Some TikTok users have been taking two over-the-counter antihistamines to combat symptoms.
Photo by Tero Vesalainen
/
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Article content
An Ontario health specialist says she has had some of her patients ask her about a TikTok trend involving two over-the-counter medications for relief from anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms of PMDD and menopause. But Dr. Alison Shea, menopause and reproductive health specialist, remains skeptical.
Sign In or Create an Account
Email Address
Continue
or
View more offers
Article content
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a chronic condition that causes severe emotional and physical symptoms in the weeks leading up to menstruation. Both menopause and PMDD are linked to changes in mood and sleep patterns, as well as headaches and bloating.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The viral remedy involves taking a Pepcid, commonly used for relief from heartburn and acid reflux, alongside Allegra, a seasonal allergy medication.
Article content
Both medications are antihistamines, with Pepcid targeting histamine one (H1) and Allegra histamine two (H2). The unsubstantiated theory behind the trend is that the sex hormone estrogen interacts with immune cells that release histamine, potentially contributing to some symptoms. Antihistamines, social media users argue, may help counteract this effect.
Article content
Scroll Left
Scroll Right
Article content
“Symptoms associated with a higher histamine can be more bloating, more congestion, some skin flushing, headaches and insomnia, as well as brain fog,”
Dr. Alison Shea
told National Post. “But whether it’s involved in anxiety or stress is not a solid connection that’s been made.”
Article content
View this post on Instagram
Article content
Article content
Nevertheless, TikTok users who’ve tried the Pecid-Allegra combination are convinced it’s had a positive impact on their mental health.
Article content
Read More
Menopause care is more widely available, but financially out of reach for many
Beyond smoothies and yoga: Wellness trends to keep an eye on this year
Advertisement 1
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
One user,
@danieladiaries1
, shared her experience, saying: “I’ve noticed that I’m not going into my anxiety rages, I’m noticing my anxiety is better. I don’t feel as bloated, I don’t feel as lethargic, I just feel like myself.”
Article content
Daniela said she had been taking Pepcid and Allegra for five days “to help with ovulation and PMS during perimenopause.”
Article content
Another user,
@lyssawulf47
, said in a video praising the viral remedy: “I already take 20mg of Lexapro and that really wasn’t cutting it…but I’m sitting in stop-go traffic right now for like 30 minutes and I don’t care.”
Article content
Dr. Shea said some of her own patients have also reported positive effects, though these tend to be related to physical symptoms such as bloating or nasal drips.
Article content
“Some of them will say they feel better. But I think that if you’re physically feeling better, that’s going to trickle down to you sleeping better, and you feeling better overall,” she said.
Article content
View this post on Instagram
Advertisement 1
This advertisement has not loaded yet.
Trending
Jamie Sarkonak: Non-citizens in Canadian Forces struggling to 'treat women as their peers'
NP Comment
Ironically, this Canadian city has been voted the best place for Gen Z to live in Canada
News
Advertisement 2
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Michael Higgins: She heckled a land acknowledgement. Child services were sent after her
NP Comment
Carney hits back on B.C. property rights decision, as Conservatives form task force
Canada
Chief Justice Richard Wagner dismisses request to recuse from Emergencies Act appeal
Canadian Politics
Advertisement 2
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Dr. Michelle Jacobson
, co-founder and medical director of Coven Women’s Health, is also skeptical.
Article content
She told National Post in an email that while some women notice allergy medications help with symptoms like hot flashes or poor sleep, “Antihistamines are not a true treatment for menopause. They don’t address the underlying hormonal changes, and the evidence that they reliably help is limited.”
Article content
Nevertheless, medical experts say there are few health risks associated with taking Pepcid and Allegra together.
Article content
Combining over-the-counter drugs based on social media trends is, of course, not standard medical practice. But, as long as the two drugs don’t interact with other medications being taken, Dr. Shea said that there’s no reason why patients shouldn’t try it — after consulting with a pharmacist.
Article content
“At the end of the day, if patients ask me about it, I would say it’s worth a try. Particularly if they’re having some of these more physical symptoms. They’re pretty safe medications without a lot of side effects.”
Article content
This is partly because Allegra is a non-drowsy antihistamine. She warns that drowsy medications, like Benadryl, do come with safety considerations.
Article content
Article content
Dr. Jacobson explained that taking these can “cause next-day grogginess, memory issues, dry mouth, constipation, and may increase fall risk, especially if used regularly.”
Article content
They can also interact with other medications and alcohol, she added.
Article content
View this post on Instagram
Article content
Article content
Previous research published in the
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
found that famotidine (commonly sold as Pepcid) may help treat depression and anxiety symptoms induced by COVID-19. But there is very little research on antihistamines and hormonal changes, despite menopause affecting 50% of the population and roughly one in 20 women experiencing PMDD.
Article content
“Women’s health research has been largely underfunded for years, and this is a major problem,” said Dr. Shea. “Only 10 to 15% of research funding is focused on women’s health specifically. It’s starting to get better, slowly, but this is a large, systemic, historical problem.”
Article content
This gap may help explain why some patients turn to social media for advice, and Dr. Shea hopes that the more we hear about these trends, the more likely it is that these topics will lead to scientific research.
Article content
However, for those struggling with PMDD and menopause symptoms, she recommends trying a low-histamine diet before jumping on the Pepcid-Allegra trend.
Article content
“If you’re noticing changes in your body that could be potentially related to histamine, it’s best to do an elimination diet and cut out high histamine foods,” she said. “Then, slowly add them back in, and you can see what might be making your symptoms worse.”
Article content
Foods higher in histamine include smoked meats, aged cheeses, alcohol, fermented foods, tomatoes, and legumes.
Article content
“We’ve heard everybody wants to use a pill,” Dr. Shea said, “But we forget about all the lifestyle things that we can do, which are even better.”
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Share this Story :
National Post
Copy Link
Email
X
Reddit
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an Account
Sign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our
Community Guidelines
for more information.
Latest from Shopping Essentials
Try these 4 easy hairstyles for your next special event
This year’s standout styles aren’t overly complicated, but they feel intentional, elevated and quietly luxurious
15 minutes ago
Fashion & Beauty
Vancouver body care brand is inspired by the beauty of Canada's West Coast
The new skincare brand draws its sensibility from Canada’s West Coast
15 minutes ago
Fashion & Beauty
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi and Nicolas Cage: Everything streaming in Canada this May
From Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Wuthering Heights to a steamy YA hockey series Off Campus, there's plenty to stream this month
4 hours ago
Entertainment
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Popular Canadian brand lands on Time's list of most influential wellness companies
lululemon was the only Canadian brand that made the cut on Time's 2026 list
6 hours ago
Wellness
White Lotus' Michelle Monaghan on her skincare routine, U Beauty and what she really uses
Check out our Q&A with the star
20 hours ago
Entertainment
Featured Local Savings