Food Allergies: Medications

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Medications

Medicine is used to treat some food allergies. Medicines to treat a severe allergic reaction or an anaphylactic reaction are packaged in a prescribed allergy kit.

For mild allergic reactions, people often try nonprescription medicines first. You can try prescription medicines if nonprescription medicines fail to control allergy symptoms or cause drowsiness or other bothersome side effects.

Medication Choices

Medicines used to treat a severe allergic reaction include:

• Epinephrine. Epinephrine is given as a shot. It acts quickly to stop the further release of histamine and to relax the muscles that help you breathe.
• Antihistamines. Antihistamines block the action of histamine during an allergic reaction and help improve symptoms such as itching and sneezing.
• Corticosteroids. These medicines help reduce inflammation.

Medicines used to relieve mild food allergy symptoms include:

• Antihistamines and corticosteroids for hives, gastrointestinal symptoms, or sneezing and a runny nose.
• Bronchodilators for asthma symptoms. Bronchodilators relax the airways of the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

What To Think About

Medicines that treat symptoms of food allergies can have side effects. They are typically used for short periods and are discontinued as soon as symptoms are resolved. The best way to avoid symptoms is to avoid the food you are allergic to. Read all food labels, and be aware that sometimes food allergens are called by other names on food labels.

There is no medicine that you can take before eating a certain food that will reliably prevent an allergic reaction to that food.

Allergy shots (desensitization therapy) for food allergies are considered experimental and are not recommended.

A recent small study of a medicine for peanut allergy showed promising results. The medicine, called an anti-IgE drug, binds to the antibodies (IgE) released during an allergic reaction to peanut.¹⁰ A larger study is under way to find out whether this medicine is safe and effective for people who have peanut allergies.

Last updated:	April 05, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC