What to Know About Antihistamines and Asthma

Antihistamine use for asthma can play a crucial role in treating and managing allergic asthma, which is set off by the immune system response to an allergen exposure. Around 60% of all people with asthma have allergic asthma.

These drugs aren't usually the first-line therapy but may be part of a plan to deal with histamine release that's responsible for shortness of breath and other symptoms. They're not for everyone, though; people with chronic liver or kidney disease, for example, may need to take lower doses or avoid antihistamines entirely.

This article explains how and why antihistamine use may be an option for some people with asthma, while others may not benefit. It discusses side effects, drug interactions, and other concerns.

An illustration with information about what to know about antihistamines and asthma
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health.

How Antihistamines Help in Asthma

People primarily use antihistamines to treat or prevent nasal allergy symptoms. They're effective for seasonal and year-round allergies, as well as other causes of itching and urticaria (hives).

Researchers are still working to identify causes of allergic asthma, but both your family history and genetic makeup, along with environmental factors like tobacco smoke or dust, play a role. You're more likely to have allergic asthma if you or a family member live with hay fever or eczema.

Antihistamines can help to relieve symptoms caused by your body's response to allergens, opening up your airway passages and making it easier to breathe. Some studies suggest the benefit may be especially useful in people with both bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis (the runny nose of hay fever).

To Treat Allergies

Antihistamines are not a first-line treatment for allergic asthma. That's because histamine is not the only chemical involved in asthma symptoms. However, they can help to relieve asthma symptoms triggered by histamine, including:

When antihistamines are used to control allergy symptoms, there can sometimes be a slight improvement in allergic asthma.

Histamine may play a more significant role in specific subtypes of allergic asthma, but this isn't well understood. Therefore, people use antihistamines for allergy symptoms with a limited expectation for improving allergic asthma.

Types of Antihistamines

Antihistamines are available over the counter (OTC) and prescription as tablets, capsules, liquid gels, eye drops, and nasal sprays. They prevent histamine from binding to receptors that trigger symptoms. Some generic drugs are available but common OTC antihistamine brands include:

  • Allegra (fexofenadine)
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • Claritin (loratadine)
  • Xyzal (levocetirizine)
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Some providers choose Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin as the best antihistamines for asthma relief. But they don't treat acute asthma symptoms and should never be taken for an asthma attack.

Combined Therapy for Asthma

If you have allergic asthma, your healthcare provider may recommend antihistamines in combination with other asthma medications, among them:

Establishing a Treatment Plan

Talk to a healthcare provider about whether an antihistamine should have a place in your asthma management plan. They'll want to consider the specific symptoms you experience and how often they occur.

Tests

A healthcare provider may want to do a blood or skin test to confirm you have an allergy. That way, you will know which things to avoid, if possible.

They also may want to measure your lung function with spirometry. This test estimates your degree of airway constriction before and after using an inhaler.

Once the tests are complete, your asthma will be classified based on severity. This classification will influence your treatment plan and the combination of medications your doctor prescribes.

Allergy Treatment

The best allergy treatment is prevention. You may prevent symptoms by steering clear of the allergen involved, but this can be challenging.

Among the most common allergens are things that often are hard to avoid, such as:

Suppose you can avoid an allergen through mold remediation or pest control. In that case, you may be able to eliminate allergy symptoms without medications, or you may only need to use them for a short time.

If it's not possible to avoid allergens or if your symptoms persist, your healthcare provider may also discuss alternative treatments, including medication or immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets).

Talk to your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you currently take. Some drugs may pose minor to severe interaction risks.

Inhalers

An inhaler is a prescription medication that you breathe directly into the lungs. They are essential for asthma treatment and may be short-acting or long-acting.

A rescue inhaler (Albuterol) is a short-acting medication that you use to relieve symptoms of an allergy attack. In addition to these short-acting medications, your healthcare provider may recommend long-acting controller medications if your asthma symptoms are frequent and severe. These medications include inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers.

Inhaled medications for daily use are often unnecessary for people with mild or moderate asthma. So, talk to a doctor to see if your asthma is severe enough to warrant a long-acting medication.

Precautions and Contraindications

Antihistamines are generally considered safe. That's often true even in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Even so, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking an antihistamine.

Who Shouldn’t Take Antihistamines?

Some people shouldn't take antihistamines. For example, people with known allergies or hypersensitivities to antihistamines should avoid them. Certain medical conditions can make taking OTC or prescription antihistamines risky.

For instance, if you have phenylketonuria (PKU) (the inability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine), be aware that some quick-dissolve antihistamine tablets contain aspartame, which contains phenylalanine.

In addition, you should not take Xyzal if you have end-stage renal disease or are undergoing dialysis. Doctors typically prescribe a lower antihistamine dose to those with any stage of kidney impairment or liver disease. That's because of an increased risk of toxicity.

Warning: Combination Allergy Medications

Antihistamines are available in combination allergy products with decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine. However, these medications can interact with other drugs and raise the risk of side effects. So, consult a healthcare provider before taking a combination product.

Anticholinergics Risks

First-generation antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl, Ala-Hist IR) are considered anticholinergic drugs. These types of medications block the activity of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that sends messages within the brain and throughout the central nervous system.

