what is the best medicine to take for allergies?

Hi Gina,

There is no one right answer to this question. Different medications work best for different people. Some swear by Zyrtec, while others love Allegra, or even Flonase nasal spray.

Allergy medicines are sold both over the counter and by prescription. Older, cheaper antihistamines (first generation), such as Benadryl, are widely available, but often cause drowsiness. Second generation (Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex) aren't as likely to cause drowsiness and can be highly effective. Both Zyrtec and Claritin are available without a prescription.

The newest entries into the allergy medicine market are the nasal steroid sprays, all prescription.

Finding which will be the best choice for you is often a matter of trial and error. You can read this article I wrote a few months ago for more information on your choices.