Pharmacist warns hayfever sufferers not to take everyday medication due to dementia risk

Daily Mirror

03-05-2025

With so many different hacks to help battle hayfever, one pharmacist has advised against taking one common medication due to links to dementia risks fom every day use
As Brits bask in the sunshine, it can be glorious to be able to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather - but it can be miserable for those suffering with hayfever. Nearly one in four people in the UK battle hayfever and other allergies in the summer, and any sufferer will know the struggles it can bring, and with loads of hacks on how to combat the allergies, one pharmacist has warned against taking daily antihistamines.
While taking antihistamines can help mask the symptoms at their peak, some people have advised to take one every day to stop the symptoms in the first place. However Deborah Grayson has taken to TikTok to address growing concerns about the long-term safety of over-the-counter allergy medications - particularly those that cause drowsiness.
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READ MORE: GP warns of food allergy that may be mistaken for hay fever
Known as the "Godmother of Pharmacology", Deborah said there is a "distinct risk" of developing dementia from long-term use of sedative antihistamines, due to their impact on brain chemistry. Answering the common question "Can you take an antihistamine everyday?"
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Deborah said: "In short, yes you can, especially if you're using it for allergies, hayfever, seasonal rhinitis, allergic rhinitis and the problem is there consistently.
"I would always advise taking a non-drowsy antihistamine as opposed to one that causes drowsiness because the drowsy antihistamines interfere with the neurotransmitters in the brain and if we're using those long term, there is a distinct risk of dementia as a result of this," she added.
Deborah further stated that it "interferes with a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine" and warned if you're taking a sedative antihistamine such as Nytol or Night Nurse to help you sleep "that's really not something that you want to be taking everyday."
The expert added: "Sometimes they might be prescribed by the GP for a particular reason and that's fine but if we're just looking for simple sleep support, then I would advocate not taking it on a regular basis."
However Deborah said that while non-drowsy antihistamines are "generally safe and effective for daily use" the sedative varieties can actually "interfere with brain chemistry in potentially harmful ways."
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Drowsy antihistamines interfere with the brain's release of a vital chemical called acetylcholine, which plays a critical role in memory and cognitive function, she explained. Studies have shown that lower levels of this neurotransmitter are linked to the development of dementia, including Alzheimer's.
According to Mrs Grayson, long-term interference could increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases over time citing several studies, including a 2015 research paper that tracked more than 3,400 adults aged over 65 between 1994 and 2012.