Skip to main content

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are used to treat allergy-related health conditions, such as itching, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, and anaphylaxis. Antihistamines are also sometimes taken for other conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia, motion sickness, and nausea. They primarily work by blocking the effects of histamine.

Why are antihistamines prescribed?

  1. Allergic Rhinitis (23%)
  2. Hives (19%)
  3. Sedation (13%)
  4. Itching (8%)
  5. Anxiety (8%)
  6. Allergic Conjunctivitis (7%)
  7. Skin Allergy (5%)
  8. Anaphylaxis (5%)
  9. Nausea (5%)
  10. Motion Sickness (5%)

Key takeaways

Antihistamines are used to treat symptoms of allergies and hives. They also have other uses, such as managing motion sickness and helping with short-term sleep difficulties. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, a substance in your body that causes allergic symptoms like itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Some antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness, while others are nondrowsy. These medications come in different forms, including oral pills, liquids, and nasal sprays. Examples include cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZzzQuil), and hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril).

Prices for popular Antihistamines medications
Viewing 25 of 56 medications
Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is an antihistamine. This medicine is used to treat allergy symptoms. It is also used to treat anxiety and tension. This medicine can be used with other medicines to induce sleep before surgery. It is more popular than comparable drugs. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is only available as a generic drug; all brands have been discontinued. Generic hydroxyzine hydrochloride is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
Pay less for pet prescriptions with GoodRx for PetsSave up to 80% on medications for dogs, cats, and other pets.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pets Campaign Native Ad - Non holiday image 2024
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is used to treat allergic rhinitis and hives. Zyrtec is an antihistamine, which works by blocking the effects of histamine. The most common form of Zyrtec is a 24-hour tablet. It is also available as a 24-hour capsule. It is available in both generic and brand versions.
Loratadine (Claritin) is an antihistamine used to treat seasonal allergies. It works by blocking the action of histamine which causes allergic symptoms. Brand name loratadine is called Claritin, also available over the counter.
PROMETHAZINE prevents and treats the symptoms of an allergic reaction. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It may also help you relax, go to sleep, and relieve nausea, vomiting, or pain before or after procedures. It can also prevent and treat motion sickness. It works by helping your nervous system calm down by blocking substances in the body that may cause nausea and vomiting. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
LEVOCETIRIZINE prevents and treats allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, or hives. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) is an antihistamine. This medicine is used to treat allergy symptoms. It is also used to treat anxiety and tension. This medicine can be used with other medicines to induce sleep before surgery. It is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in multiple generic and brand versions. It is available in generic and brand versions.Generic hydroxyzine pamoate is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
nasal-spray icon

azelastine

as low as$13
Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) is a moderately priced drug used to relieve itching, running, and stuffiness in the nose. It is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in multiple generic and brand versions. Generic azelastine is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
Promethazine (Phenadoz) is an inexpensive drug used to treat allergic reactions and to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting from illness. It is also used to help treat pain or nausea after surgery. It is available in generic and brand versions. Generic promethazine is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
Promethazine (Phenadoz) is an inexpensive drug used to treat allergic reactions and to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting from illness. It is also used to help treat pain or nausea after surgery. It is available in generic and brand versions. Generic promethazine is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans.
Allegra (fexofenadine) is used to treat seasonal allergies and hives. Allegra is an antihistamine which works by acting on histamine receptors to reduce allergy symptoms. The most common form of allegra is a 24 hour tablet. It is also available as a 12 hour tablet. Allegra is available as a brand and generic. It is covered by some Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
CHLORPHENIRAMINE treats allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, or runny or stuffy nose. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies including sneezing, runny nose, and itching or watering eyes. It works by blocking the action of histamine which causes allergic symptoms. It is available over-the-counter, and also sold as generic diphenhydramine.
Diphenhist (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies including sneezing, runny nose, and itching or watering eyes. It works by blocking the action of histamine which causes allergic symptoms. It is available over-the-counter, and also sold as generic diphenhydramine. Other brands include Benadryl.
Unisom (diphenhydramine or doxylamine) is an antihistamine used as an over-the-counter sleep aid. Antihistamines often cause drowsiness and sedation and can be used to help with difficult falling asleep. Unisom capsules and chewable tablets have diphenhydramine as an active ingredient, and the tablets have doxylamine; both are available as generic antihistamine sleep aids.
ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine used as an over-the-counter sleep aid. Antihistamines often cause drowsiness and sedation and can be used to help with difficult falling asleep. ZzzQuil includes only the sleep-aid active ingredient from NyQuil, without the other ingredients to treat cough and cold symptoms. Diphenhydramine is also available as a generic, and under other brand names including Benadryl and Unisom.
DIPHENHYDRAMINE treats the symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions. It may also be used to prevent and treat motion sickness or the symptoms of Parkinson disease. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
bottle-of-oral-liquid icon

Siladryl

as low as$6
DIPHENHYDRAMINE treats the symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions. It may also be used to prevent and treat motion sickness or the symptoms of Parkinson disease. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
CLEMASTINE treats allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, or runny or stuffy nose. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
DIMENHYDRINATE prevents and treats nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It works by helping your body maintain its sense of balance. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
LEVOCETIRIZINE prevents and treats allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, or hives. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
DIPHENHYDRAMINE treats the symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions. It may also be used to prevent and treat motion sickness or the symptoms of Parkinson disease. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
CETIRIZINE prevents and treats allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, or hives. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
OLOPATADINE treats allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes. It works by reducing the release of substances in your body that cause allergy symptoms, which decreases inflammation in the eye. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
KETOTIFEN treats allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes. It works by reducing the release of substances in your body that cause allergy symptoms, which decreases inflammation in the eye. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
LORATADINE prevents and treats allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, or hives. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
Disclaimer: Popularity is based on total prescriptions for the brand and generic versions of each drug, regardless of the condition being treated. Some drugs are prescribed for multiple conditions.

Subscribe and save

Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

Latest Articles

Browse medications

View All
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.