Avoiding allergenic foods is the only way to prevent food allergy symptoms. However, that can be hard, especially when eating out or traveling. Sometimes, foods with ingredients that seem safe turn out to be cross-contaminated with allergens. Fortunately, some medications can improve the symptoms of allergic reactions or stop life-threatening allergic reactions.

Despite encouraging food allergy research, there’s no cure for food allergies. You’ll need to stick to your treatment plan and avoid triggers if you or your child has food allergies. It’s also important to know that all medications have a risk of side effects, which you should discuss with your doctor whenever trying a new food allergy treatment.

Below, we discuss some food allergy medications. You can talk with your doctor about which treatment options might be appropriate for you or your child.

1. Epinephrine Auto-Injectors and Nasal Sprays

If you have severe allergies, your doctor will likely recommend carrying epinephrine at all times for emergency treatment in case of accidental exposure to food allergens. Epinephrine is the first treatment option for a severe allergic reaction that causes difficulty breathing. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone and neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that quickly opens the airways, stops hives and swelling, increases blood pressure, and decreases stomach cramping.

An epinephrine auto-injector should be administered at the first sign of a serious allergic reaction.

Auto-injectors allow the user to easily and quickly self-inject epinephrine into muscle. Epinephrine auto-injectors are sold under brand names such as Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, EpiPen Jr, and Symjepi. There are also generic products. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an epinephrine nasal spray called Neffy for anaphylaxis (severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction). This needle-free option may be easier for some people to use in emergencies.

An epinephrine auto-injector or nasal spray should be given at the first sign of a serious allergic reaction. Severe allergic reactions may require multiple doses. People at risk of anaphylaxis should always carry two epinephrine injectors or nasal sprays. A second reaction can happen, or one dose may not be enough. In rare cases, an injector might not work right, or someone might not use it correctly, so having a backup is important.

Call 911 immediately after administering an epinephrine auto-injector. Follow-up at an emergency room is necessary because a second anaphylactic reaction can sometimes occur hours or days after the first.

Some people who carry an epinephrine auto-injector or nasal spray wear medical identification alert jewelry notifying others of their allergy. Some people attach a prominent tag to the bag where they keep their epinephrine.

Epinephrine can make you feel jittery after use. If you experience side effects like difficulty breathing, swelling or pain around the site of the injection, fast or irregular heartbeat, or other symptoms, make sure you tell the provider that treats you in the emergency room.

2. Over-the-Counter Antihistamines

Mild symptoms of food allergy are sometimes improved by taking over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin). Antihistamines are believed to work by blocking the action of histamines (chemicals associated with allergic reactions) in the body. Antihistamines will not prevent anaphylaxis and are not recommended as a first treatment for people with severe allergies. Your doctor can help you understand when to use an OTC antihistamine versus epinephrine.

Mild symptoms of food allergy are sometimes improved by taking over-the-counter antihistamines.

Certain types of antihistamines make some people drowsy. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you might benefit from an OTC antihistamine and what product might be best for you.

3. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids — often just called steroids — may help improve some symptoms of food allergy, such as asthma and rash. Corticosteroids can take hours to start having an effect. They’re not recommended as a first treatment for people with severe allergies.

Corticosteroids are synthetic (human-made) hormones that reduce the immune system’s reaction that triggers allergies. Steroids may be taken orally, applied topically to the skin, or inhaled for nasal or respiratory symptoms. Prednisone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) are examples of steroids sometimes given to treat symptoms of food allergies.

Used long-term at higher doses, steroids can cause many side effects, including weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.

4. Albuterol

Albuterol, sold as Ventolin HFA and ProAir HFA, is a fast-acting rescue medication prescribed for asthma. Albuterol can treat cough and shortness of breath associated with an allergic reaction but won’t prevent anaphylaxis. This inhaled medication can cause dizziness, nervousness, headaches, and a fast heartbeat.

Albuterol is not recommended as a first treatment for people with severe allergies.

5. Omalizumab

Omalizumab (Xolair) is a medication that’s injected subcutaneously (under the skin) every two to four weeks to treat food allergies linked to immunoglobulin E (IgE). These allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to IgE antibodies Common IgE-related food allergies include milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and fish (including shellfish). These allergies can lead to anaphylaxis.

Omalizumab works by targeting the IgE antibody. The medication can cause irritation at the injection site and fever. Anaphylaxis is a rare but serious side effect and requires immediate treatment.

6. Emerging Treatments

Immunology research is leading to new treatments for food allergies, which may help people have fewer reactions and live more safely. You can talk to your allergist or doctor to learn more.

Immunotherapy

Oral immunotherapy is a new type of treatment that works by giving someone with food allergies very small amounts of a substance they’re allergic to, training their immune system to tolerate it over time. Oral immunotherapy doesn’t cure a food allergy but can help make allergic reactions less severe and less frequent. People with severe allergies should always carry epinephrine in case of a serious allergic reaction.

Oral immunotherapy is a new type of treatment that works by giving someone with food allergies very small amounts of a substance they’re allergic to.

Oral immunotherapy is generally considered an experimental treatment. However, FDA has approved one oral immunotherapy drug, arachis hypogaea (Palforzia), for the pediatric treatment of children and adolescents with a confirmed peanut allergy. This drug contains small amounts of peanut protein and may help some people increase their tolerance to peanuts.

Another type of experimental allergen immunotherapy is epicutaneous immunotherapy, in which a skin patch delivers very small amounts of an allergen to build up tolerance. As of January 2025, there are no FDA-approved epicutaneous treatments.

Clinical Trials

Some people with food allergies participate in clinical trials to try new treatments for food allergies. Clinical trials are studies with volunteer participants to test new drugs before they’re available to the public.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you have food allergies, avoiding triggers is the best way to prevent reactions. While there’s no cure, several medications can help manage symptoms or treat emergencies. People with severe allergies should always carry epinephrine in case of a serious reaction. New treatments are also being studied, and some may become available in the future. Talk to your doctor about the best options for you or your child.

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