean ingredients Cons May work better for those with slight/mild allergies Can be difficult to find in stores or online sometimes Not long lasting enough for some For a more natural approach to kissing those allergies goodbye, check out Genexa, a chewable table made of homeopathic ingredients. Genexa is supposed to tackle more than 10 common allergy symptoms, like runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure. It’s safe for children ages 3 and up, and the tablet must be chewed, not swallowed. Price at time of publication: $19 Key Specs:Type: Tablet (chewable) | Active Ingredient: Wyethia Helenoides and more (non-antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 3 years old and up The Best Allergy-Friendly Healthy Snacks, According to a Dietitian Best for Nighttime Benadryl Ultratabs Antihistamine Allergy Relief Tablets Amazon View On Amazon Pros Easy to swallow Great night relief Cheaper than most store brands Cons Must take every four to six hours Can cause drowsiness for some Not recommended for children under 6 years old Have you had a long day? Do you want to just sleep right away and forget about your allergies? Benadryl Allergy can make that happen. A full dose can put you to sleep and treat your common allergy symptoms at the same time. Get ready for some uninterrupted slumber and by the next morning, you’ll feel as good as new. However, parents are advised to exercise caution before giving Benadryl to children. Price at time of publication: $13 Key Specs:Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Diphenhydramine (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Best for Pet Allergies Xyzal Allergy Tablet Amazon View On Amazon Pros Maximum strength for severe allergies of all kinds Eases pet dander irritations Year-round option Cons May cause drowsiness for some Better for those under their 60s Can cause grogginess the next day No matter how much you love your furry friends, life isn’t going to be easy if you’re allergic to them. You can give yourself some relief by taking the Xyzal Allergy Relief Tablets that were made to alleviate symptoms associated with animal dander allergies. Unless you’re willing to get rid of your pet, many say this is the only thing that works. Additionally, Parikh suggests “keeping the pet out of your bedroom and getting a HEPA air purifier.” Price at time of publication: $28 Key Specs:Type: Tablets | Active Ingredient: Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride (antihistamine) | Age Recommendation: 6 years old and up Why Trust Verywell Family As a seasoned health writer, Isis Briones knows the importance of finding products that work best for you and your conditions. You can count on her to always provide a variety of recommendations from licensed medical professionals because she has tested and reviewed tons of products over the years to know everyone is different. Additional reporting by Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey has been a news and feature writer for more than six years with experience at KFOR-TV and BabyGaga.com. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. 3 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mayo Clinic. Allergy medications: Know your options. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. When to see an allergist. Corsico AG, Leonardi S, Licari A, et al. Focus on the cetirizine use in clinical practice: a reappraisal 30 years later. Multidiscip Respir Med 2019;14(40). doi:10.1186/s40248-019-0203-6 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit