# Allergy Drugs in Nigeria: Cetirizine, Piriton & When Each Fits

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/conditions/allergies/
- Last updated: July 2026
- Educational information, not medical advice.

Allergies show up in Nigerian life as sneezing and catarrh from dust and harmattan, itchy eyes, skin rashes and hives, and reactions to foods or drugs. The immune system overreacts to something harmless, releasing histamine — which is why antihistamines are the core treatment.

The practical choice is between older, drowsy antihistamines like chlorpheniramine (Piriton) and promethazine, and newer, non-drowsy ones like cetirizine. For anyone who needs to work, drive, or study, the non-drowsy option is the better daytime default; the sedating ones earn their keep at night when itching keeps you awake.

Skin flare-ups respond well to a short course of hydrocortisone cream on top of an oral antihistamine. What antihistamines cannot handle is a severe, fast reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty — that's an emergency, not a pharmacy visit.

## Signs & symptoms

- Sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy throat (worse in harmattan/dust)
- Itchy, watery, red eyes
- Hives — raised, itchy wheals that move around the body
- Itchy rashes or eczema flare-ups
- Emergency: swelling of lips, tongue, or face; tightness of throat; wheeze or difficulty breathing; collapse — go to hospital immediately

## Medicines used in Nigeria

- cetirizine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/cetirizine/): Non-drowsy daily antihistamine — the daytime default for rhinitis, hives, and itching
- chlorpheniramine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/chlorpheniramine/): Classic sedating antihistamine (Piriton) — cheap and effective when drowsiness is acceptable
- promethazine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/promethazine/): Strongly sedating antihistamine, useful at night for severe itching; also used for nausea
- hydrocortisone (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/hydrocortisone/): Mild steroid cream for short courses on itchy allergic skin and insect bites
- prednisolone (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/prednisolone/): Short oral steroid course for severe flare-ups — prescription only, per a clinician

## How it's treated

Match the antihistamine to the situation: cetirizine once daily for daytime control without sedation; chlorpheniramine or promethazine when drowsiness is acceptable or helpful at night. Don't stack multiple antihistamines together without advice.

Find and reduce the trigger where you can — dust, mould, a specific food, or a drug. A reaction to a medicine (e.g. a rash after an antibiotic) should be reported to a clinician and the drug name recorded, so it's avoided in future prescriptions.

## See a doctor if

- Any swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, or faintness during a reaction — emergency
- Hives lasting beyond 6 weeks or recurring frequently
- Suspected drug allergy — before ever taking that medicine again
- Skin rashes that blister, peel, or involve the mouth/eyes — urgent
- Allergy symptoms not controlled by a daily antihistamine

## Prevention

- In harmattan/dusty seasons: keep windows down during dust peaks, rinse the face, consider a daily non-drowsy antihistamine
- Wash bedding regularly and air mattresses — dust mites drive year-round symptoms
- Note your triggers (foods, drugs, insect stings) and tell every prescriber about drug reactions
- Keep a sedating antihistamine at home for night-time flare-ups and bites

## FAQs

### Which allergy drug doesn't cause sleepiness?

Cetirizine is the widely available non-drowsy choice in Nigeria — one tablet daily controls sneezing, catarrh, and itching for most people without the sedation of Piriton (chlorpheniramine) or promethazine. Occasional people still feel mild drowsiness on cetirizine, so try the first dose on a free evening.

### Is Piriton good for catarrh?

Chlorpheniramine (Piriton) helps allergic catarrh — the sneezy, itchy, clear-runny type triggered by dust or harmattan — but it causes drowsiness, so it suits evenings better than work or driving. If catarrh is thick, coloured, and comes with fever, that pattern suggests an infection rather than allergy, and an antihistamine alone won't fix it.

### What should I do for a severe allergic reaction?

Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or collapse is anaphylaxis — a life-threatening emergency. Go to the nearest hospital immediately; do not wait to see if an antihistamine tablet works, because tablets act far too slowly for anaphylaxis. Afterwards, identify the trigger with a clinician and plan how to avoid it.