Recognizing Sedating Antihistamines

Many different types of over-the-counter products (such as cold and allergy remedies, motion sickness drugs, and sleep aids) contain antihistamines. Many antihistamines (that is, sedating antihistamines) decrease alertness and have many other side effects, and they may be dangerous for people with certain disorders. Consequently, being able to identify which products contain these antihistamines is useful. OTC antihistamines are listed under active ingredients on the package. Antihistamines that have such side effects include the following:

  1. Phenindamine

  2. Pheniramine