Dr Punam confronted some misconceptions about antihistamines (Image: BBC)
Millions across the UK experience hay fever and other allergies, leading them to use antihistamines for symptom management. Yet, despite how widely used this medication is, Dr Punam Krishan cautioned that many people may be using it improperly and urged people not to discontinue their medications simply because of certain headlines.
Speaking on BBC‘s Morning Live, the NHS GP cautioned that one specific claim suggesting antihistamines could trigger weight gain might be especially harmful, even if there’s some scientific basis to it.
She said: “Histamine can affect things like your hunger and energy levels so of course antihistamines can affect that. This isn’t a common phenomenon, it’s not a side effect that’s listed. There’s not a huge amount of evidence that suggests antihistamines, especially newer ones that are non-drowsy, cause any significant weight gain.
“I don’t want anyone panicking. I don’t want anyone stopping their antihistamines. If you notice you are hungrier just be mindful of that and if something’s affecting you like fatigue speak to your GP and we can always change which one you’re on.”
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Histamine is a chemical released by the body when it believes it has encountered something dangerous. In cases of allergies and hay fever, this response is somewhat more severe than necessary.
These reactions produce symptoms including sneezing, coughing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy or red eyes, loss of smell, headaches and fatigue. Antihistamines function by inhibiting histamine in the body, stopping the allergic reaction before it even begins.
Dr Punam revealed she has been prescribing antihistamines as early as February this year, but noted that some people could be taking them incorrectly. She stressed that timing and consistency are far more crucial than many realise, and explained how the liquid used to wash down the medication could actually render it ineffective.
She said: “With hay fever, it’s not just about what antihistamine you take, it’s about when you take it and when you start it. If you know seasonal allergies is a thing for you, try and get ahead of the curve and start taking them early.”
She also tackled further misconceptions surrounding the medication, asserting that developing a tolerance to antihistamines is simply not possible: “Nor do you develop a tolerance to it. If something is working for you, absolutely take it every year, it will do the trick.”
Some people stop taking antihistamines once their symptoms subside, which can actually worsen their condition by triggering “rebound symptoms”.
The NHS GP confirmed there is no single antihistamine that outperforms the others, urging people to experiment with different options until they discover one that suits them, then remain consistent with that choice. The NHS website features a lookup tool that can simplify this search and assist people in finding out more about the antihistamines they’re currently using.
Dr Punam added: “I think this is lesser known. There’s a very common antihistamine called fexofenadine, which people take now.
“What people don’t know is that there is a transporter in the gut that fexofenadine is absorbed via. Now, there are certain fruit juices like orange juice, grapefruit juice and apple juice that can actually block that transporter, so it means that the absorption of fexofenadine is affected and significantly reduced by about 70%.”
The NHS website carries a comparable warning: “Do not drink grapefruit juice, apple juice or orange juice while you’re taking fexofenadine as the medicine may not work as well.”
Dr Punam suggested that those taking this antihistamine should swallow their medication with water and steer clear of fruit juices for a couple of hours before and after consuming the tablet.
Antihistamines can also have adverse reactions with other beverages, including alcohol, which can aggravate hayfever symptoms by elevating histamine levels in the body, or intensify the drowsy side effects associated with certain antihistamines.
