Over-The-Counter Allergy Drug Ok’d

Allergy sufferers soon will be able to buy the nation’s first non-prescription medicine that promises to prevent - not just suppress - their sniffles.

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the prescription Nasalcrom nasal spray to be sold over the counter. McNeil Consumer Products says the non-prescription Nasalcrom will be on drugstore shelves before spring.

Until now, Nasalcrom has competed with the somewhat riskier nasal steroids doctors typically prescribe to prevent allergic rhinitis.

An estimated 40 million Americans suffer allergic rhinitis, caused by annual pollen or mold seasons, or allergies from dust mites, pets and other substances.