Dr Punam Krishan warned some folks might make themselves really feel worse by taking the remedy incorrectly
Dr Punam confronted some misconceptions about antihistamines (Picture: BBC)
Hundreds of thousands throughout the UK expertise hay fever and different allergic reactions, main them to make use of antihistamines for symptom administration. But, regardless of how broadly used this remedy is, Dr Punam Krishan cautioned that many individuals could also be utilizing it improperly and urged folks to not discontinue their medicines merely due to sure headlines.
Talking on BBC’s Morning Reside, the NHS GP cautioned that one particular declare suggesting antihistamines might set off weight achieve is perhaps particularly dangerous, even when there’s some scientific foundation to it.
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She mentioned: “Histamine can have an effect on issues like your starvation and vitality ranges so in fact antihistamines can have an effect on that. This is not a typical phenomenon, it isn’t a aspect impact that is listed. There’s not an enormous quantity of proof that means antihistamines, particularly newer ones which can be non-drowsy, trigger any vital weight achieve.
“I do not need anybody panicking. I do not need anybody stopping their antihistamines. In case you discover you might be hungrier simply be conscious of that and if one thing’s affecting you want fatigue converse to your GP and we will all the time change which one you are on.”
?????? Hay fever is hitting more durable than ever, and hundreds of thousands are taking antihistamines every day.
Dr Punam explains what to keep away from and whether or not antihistamines actually could cause weight achieve.
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— BBC Morning Reside (@BBCMorningLive) April 24, 2026
Histamine is a chemical launched by the physique when it believes it has encountered one thing harmful. In instances of allergic reactions and hay fever, this response is considerably extra extreme than needed.
These reactions produce signs together with sneezing, coughing, a blocked or runny nostril, itchy or pink eyes, lack of odor, complications and fatigue. Antihistamines perform by inhibiting histamine within the physique, stopping the allergic response earlier than it even begins.
Dr Punam revealed she has been prescribing antihistamines as early as February this 12 months, however famous that some folks might be taking them incorrectly. She confused that timing and consistency are much more essential than many realise, and defined how the liquid used to clean down the remedy might truly render it ineffective.
She mentioned: “With hay fever, it isn’t nearly what antihistamine you are taking, it is about once you take it and once you begin it. If you already know seasonal allergic reactions is a factor for you, try to get forward of the curve and begin taking them early.”
She additionally tackled additional misconceptions surrounding the remedy, asserting that growing a tolerance to antihistamines is solely not attainable: “Nor do you develop a tolerance to it. If one thing is working for you, completely take it yearly, it can do the trick.”
Some folks cease taking antihistamines as soon as their signs subside, which may truly worsen their situation by triggering “rebound signs”.
The NHS GP confirmed there isn’t any single antihistamine that outperforms the others, urging folks to experiment with totally different choices till they uncover one which fits them, then stay in keeping with that selection. The NHS web site incorporates a lookup instrument that may simplify this search and help folks to find out extra concerning the antihistamines they’re presently utilizing.
Dr Punam added: “I believe that is lesser identified. There is a quite common antihistamine referred to as fexofenadine, which individuals take now.
“What folks do not know is that there’s a transporter within the intestine that fexofenadine is absorbed through. Now, there are particular fruit juices like orange juice, grapefruit juice and apple juice that may truly block that transporter, so it implies that the absorption of fexofenadine is affected and considerably lowered by about 70%.”
The NHS web site carries a comparable warning: “Don’t drink grapefruit juice, apple juice or orange juice whilst you’re taking fexofenadine as the drugs might not work as properly.”
Dr Punam recommended that these taking this antihistamine ought to swallow their remedy with water and keep away from fruit juices for a few hours earlier than and after consuming the pill.
Antihistamines can even have adversarial reactions with different drinks, together with alcohol, which may worsen hayfever signs by elevating histamine ranges within the physique, or intensify the drowsy unintended effects related to sure antihistamines.
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