The options for pharmacotherapy of both perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis continue to expand rapidly. The classic antihistamines will retain a place as effective drugs. They are without serious adverse effects, and are often available without a physician’s prescription. The newer antihistamines, such as terfenadine, astemizole, loratadine and cetirizine, have made a great impact because they are, for the most part, nonsedating and have little or no anticholinergic activity. They have few interactions with other drugs and, except for very specific limited interactions, have proven to be well tolerated by patients previously unable to use antihistamines. Some of the newer antihistamines are also antiallergic by mechanisms other than H1-receptor antagonism, which will expand their usefulness.