Question
Which hay fever medications can I use?
27 July 2008. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
Hi again.
I have recently started medication, Truvada (tenofovir+FTC) and Sustiva (efavirenz).
My CD4 was 422 and my viral load was 124,000 with a 17% overall percentage. I only really started them because of constant diarrhoea and recurring stomach complaints. Everything seems to be OK at the moment, however, I was told by my doctor that I had to question every drug taken, therefore can you tell me what is the safest hay fever tablet I can take?
My doctor did say that some reacted with my meds so I had to be careful which ones to use. She gave me some but they make me drowsy and as I drive as part of my job I can’t take them anymore.
Can you point me in the right direction please as my hayfever is bad at the moment.
Thanks.
Answer
Your doctor is right. It is a very good idea to check every medication for possible drug interactions with your medications.
When it comes to antihistamines, the one that does not have any interactions with Sustiva (efavirenz) is cetirizine. It is the best option. The other commonly used hay fever drugs like astemizole and terfenadine have drug interactions with Sustiva and should not be used. Fexofenadine and loratadine also have possible interactions with clinical significance.
Your HIV pharmacist is the best person to ask about any drug interaction – and is likely to know more about this aspect of treatment than your doctor.
Hope this helps.
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