Is It Safe to Take Allergy Medication Every Day?

More than 25% of the U.S. population experiences seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever.¹ Allergy season typically spans the months of March through May, which are peak pollen seasons.

If you need to keep your allergies under control, allergy medications can help soothe symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes during allergy season. Most allergy medications are safe for short-term use, and only some should be taken daily.

Can you Take Allergy Medication Every Day?

Certain allergy medications can be taken every day, but others should be reserved for short-term use.

“The two basic classes of allergy medication are the nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines, which come in oral tablets, eyedrops, and a nasal spray”, William Reisacher, MD, an otolaryngic allergist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, told Health.²

Steroid sprays need to be used daily to be effective, but should not be used for more than three months out of the year for allergies. Some nasal steroid sprays, like Flonase, can be purchased over the counter, while others, like Azelastine, require a prescription.

In addition to nasal steroid sprays, other allergy medications, like leukotriene receptor antagonists, are also safe to take daily.

What Are the Safest Allergy Medications for Daily Use?

Nasal steroid sprays and prescription medications, such as leukotriene receptor antagonists like montelukast (Singulair), are the safest allergy medications for long-term use.

“Leukotriene receptor antagonists are prescription medications used for asthma and allergies for many years, and they have a good safety profile, even after extended use,” said Reisacher.

Keep in mind that although these medications are indicated for long-term use, they may cause side effects in some people. For example, research shows that montelukast is associated with an increased risk of neurological and psychiatric issues, especially in younger people.³

There are also some side effects associated with nasal steroid use. “Daily nasal steroid use such as Flonase or Nasacort can increase the risk of nasal septal perforation and nosebleeds,” Tania Farmer, MD, ENTSurgeon & Chief Medical Ambassador for Nampons, told Health.

“There’s also a known link to worsening cataracts and glaucoma, so those with eye problems need to be careful,” she said, adding that long-term nasal steroid use may lead to growth issues in children, though more research is needed.⁴

If you have severe allergies and want a medication that’s safe to take long-term, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Which Meds Aren’t Safe To Use Daily?

Generally, antihistamines, as well as antihistamines combined with decongestants, aren’t recommended for long-term use.

Antihistamines

You shouldn’t use antihistamines every day, as they can lose their therapeutic benefit quickly with extended use.² You can also become dependent on them.

“Antihistamines should be used on demand, not on schedule, and only when the symptoms of sneezing, itching, and runny nose are impacting the quality of life in a significant way,” said Reisacher.

Antihistamines are separated into two groups based on their effects on the central nervous system: sedating or first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl and Atarax, and nonsedating or second-generation antihistamines, like Claritin and Allegra. Sedating antihistamines like Benadryl tend to make people drowsy because they easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

“For certain first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), there’s been a link to increased risk of dementia with long-term use," said Farmer. "This risk is avoided with second and third-generation antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), and fexofenadine (Allegra)."

Second-generation antihistamines are less likely to cross the blood-brain barrier, a barrier between the blood vessels of the brain and the brain tissue that prevents harmful substances from reaching the brain.⁵

While all antihistamines are meant for short-term use, second-generation antihistamines are considered safer than first-generation antihistamines as they’re less likely to cause side effects, like sedation, dry mouth, and stomach irritation.⁶

However, this doesn’t mean you should use second-generation antihistamines every day for a prolonged time period unless your healthcare provider OKs it.

Antihistamines With Decongestants

It’s also important to know the risks associated with antihistamines made with decongestants, which are usually labeled with a “D" after the name. Examples of antihistamines made with decongestants include Benadryl-D and Claritin-D. Reisacher said that antihistamines made with decongestants can cause increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia.⁷

“Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion called rhinitis medicamentosa when taken for more than three days. Long-term use can also cause the blood vessels in the nose to constrict, and this can lead to a nasal septal perforation (a hole in the septum that divides the nasal cavity),” said Farmer.

If you need a decongestant, Reisacher recommends taking a separate decongestant at a much lower dose than what’s found in most antihistamines made with decongestants.

Other Ways to Manage Allergy Symptoms

If you’d like to try a more natural route to tame your allergy symptoms, you’re in luck. There are ways to manage allergy symptoms without taking medications.

Farmer recommends these non-medicated alternatives to manage allergy symptoms daily:

• Keep windows closed in the house and car to lessen pollen exposure
• Check local pollen counts before leaving the house and plan outside errands when counts are lower
• Use saline nasal spray or flushes regularly to clear allergens from the nose
• Clean the air you breathe with an air purifier that runs 24/7
• Hydrate the air you breathe by using a bedside humidifier
• Consider removing pollen-laden clothes and shoes before going deep into the house
• Keep dust and dirt accumulation down in the home by opting for hardwood versus carpet flooring and avoiding excessive clutter
• Keeps pets out of the bedroom
• Eat a healthy diet and get good rest to keep the immune system healthy
• Keep the nose healthy and hydrated
• Nosebleeds are common during the allergy season due to inflamed and dry nasal passages
• Keeping safe, effective first-aid remedies on hand helps those with allergies and nosebleeds feel more confident and prepared when managing exacerbations

Though many people can effectively manage their allergy symptoms without medications, others with more severe allergies may require medication.

If you’re struggling with allergy symptoms and can’t seem to get relief, Reisacher recommends visiting an allergy specialist. An allergist can confirm an allergy diagnosis and discuss other management strategies, which may include medication or other treatments, such as allergy immunotherapy.  

Sources:

1. CDC. Allergies.
2. Farzam, K., Sabir, S., & O’Rourke, M. C. (2025). Antihistamines. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
3. Jordan A, Toennesen LL, Eklöf J, et al. Psychiatric Adverse Effects of Montelukast-A Nationwide Cohort Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023;11(7):2096-2103.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2023.03.010 
4. Mener DJ, Shargorodsky J, Varadhan R, Lin SY. Topical intranasal corticosteroids and growth velocity in children: a meta-analysis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2015;5(2):95-103. doi:10.1002/alr.21430
5. Antihistamines. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; January 16, 2017.
6. Linton S, Hossenbaccus L, Ellis AK. Evidence-based use of antihistamines for treatment of allergic conditions. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023;131(4):412-420. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.07.019
7. De Sutter AI, Eriksson L, van Driel ML. Oral antihistamine-decongestant-analgesic combinations for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;1(1):CD004976. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004976.pub4

Important Notice: This article was originally published at www.health.com by Jillian Kubala, RD, where all credits are due. Medically reviewed by Jurairat J. Molina, MD

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