Anti-allergy tablets like antihistamines can be used to reduce the symptoms of allergies like hay fever, redness on the skin, and inflammation. But these tablets sometimes help to lessen the symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes too. These symptoms are more or less the same as the symptoms of the flu.
So, do antihistamines also aid in treating the flu? This question has been a subject of research for years. But it seems like now we have many clear answers to this question.
This article explores the best anti-allergy medicine in Pakistan and the scientific evidence supporting their use in the treatment of flu, and what are the names of these flu tablets in Pakistan?
Table of Content
Can you use Antihistamines for Flu?
Some researchers suggest that they can be used for treating the flu while other researchers say the opposite thing. It has been a long conflict among numerous healthcare professionals.
- According to a 2012 review, antihistamines are useful for treating cold symptoms.
- While according to a 2015 study, they offer no significant advantages, they just make the flu slightly less severe for the first two days.
- On the other hand, one researcher says that decongestants work better to treat the flu but antihistamines do not work up to that level.
- Overall, you can say that research shows the conflict in the efficiency of antihistamines to treat the flu but experts in Pakistan frequently prescribe antihistamine tablets for treating the flu. And it shows significant results in the treatment of the flu too.
Moreover, try to always take advice from a doctor before starting a new drug. Book an appointment with an allergy specialist to discuss this.
List of Anti-allergy Tablets for Flu
Here you go with the list of best allergy tablets in Pakistan which is taken by the people of Pakistan to treat the flu.
1- Cetirizine (Rigix Tablet)
Rigix (cetirizine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine that is used to treat itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing that are associated with hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Generic and over-the-counter (OTC) versions of the Rigix tablet are both accessible in Pakistan.
What is the price of cetirizine in Pakistan?
This tablet will cost about 80-100 PKR/strip in Pakistan.
What are the uses of cetirizine?
Cetirizine is used to treat the following conditions.
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Itching in eyes or nose
- Sneezing
- Hives
What are the side effects of this anti-allergy tablet?
Below is a list of its side effects.
- Drowsiness
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Feeling tired
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
You may book an appointment to know more about antihistamine tablets in Pakistan with one of the best allergy specialists in Lahore.
2- Clarinex (desloratadine)
The light blue, spherical, film-coated CLARINEX (desloratadine) tablets are intended for oral use and contain the antihistamine desloratadine 5 mg.
Excipients included in CLARINEX tablets include talc USP, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate USP, and microcrystalline cellulose NF. This is one of the best allergy medicine in Pakistan.
What is the price of Clarinex in Pakistan?
This tablet will cost about 300-400 PKR for a pack of 10 tablets.
What are the uses of Clarinex?
This tablet is used to treat the below conditions:
- Hay fever
- Hives
- Itchy skin
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
You may book an appointment with the best allergy specialist to treat your allergy symptoms with the best allergy medicine in Pakistan.
What are the side effects of Clarinex?
The side effects of Clarinex involve
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Upset Stomach
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Trouble in sleeping
Also, read about the best antihistamine creams for skin allergy
3- Fexet Tablet
Fexet or Fexofenadine is a second-generation, non-sedating anti-allergy medication. It functions by halting the synthesis of allergy mediators.
Fexet reduces hives and pruritus and is used to treat allergy, urticaria, and allergy-induced asthma. This medicine is considered one of the best anti-allergy for flu in Pakistan.
What is the price of fexofenadine in Pakistan?
The price of a Fexet 60 mg tablet is 10-15 PKR per tablet in Pakistan.
What are the uses of fexofenadine?
This anti-allergy medicine is used to treat the following problems.
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Asthma
- Pruritus
- Urticaria
What are the side effects of fexofenadine?
The side effects of fexofenadine are given below.
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Elevated hepatic enzymes
- Palpitations
- Dystonic reaction
- Involuntary movements
- Erythema
- Hepatitis
- Edema
- Dyspnea
- Sinus tachycardia
4- Levocetirizine (Xyzal, Xyzal Allergy)
Levocetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis and persistent hives with no identifiable cause. It is marketed under the trade names Xyzal and others. Compared to earlier antihistamines, it is less sedating. It is consumed orally.
What is the price of levocetirizine in Pakistan?
The price of levocetirizine is 50-60 PKR per pack in Pakistan.
What are the uses of levocetirizine?
This is used to treat the following conditions.
- Hay fever
- Hives
- Watery nose
- Sneezing
- Itching
- Irritated nasal passageway
Do you know about the best creams for itching?
What are the side effects of levocetirizine?
The side effects of this tablet are given below.
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Rhinitis (nose inflammation)
- Abdominal pain
- Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx)
5- Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
The drug loratadine is used to treat allergies and is marketed under the brand names Claritin and others. This is one of the best anti-allergy for flu in Pakistan and is used to treat hives and allergic rhinitis.
As loratadine/pseudoephedrine, it is also offered in conjunction with the decongestant pseudoephedrine. It is consumed orally.
What is the price of loratadine in Pakistan?
This medicine will cost 120-140 PKR per pack in Pakistan.
What are the uses of loratadine?
It is used to treat the following conditions.
- Hay fever
- Conjunctivitis
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Runny nose
What can be the possible side effects of loratadine?
Its possible side effects can be
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Ear pain
Also read: Best antifungal creams in Pakistan
Bottom line
When you are exposed to allergens, your body releases a substance called histamine. It causes the signs and symptoms of allergies.
It might also have a role in how the immune system combats the common cold. Histamine is blocked by antihistamines. They work well for allergies but work differently for cold symptoms.
Read the drug labels of allergy tablets carefully if you’re looking for relief from cold symptoms like the flu.
If nothing seems to be working, consult an allergy specialist through Marham. They might be able to offer a better suggestion.
FAQs
1. How do you treat flu allergies?
Get lots of rest and consume plenty of water to treat colds and the flu. Painkillers like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can lower your temperature or aches if you have the flu. Antihistamines and decongestants are effective treatments for allergies.
2. Can you take an allergy pill with a cold and flu pill?
It might be challenging to determine whether your runny nose and sneezes are caused by allergies or because of a winter cold. But the Food and Drug Administration cautions that understanding the distinction is essential to preventing overmedication.
3. Is anti-allergy good for flu?
An antihistamine may assist with flu symptoms if you have a runny nose, postnasal drip, or itchy, watery eyes. Antihistamines help alleviate bothersome symptoms like sneezing, itching, and nasal discharge by blocking the effect of “histamine”.
