For people with seasonal allergies, what are the best treatment options? Please consider effectiveness, ease of use, side effects, cost & effects on pregnancy

Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.: For people with seasonal allergies, what are the best treatment options? Please consider effectiveness, ease of use, side effects, cost & effects on pregnancy
Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)
If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:
What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.): adult employees, often of reproductive age & possibly with asthma, HTN as co-diagnoses
Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)
Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.): Relief from nasal congestion, itchy eyes/ears, sore throat, fatigue
Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.: impacts on pregnancy, hypertension, asthma

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

yes

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

AHRQ Priority Populations

Federal Health Care Program

Describe why this topic is important.: I'm looking for a "handout" to give to adult employees seeking OTC treatment for allergy symptoms. With Zyrtec & Claritin now being OTC, there are more options for self medicating, along with the standby's of sedating anti-histamines & pseudoephedrine. How do the OTC's compare to prescription meds for symptom relief of seasonal allergy?
What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)
Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)
If yes, please explain:

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?: We are starting seasonal allergy time in Utah. It will continue until October/November. I'll have need for this info for months to come & annually thereafter.
Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.
Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate): We are starting seasonal allergy time in Utah. It will continue until October/November. I'll have need for this info for months to come & annually thereafter.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?: Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program: searching for health promotion literature at ahrq.gov

Effective Health Care Program