Can allergy medicines suddenly stop working? I hear this all the time from my patients. They'll tell me that the "developed an immunity" to a certain medicine, and after a period of time -- say months to years -- the allergy medicine simply stops working, and they need to change to another medicine. Could this actually happen? Possibly. We know that in pharmacology, certain medicines, when overused, can stop working as well since the body will start making less of the receptor for that medicine. For example, this is exactly what happens with the overuse of albuterol for the treatment of asthma. However, I don't know of any science behind why other allergy medicines, such as antihistamines and nasal sprays, stop working.
Recent surveys do show that both adults and children experience the loss of effectiveness of allergy medicines. Nearly 2 out of every 3 adults report that they have stopped an allergy medicine in the past because it stopped working, typically within a matter of months. And, nearly 20% of adults report changing allergy medicines in the past year because the medicine stopped working. Children seem to experience a loss of effectiveness of allergy medicines as well, with nearly 10% changing allergy medicines within the past year, and more than 1 in 4 children needing to change nasal sprays regularly because of the benefit "wearing off".
So, do people actually develop an "immunity" to allergy medicines as a reason why the medicines stop working? It's doubtful, in my opinion. But there's no doubt that people seem to think that the allergy medicine loses its effectiveness, for whatever reason, which results in the need to try something else.
Read more:
- Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis
- Symptom-Based Approach to Allergy Treatment
- Best Medicines for Allergies
I takeopc-3every day and I feel great!
My 4 year old boy has suffered of hay fever since born. He has taken long treatments of Clarityn, Aerius, Zyrtec and Allegra. All of these antihistamines have worked well for 2 months. After that period of time they lose their effectiveness and he tends to need other medicines. I have taken the decision to stop giving him the antihistamines because they dont really work. If I ever give him medicine for allergy I use it only for a maximum of two weeks and then stop.
My internist told me there is not going to be just one medication that will fix my allergy problems. The key to any of them working is to build up a level in your blood and keep that there; so now I take the Claritin all year long, even in the winter when there are no allergies, and then when spring comes I supplement it with the Flonase. This has helped a lot. For those who are congested, try Goldenseal (herb) it works great.
Thanks for the great tips Gina!
I have runny/stuffy nose everyday, my nose runs every few minutes and I always have trouble breathing through it. I’ve used Claritin Liquid Gels and Advil Cold and Sinus, they will work for a month or two then it stops working. I don’t have insurance anymore or else I’d go to a doctor already. I used to have allergies only in the Spring and Winter, but it was not until last Summer that I started to have allergies everyday, all year long.
It sucks because it ruins my summer vacation and it makes it difficult for me to focus in class now that school has started. I always have to bring a box full of kleenex just to wipe my nose every couple minutes. I wish there was a way to permanently relieve it. I can’t stand this anymore.
This comment is for V. I had the same problem for years until I started using Singular. You say you are in school, do you mean college? If so you should have some kind of healthcare from the school. I was prescribed Singulair from the school nurses and it made a world of difference. Good luck.