You can buy acrivastine capsules without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail units.
Before taking acrivastine
To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking acrivastine it is important that you discuss the treatment with a doctor or pharmacist if:
You are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
You are over 65 years of age.
You have kidney problems.
You have porphyria (this is a rare inherited blood disorder).
You are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
You have ever had an allergic reaction to another antihistamine, or to any other medicine.
How to take acrivastine
Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about acrivastine capsules and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking them.
The dose recommended for adults and children aged over 12 years, is one capsule taken as needed up to three times daily. You can take the capsules before or after meals.
If you forget to take a dose, don't worry, just take the next dose when it is needed and then continue as before. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
Most people only need to take an antihistamine for a short while when they have symptoms. You should stop taking the capsules once your symptoms have eased.
Although acrivastine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause drowsiness in a few people. If this happens to you, do not drive or use tools or machines.
If you drink alcohol while you are on acrivastine, be aware of its effects on you and do not drink more than moderate amounts. Alcohol can increase the risk of side-effects from antihistamines.
Can acrivastine cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the main side-effect associated with acrivastine, although this occurs rarely and is usually minor. It usually improves as the body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if it continues or becomes troublesome.
Antihistamines for Allergies
Treating allergies can involve different medications, including steroids and allergy shots, but usually the first thing to try is an antihistamine.
How Antihistamines Treat Allergies
When your body comes into contact with whatever your allergic trigger is -- pollen, ragweed, pet dander, dust mites, for example -- it makes chemicals called histamines. They cause the tissue in your nose to swell (making it stuffy), your nose and eyes to run, and your eyes to itch. Sometimes you may also get an itchy rash on your skin, called hives.
Antihistamines reduce or block histamines, so they stop allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines work well to relieve symptoms of different types of allergies, including seasonal (hay fever), indoor, and food allergies, but they can't relieve every symptom. To treat nasal congestion, your doctor may recommend taking a decongestant. Some drugs combine an antihistamine and decongestant.
What Types of Antihistamines Are Available?
Antihistamines come in different forms, including tablets, capsules, liquids, nasal sprays, and eyedrops. Some are only available by prescription. Others you can buy over the counter (OTC) at your local pharmacy.
Examples of prescription antihistamines include:
Astelin, Astepro (azelastine) nasal sprays
Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine)
Clarinex (desloratadine)
Cyproheptadine (generic only)
Emadine (emadastine) eyedrops
Livostin (levocabastine) eyedrops
Optivar (azelastine) eyedrops
Palgic (carbinoxamine)
Xyzal (levocetirizine)
Examples of OTC antihistamines:
Allegra (fexofenadine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Dimetane (brompheniramine)
Claritin, Alavert (loratadine)
Tavist (clemastine)
Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
Zyrtec (certirizine)
Eyedrops likes Emadine and Livostin treat symptoms of eye allergies, including itchy, watery eyes. Some medications, like Allegra-D, Claritin-D, and Zyrtec-D, combine an antihistamine and a decongestant to relieve congestion.
Side Effects of Antihistamines
Antihistamines can cause side effects, and some cause more side effects than others. Drugs such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, and Tavist and belong to an older group known as "first-generation" antihistamines. They tend to cause more side effects, particularly drowsiness.
Newer-generation antihistamines such as Allegra, Clarinex, and Zyrtec and have fewer side effects, so they may be a better choice for some people.
Some of the main side effects of antihistamines include:
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Restlessness or moodiness (in some children)
Trouble urinating or not being able to urinate
Blurred vision
Confusion
If you're taking an antihistamine that causes drowsiness, try to take it before bedtime. Don’t take it during the day before driving or operating heavy machinery.
Read the label before you take an allergy drug. Antihistamines may interact with other medications you are taking.
Talk to your doctor first if you have an enlarged prostate, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, kidney or liver disease, a bladder obstruction, or glaucoma. Also check with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Source:
http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/acrivastine-capsules-benadryl-allergy-relief
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/antihistamines-for-allergies
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