It's no surprise that your over-the-counter antihistamine can send you snoozing on the job, but sleepiness isn’t the only side effect of allergy medicine that you should be aware of. There are lesser-known effects that can range from annoying to dangerous that you may not even link to your dose of allergy relief. Intensity of side effects vary from person to person and with the help of your doctor you can weigh the severity of your allergy against the intensity of the side effect from the medication used to treat it. Here, Javed Sheikh, M.D., Clinical Director of Allergy at Beth Israel Deaconess and full-time faculty at Harvard Medical School, outlines some of the lesser-known side effects of allergy medication.
Allergy Medication Side Effects
Low Libido
Lost that lovin' feelin'? Any allergy medicine that has a depressive effect can decrease your sex drive, says Sheikh. Of course, the allergy itself could be so severe that it robs you of your desire to have sex but if you suspect that your low libido is result of your allergy medicine, you should talk with your doctor.
Increased Appetite
Though there may be many reasons why you can't keep your hands out of that box of cookies, taking medicines with antihistamines can stimulate your appetite. If you're taking these medications regularly or over the long term, you may have noticeable weight gain.
Depression
Feeling unusually sad? A lesser-known side effect of some allergy drugs with antihistaminesis depression. The sedative in these medicines can exacerbate existing depression or aggravate underlying depression, Sheikh says. If you're prone to the illness talk with your doctor about allergy treatments that won't affect your mood.
Anxiety
If you feel a little amped up from your allergy treatment, pseudoephedrine might be to blame. This class of medication has an effect similar to drinking several cups of coffee, Sheikh says. The stimulant properties of these medicines give some people heart palpitations, insomnia and anxiety. If you're prone to panic attacks, these types of drugs will only worsen your condition.
Altered Taste and Smell
If you've noticed your favorite foods have lost their flavor, the problem might not be your taste buds. The preservatives and fragrances added to some prescription nasal sprays can sometimes change your sense of taste and smell. You might notice things just don't smell the same or as sharp or food is bland. Adding insult to injury, these additives can also increase your symptoms as you may be allergic to them. There are several sprays that don't contain fragrances or preservatives, so check with your doctor.
Long-Term Health Issues
People with skin allergies often find relief from topical steroid creams. But some prescription creams can be quite strong. The stronger the steroid, the more parts of the body it's used on, and the longer it is used can lead to illnesses associated with long-term steroid use including decreased growth rate in kids, increased chance of developing cataracts, osteoporosis and diabetes.
Infertility in Women
Though there are no studies to confirm the connection, some fertility specialists believe that the drying of mucous membranes caused by some allergy drugs could lead to infertility in women. Until there is conclusive evidence, seek the advice of your doctor.
Impairment of Thinking
The same antihistamine in allergy medicines that cause drowsiness and sedation can also be responsible for some cognitive impairment. You may notice that you feel sluggish, slow or not as mentally sharp as usual; your kids may have trouble functioning in school. Some people may experience difficulty driving as a result, so think twice about getting behind the wheel if you're taking a drug that causes drowsiness.
