There are some medications that are primarily antihistamines, plus also have additional effects that can help mast cell disorder patients. If you're able to choose which antihistamines you use, then you may want to favor trying the ones with mast cell stabilizer effects:
-
diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl)
-
cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec) is an H1 antihistamine and can stabilize mast cells. It also can block influx of eosinophils and blocks generation of leukotrine C4.
-
levocetirizine (brand name Xyzal) is an H1 antihistamine. Primarily used for allergic rhinitis, including allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, hives, and itching.
-
ketotifen (brand names Zaditen, Zaditor, Alaway). Primarily used to treat allergic conditions such as conjunctivitis, asthma, and urticaria. Increasingly used for mast cell stabilizing properties.
-
epinastine (brand names Alesion, Elestat, Purivist, Relestat)
-
azelastine (brand names Astepro, Astelin)
-
olopatadine (brand names Patanase, Pataday, Pazeo)
-
alcaftadine (brand name Lastacaft)
If you're trying to convince your doctor that you may have a mast cell disorder, rather than solely allergies, then you may want to consider trying a "test of treatment" where you try an H1 blocker with mast cell stabilizer effects for 2 weeks, then an H1 blocker without mast cell stabilizer effects for 2 weeks. If you feel better on the first one, then that's evidence you have a mast cell problem.
Other mast cell stabilizers include vitamin C, diamine oxidase, quercetin, cromolyn, omalizumab, hydroxychloroquine, medical marijuana.