May 14, 2009
Are there any long term effects of being on allergy medications?
I recently learned through allergy tests that I have allergies to 58 different environmental things as well as a food allergy to hazelnuts. The doc recommended allergy shots which I am currently researching, but in the meantime prescribed Clarinex, Nasonex (steroid nasal spray) and Pataday (allergy eye drops) to take daily. I am weighing pros and cons. I realize immunotherapy isn't 100% effective. I'm also aware going that route will involve a long term commitment to getting allergy shots on (at a minimum) a weekly basis. What are the drawbacks of being on allergy meds for years? Won't steroid nasal sprays cause some funky side effects? I should add that since being on these allergy meds, I have been enjoying the best spring of my entire life. I smelled Easter lilies for the first time this month, and have finally learned what cut grass smells like. It's also the first spring I've not had a sinus infection. The meds do work for me.
Filed under allergy cure by Waqas Yousaf
Comments on Are there any long term effects of being on allergy medications? »
There are no known adverse effects from being on antihistamine medications long-term (like Clarinex). They are, in general, some of the safest medications we know of. Presumably mast cell stabilizers (like Patanol) are almost as safe. Inhaled steroids have a reasonably safe track record. Serious side effects are not common, but theoretically possible, the most serious being local or even systemic immune supression at high doses. That being said, the worst anyone runs into is yeast infections where the medication is administered, and this is rarely dangerous. More subtlely, the skin where the medication is administered my thin out over time, and this may lead eventually to more frequent nosebleeds in theory. Again, it is not clear if this is a concern in practice.
As always, discuss these and any questions with your doctor. Good luck!
I think congratulations are in order! Control of allergy symptoms is a wonderful thing. I've asked my allergist about long term effects of medications. He said that pretty much the only concern for long term use would be not getting relief from the medication any more. (Which is actually quite scary!) However, because these medications haven't been around a long time (in comparison with things like Tylenol or antibiotics) I don't know if they can know without a doubt that there isn't long term side effects. I have been on Zyrtec or Allegra (loratidine/Clartin didn't seem to help at all) for many years without any problems. I did shots for a while and they certainly weren't fun. I had a lot of problems reacting to the shots (think hot, swollen, itchy welt from shoulder to elbow) and even 5 years later will get small welts on the back of my arm whenever allergies get really bad.
Anyhow, I think you shouldn't worry too much about side effects from the medicines if you're getting relief. I would be a lot more concerned about long term problems by uncontrolled allergies. Typically allergy sufferers are more prone to infection, using a lot of antibiotics which do have long term effects that are known. Hopefully you can figure out something that works for you! Good luck!
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