Program Description

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 30% of adults and 40% of children annually in the United States. Despite widespread therapy availability, AR is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Core symptoms—such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and ocular irritation—severely impact sleep quality, daytime functioning, and overall quality of life. With an array of products available, pharmacists must be knowledgeable about the nuances of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic options as treatment-related sedation or inadequate symptom control from inappropriate treatment selection contributes to disease burden. Because AR is primarily managed with OTC therapies, patients rely on pharmacists for guidance on product selection and instruction. This article outlines stepwise, symptom-driven approaches to treatment selection for allergic rhinitis, examining first-line oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids, nonpharmacologic strategies, and second-generation antihistamines to minimize sedation. After engaging with this article, pharmacists will be equipped to guide evidence-based OTC decision-making for patients with allergic rhinitis, focusing on enhancing symptom-based assessments to precisely match therapies to patient-specific symptoms. Strategies to optimize patient counseling, including setting realistic expectations for onset of action, proper intranasal administration, and highlighting the functional risks of sedating options will also be addressed.

Target audience: Pharmacy Technician
Type of activity: Knowledge
Release date: August 31, 2026
Expiration date: August 31, 2027
Learner level: Foundational
Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives:

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Recognize allergic rhinitis symptoms and how they vary from other conditions with similar symptoms
Study guideline recommendations and evidence supporting the use of non-drowsy treatments for AR to resolve symptoms, improve sleep quality, and increase productivity related to wakefulness
Identify key considerations for OTC allergic rhinitis therapies, including appropriate handling, storage, and workflow

Faculty

Jason Zupec, PharmD, BCACP, has the following relevant financial relationship with ineligible companies to disclose:

Curaleaf Holdings

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff— Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA;
Jason Christidhis, PharmD; Sarah Viruet; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Pharmacy Times® Editorial Staff— Aislinn Antrim

Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
Continuing professional education activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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Optimizing Nondrowsy Allergy Relief for Allergic Rhinitis: The Pharmacist’s Role in Evidence-Based OTC Decision-Making (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Jason Zupec, PharmD, BCACP