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Allergy — what to take?

An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to substances that are normally harmless (pollen, dust, food, medications). It presents with itching, hives, rhinitis, asthma, anaphylaxis.

Also known as: allergic reaction allergies histamine
6 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts, releasing histamine, to normally harmless substances such as pollen, dust, certain foods or medicines, causing itching, hives or a runny nose. Over-the-counter options include oral antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine), a mometasone nasal spray or a hydrocortisone cream. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation: seek emergency help if you develop difficulty breathing or a sensation of choking.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for allergy

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Dyspnea, wheezing, sensation of choking
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue
  • Extensive generalized hives
  • Loss of consciousness, marked dizziness
  • Severe reaction after a new food/medication
  • Asthma attacks in an allergic context

Types of allergies

Respiratory (allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma), cutaneous (hives, dermatitis, eczema), food (milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, soy, wheat), drug (antibiotics, NSAIDs), insect stings, latex.

OTC antihistamines

Second generation, non-sedating — first choice: loratadine (Claritine), cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal, Aerius), fexofenadine (Telfast), desloratadine, bilastine. 1 tablet per day, effective for rhinitis, hives, pruritus.

First generation — chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine — sedative effect, useful at night for severe itching. Avoid during the day if you drive.

Topical — hydrocortisone 0.5-1% creams for local lesions, calamine lotions for hives.

Nasal decongestants

Corticosteroid sprays — mometasone (Nasonex), fluticasone (Flixonase), budesonide (Rhinocort). Effective for chronic allergic rhinitis. Maximum effect after 1-2 weeks of continuous use.

For the eyes

Drops with olopatadine, ketotifen, cromoglicate — relieve allergic conjunctivitis.

Anaphylaxis — emergency

Severe systemic allergic reaction: generalized hives, Quincke edema (face, lips, tongue, throat), dyspnea, wheezing, hypotension, collapse. The treatment is intramuscular adrenaline (EpiPen / Epihaler auto-injector pen) — then call an ambulance urgently.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for allergy

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for allergy

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for allergy

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For allergy most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for allergy runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Mâncărime

Mâncărimea (pruritul) e una dintre cele mai frecvente probleme dermatologice. Cauze: piele uscată, alergii, dermatită, boli sistemice (tiroidă, ficat, rinichi).

 Symptom

Urticarie

Urticaria = erupție cu plăci eritematoase, pruriginoase, migratorii, care apar și dispar în ore. Acută (sub 6 săptămâni) sau cronică (peste 6 săptămâni).

 Symptom

Rinită alergică

Rinita alergică (febra fânului) e inflamația mucoasei nazale prin reacție alergică — strănut, prurit nazal, rinoree apoasă, obstrucție. Afectează 15-25% din populație.

 Condition

Astm bronșic

Astmul e o boală inflamatorie cronică a căilor respiratorii, cu obstrucție variabilă și hiperreactivitate bronșică. Simptome: dispnee, wheezing, tuse, senzație de constricție toracică.

 Condition

Dermatită atopică

Dermatita atopică e boală cronică inflamatorie cutanată cu prurit, uscăciune, eczeme recurente. Apare în contextul triadei atopice (astm, rinita alergică). Debut frecvent în copilărie.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

Which is the best antihistamine?
Cetirizine and loratadine are the most studied. Bilastine and desloratadine have the best safety profile (they do not cross the blood-brain barrier).
Can I give Claritine to a child?
Loratadine: from 2 years (syrup). Cetirizine: from 2 years. Desloratadine: from 1 year. Doses depend on weight — read the package leaflet.
Why does my skin itch without visible hives?
Dry skin, atopic dermatitis, latent allergy, internal diseases (thyroid, liver, kidneys). Antihistamine + moisturizing. If it persists — evaluation.
Do antihistamines cause dependence?
No — they do not cause dependence. They can be taken daily long-term (especially 2nd generation).

See also

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