Anticholinergics can worsen certain conditions or lead to severe complications. For this reason, talk with a healthcare provider before an antihistamine, especially if you have any of the following conditions:

Research has also found a link between anticholinergics and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. None of the second-generation antihistamines are anticholinergics. Therefore, those with a family history of Alzheimer's—or those taking Benadryl frequently—may want to switch to one of these drugs.

Dosage

Antihistamine dosage depends on the medication and may vary depending on your overall treatment plan. For example, some people with allergies may take an antihistamine daily year-round, while others may only take it seasonally or on an as-needed basis.

OTC antihistamines commonly come in tablet, chewable, dissolvable, and syrup preparations. Prescription medications, like Clarinex and Xyzal, typically come in tablets or syrup.

Antihistamine Generation Availability Typical Starting Dose
Benadryl 1st OTC Adults and children 12 and up: 25 to 50mg taken every four to six hours as needed (but no more than six doses in 24 hours); Children 6 to 11: 12.5 to 25mg (5 to 10 mL) every four to six hours as needed (but no more than six doses in 24 hours)
Claritin 2nd OTC  Adults and children 6 and up: 10mg once a day 
Zyrtec 2nd  OTC  Adults and children 6 and up: 5 or 10mg taken daily
Allegra 2nd OTC Adults and children ages 12+: 120mg (60 mg twice a day) or 180 mg once a day; Children ages 6 to 11: 60mg (30mg twice a day) 
Clarinex 2nd  Prescription Adults and children 12 and up: 5 mg once a day; Children ages 6 to 11: 2.5mg a day; Children 1 to 5: 1.25 mg (1/2 tsp of oral solution) once a day; Children 6 months to 11 months: 1mg once a day
Xyzal 2nd Prescription Adults and children 12 and up: 5mg taken once a day in the evening; Children 6 to 11: 2.5mg (1/2 tablet or 1 tsp. oral solution) taken once a day in the evening

Modifications

A healthcare provider may recommend a lower starting dose of antihistamines if you have liver or kidney impairment. That's because you may not clear antihistamines as efficiently, increasing the risk of toxicity.

Older adults are more likely to have impaired liver or kidney function and may benefit from lowered dosages. If you have kidney or liver disease, talk to a healthcare provider before starting antihistamines to determine a correct starting dose.

How to Take and Store

You can take most antihistamines with or without food.

People generally take second-generation antihistamines in the morning. If you're prescribed an antihistamine and a leukotriene modifier for allergic asthma, it's common to take the antihistamine in the morning and the leukotriene modifier in the evening.

You should store most antihistamines at room temperature. Read the product label for exact ranges to ensure they don't get too warm or cold.

Side Effects

Antihistamines are typically well-tolerated. However, they do carry the risk of side effects, especially first-generation antihistamines. Side effects are also more likely when you take high doses of antihistamines.

Common

Common side effects include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Feeling irritable or nervous
  • Blurred vision
  • Decreased appetite

Do not drive or engage in activities that require alertness when you first take an antihistamine until you know how it affects you. Asthma medications, especially rescue inhalers, may also cause dizziness and amplify this antihistamine side effect.

If you are older than 60, you are at greater risk of becoming drowsy with an antihistamine and may have an increased risk of falling.

Tell your healthcare provider if you feel dizzy after taking an antihistamine. Your medication may need to be adjusted or changed if you have allergic asthma.

Sleepiness is more likely with first-generation than second-generation antihistamines for people of all ages.

Severe

If you experience any of the following while taking an antihistamine, get medical attention immediately:

  • You have new nasal symptoms, with nose irritation or nosebleeds
  • Your allergy symptoms are not getting better
  • You are having trouble taking your antihistamines

Contact your healthcare provider if common side effects of antihistamine use, like vision changes or feeling nervous, become symptoms that feel severe or don't improve.

Warnings and Interactions

If you take any other medications, ask a doctor to check for any interactions that antihistamines may have before taking them. Of course, it's always worth consulting with your pharmacist about this as well.

Never assume that your doctor or pharmacist knows about the medications you take. If you take any of the following medications, talk to a healthcare provider before taking antihistamines:

  • Antibiotics and antifungals
  • Asthma medications
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Pain medications
  • Psychiatric medications
  • Sedatives

In addition, older adults may have an increased risk of falls and hospitalization if they combine muscle relaxants with antihistamines.

Summary

People use antihistamines to treat allergy symptoms. They are not a first-line treatment for asthma, but they can help relieve allergy symptoms that trigger asthma. In addition, antihistamines are sometimes combined with other medications to treat allergic asthma. Studies suggest histamines may play a critical role in certain subtypes of allergic asthma, but more research is needed.

A doctor will need to assess your situation to determine if antihistamines fit into your asthma treatment plan. First, they will determine which allergens trigger your asthma. Then, they will help you avoid those allergens. Finally, they will evaluate the other medications you take to see if it is safe to include antihistamines as part of your treatment plan.

Antihistamines are generally safe, but they aren't suitable for everyone. If you have a known allergy to the drug, you should avoid taking it. People taking certain other medications, or with health conditions including kidney or liver disease, may be more at risk when using them.

19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Additional Reading

By Pat Bass, MD
Dr. Bass is a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.