Allergy Medication: Side Effects

By Jennifer Fields

Here, Javed Sheikh, M.D., Clinical Director of Allergy at Beth Israel Deaconess and full-time faculty at Harvard Medical School, continues to outline some of the lesser-known side effects of allergy medications.

4. Altered Taste and Smell
If you've noticed your favorite foods have lost their flavor, the problem might not be your taste buds. The preservatives and fragrances added to some prescription nasal sprays can sometimes change your sense of taste and smell. You might notice things just don’t smell the same or as sharp or food is bland. Adding insult to injury, these additives can also increase your symptoms as you may be allergic to them. There are several sprays that don't contain fragrances or preservatives, so check with your doctor.

5. Low Libido
Lost that lovin' feelin'? Any allergy medicine that has a depressive effect can decrease your sex drive, says Sheikh. Of course, the allergy itself could be so severe that it robs you of your desire to have sex but if you suspect that your low libido is result of your allergy medicine, you should talk with your doctor.

6. Increased Appetite
Though there may be many reasons why you can't keep your hands out of that box of cookies, taking medicines with antihistamines can stimulate your appetite. If you're taking these medications regularly or over the long term, you may have noticeable weight gain.

7. Infertility in Women
Though there are no studies to confirm the connection, some fertility specialists believe that the drying of mucous membranes caused by some allergy drugs could lead to infertility in women. Until there is conclusive evidence, seek the advice of your doctor.

8. Long-Term Health Issues
People with skin allergies often find relief from topical steroid creams. But some prescription creams can be quite strong. The stronger the steroid, the more parts of the body it’s used on, and the longer it is used can lead to illnesses associated with long-term steroid use including decreased growth rate in kids, increased chance of developing cataracts, osteoporosis and diabetes.

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