The 11 Best OTC Allergy Medicines, Approved by Allergy Experts

Chances are you’ve heard of Benadryl before now. It’s a first-generation antihistamine that is more likely to cause drowsiness than its second-generation counterparts. That’s why we recommend it for occasional nighttime use when your symptoms may interfere with sleep. The active ingredient, diphenhydramine HCl, is also in many over-the-counter sleep aids, such as Unisom.

Benadryl comes in many forms, but these liquid-filled capsules are dye-free and fairly easy to swallow. You can find tablet, liquid, chewable, and extra-strength versions at most pharmacies and drugstores. While Dr. Canfield says that many allergists recommend against taking it daily for sleep (which is an off-label use), it may be helpful on occasion.

These quick-dissolve Zyrtec tablets take only a few seconds to break down in your mouth. They’re a worthwhile option if you struggle with swallowing capsules or prefer something that doesn't require water. We love the convenience — they’re easy to take on the go and don’t require measuring like liquid versions.

These contain the same active ingredient as regular Zyrtec tablets (cetirizine hydrochloride) and should provide comparable relief. The flavor is a bonus, especially for children who may struggle with other forms of medication. It only requires one tablet every 24 hours — an extra bonus if you tend to forget to take medicine throughout the day.

“Nasal steroids like Flonase help reduce inflammation and swelling in your nose, and thus they relieve symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and postnasal drip,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, a board-certified allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network.

When used as directed, Flonase provides all-day relief and is safe for daily use in adults. The manufacturer recommends using it once a day. We like that this nasal spray targets inflammation and swelling directly in the nasal passages all allergy season long.

Since it’s not a corticosteroid, Astepro may be a better choice if you’re sensitive to steroids or have experienced side effects from other nasal sprays. You can decide whether to take two sprays in each nostril once a day or one spray in each nostril twice daily. You shouldn’t use more than four sprays per day.

Pataday contains the active ingredient olopatadine (an antihistamine) and therefore blocks histamines and reduces the release of chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, says Meenal Agarwal, OD, a board-certified optometrist and founder of three optometry practices in Ontario, Canada.

She adds that Pataday can relieve symptoms associated with allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye), ocular allergies, and inflammation such as redness, itchy and watery eyes, and eyelid swelling. You need one drop per eye, once a day, in the morning or evening.

Dr. Agarwal points out that Pataday is most effective when used consistently. “I recommend my patients use it during the entire allergy season period. So if they know they usually get allergies in the fall and the spring, use it for those few months consistently and stop in the winter and summer months,” she says. The main drawbacks are that it can cause temporary eye irritation or blurred vision (which usually only lasts a few minutes while the drops settle) and that it requires a 10-minute wait before inserting contact lenses.

Children’s Allegra is our top pick for managing mild indoor and outdoor allergies in children. It’s a second-generation antihistamine — meaning less drowsiness — that works fast and lasts up to 12 hours. This liquid form is alcohol and dye-free and comes in grape and berry flavors. There’s also a chewable orange cream version if your child despises taking liquid medication.

Like other antihistamines, Children’s Allegra can help with symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and an itchy throat triggered by allergens. But unlike some adult formulas, it contains sugar, so it’s not ideal if you’re limiting or avoiding your child’s sugar intake.

Rather than relying on stand-alone antihistamines, some allergy sufferers find relief by combining a decongestant with an antihistamine. Claritin-D is one of the best options on the market for this purpose because it targets common allergy symptoms in addition to the swelling that leads to sinus pressure and nasal congestion, says Thomas So, PharmD, senior manager of the consumer drug information group at First Databank in San Francisco.

These extended-release tablets are nondrowsy and can provide relief for up to 12 hours. (There’s also a 24-hour extended-release version with twice the medication.) It starts working within 30 minutes, so you can take it as needed. But here’s the catch: Claritin-D contains pseudoephedrine — a stimulant that can cause restlessness, anxiety, and increased blood pressure in some, says So, who recommends taking it during the daytime to reduce sleep disturbances. It’s also not recommended that you use this medication long-term without consulting your doctor.

If you’ve ever found yourself itching on a hot summer night while swatting away mosquitoes, you’ve probably used Benadryl lotion of one form or another. Because Benadryl Extra-Strength Itch-Stopping Gel contains the same active ingredient as oral Benadryl pills, diphenhydramine HCl, it combats allergic reactions on your skin effectively, with minimal side effects.

If you’re looking for a simple way to address the congestion that often accompanies allergies, Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Spray provides safe relief without any of the side effects of allergy medication. It clears away allergens and mucus while moisturizing nasal passages. Saline sprays don’t contain any medication. Instead, they use a saline (salt) solution to manually clean out your nasal passages.

This saline spray is safe to use on children as young as 2 years old, and it can be used as many times a day as needed. That said, it’s important to remember that saline sprays can only treat nasal symptoms and only work as long as your sinuses remain open. Another downside is that irrigating your sinuses can be a messy business. So, it may not be the best choice for a busy office bathroom.

If you’re an adult who struggles to swallow pills, Claritin’s 24-Hour Liquid allergy medication might be the right choice to address your symptoms. It boasts all of the same benefits of a traditional allergy medication but comes in an easy-to-swallow liquid. While many children’s allergy medications come in cloying flavors like grape and wild berry, Claritin’s 24-Hour Liquid is a soothing honey flavor. Like standard Claritin, its active ingredient is loratadine, which is a nondrowsy antihistamine that treats a wide range of symptoms.

As the name suggests, you only need to take this medication once a day. And though we’ve chosen it as the best liquid for adults, it can also be given to children. Children ages 6 and older should receive the same dose as adults — 10 mL per day — while children ages 2 to 5 should only be given 5 mL per day. (It’s not recommended for children under 2.)