I take Flonase daily, but whatever is in the air these last two weeks is kicking my tail. Thinking of adding Allegra or Zyrtec to the mix. Whatcha got?

Xyzal.

I think they work differently for different people. Both take several days in your system before you start to see a difference.

I take Allegra every day of my life.

Get this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Suphedrine-PE-Sinus-Allergy-Tablets-24-count/14053319

It is NOT the same as Sudafed, despite the long name being similar. It was a prescription medicine called "D Allergy." I took it for several years - it is my favorite allergy medicine.

My allergy doctor told me that a Chinese company bought the patent with many other medicines, and it keep getting temporarily discontinued. It became a major pain for me to find it in stock at pharmacies. Finally, WalMart bought the patent, and they sell it exclusively.

Unfortunately, I never could find it at any of the local WalMarts. I buy it in Bastrop when I am passing thru, or order it online at the WalMart website and get it shipped to the local WalMart (for free) for pickup.

Zyrtec and Allegra... I tried those years ago when they were still prescription. They do not help me at all. This does.

713nervy said:

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I think they work differently for different people. Both take several days in your system before you start to see a difference.

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This is the 100% correct answer. I'd start with Allegra because it has lower instance of drowsiness.

I do Zyrtec & Flonase daily. You need to do this for 2 weeks to start seeing a benefit (not be completely cured of allergies). From then on, you need to maintain a daily dosage to maintain the effects.

Claratin. Pill and/or nasal spray.

I have suffered from severe allergies my entire adult life. Had to move away from Texas to get away from them. I have been told by multiple doctors that you can and most likely should, alternate medications as needed.

So, with the advice above, just find what works best. When something stops working, try another one.

And... use the nasal sprays.

the ragweed got me on saturday. felt like a lump in the back of my throat since.

the one with the green cap.

zytrec

Zyrtec can have some horrible withdrawal symptoms...

Zyrtec every day

Neti pot along with Zyrtec.

titanmaster_race said:

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Zyrtec can have some horrible withdrawal symptoms...

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I was itching like a tweaker after quitting Zyrtec

jay040 said:

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Xyzal.

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That **** knocks me the **** out.

Can I take Zyrtec at night and Claritin in the morning?

I use Zyrtec D, Singulair, and Flonase daily, plus allergy shots and still get three significant sinus infections a year. I just can't win.

I've seen allergy drops advertised, but no idea if they're just hocus pocus or if they actually do anything.

Zyrtec

Zyrtec D

Tequila and lemon

Zyrtec...but really Sudafed.

I think claritin was shown to be ineffective in a study.

Zyrtec and singulair were most effective.

jay040 said:

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Xyzal.

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Here are the current general guidelines from AAFP (your mileage my vary of course)

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/1201/p985.html



Here is the blurb specific to oral therapy:
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ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES
Histamine is the most studied mediator in early allergic response. It causes smooth muscle constriction, mucus secretion, vascular permeability, and sensory nerve stimulation, resulting in the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
First-generation antihistamines, including brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may cause sedation, fatigue, and impaired mental status. These adverse effects occur because the older antihistamines are more lipid soluble and more readily cross the blood-brain barrier than second-generation antihistamines. The use of first-generation sedating antihistamines has been associated with poor school performance, impaired driving, and increased automobile collisions and work injuries.2730

Compared with first-generation antihistamines, second-generation drugs have a better adverse effect profile and cause less sedation, with the exception of cetirizine (Zyrtec).27 Second-generation nonsedating oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and fexofenadine (Allegra). Second-generation antihistamines have more complex chemical structures that decrease their movement across the blood-brain barrier, reducing central nervous system adverse effects such as sedation. Although cetirizine is generally classified as a second-generation antihistamine and a more potent histamine antagonist, it does not have the benefit of decreased sedation.

In general, oral antihistamines have been shown to effectively relieve the histamine-mediated symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (e.g., sneezing, pruritus, rhinorrhea), but they are less effective than intranasal corticosteroids at treating nasal congestion and ocular symptoms. Because their onset of action is typically within 15 to 30 minutes and they are considered safe for children older than two years, second-generation antihistamines are useful for many patients with mild symptoms requiring as-needed treatment.2,3,14
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But you guys are free to follow anecdotal evidence just presenting the "silly old doc" point of view!

Zyrtec is by far and away my number one seller in all of my drugstore upcs at heb. I will say though...we have an own brand called texaclear that was specifically designed for Texas allergies (pollen type and whatever else local). I have had customers swear by this stuff but it's just not well known. Ask for it if you go to heb.

atag said:

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Zyrtec is by far and away my number one seller in all of my drugstore upcs at heb. I will say though...we have an own brand called texaclear that was specifically designed for Texas allergies (pollen type and whatever else local). I have had customers swear by this stuff but it's just not well known. Ask for it if you go to heb.

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Not to diss your products or anything but that is basically just a strong cold medication that is pretty sedating. Not sure what is really "Texas specific" to those allergy those are just knock you on your butt cold medication ingredients.

I have done Zyrtec, Allegra, Singulair, Claritin, Flonase, you name it. Right now I am on Flonase, Allegra and Singulair.

I just recently started an allergy shot regimen and I have to say although I was hesitant, its been a great success so far. About this time every year I'll start really hurting and usually end up sick twice if not three times between October and April. My two year old also has it so she'll be fighting it with me when she gets older.

I would highly recommend looking into allergy shots if it is that chronic.

Immunotherapy if your allergies are consistent and severe. I've been on a program for 18 months now and allergies are no more.

KidDoc said:

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atag said:

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Zyrtec is by far and away my number one seller in all of my drugstore upcs at heb. I will say though...we have an own brand called texaclear that was specifically designed for Texas allergies (pollen type and whatever else local). I have had customers swear by this stuff but it's just not well known. Ask for it if you go to heb.

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Not to diss your products or anything but that is basically just a strong cold medication that is pretty sedating. Not sure what is really "Texas specific" to those allergy those are just knock you on your butt cold medication ingredients.

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Maybe so...maybe just the placebo effect does the trick lol

Shots haven't helped mine much. Kid Doc, thoughts on allergy drops? I mentioned it earlier but it really sounds hocus pocusy.

I take Zyrtec every day and usually have no problems - but whatever is in the air has had me sneezing like crazy for the last few days (at least after being outside).

Bulldog73 said:

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Shots haven't helped mine much. Kid Doc, thoughts on allergy drops? I mentioned it earlier but it really sounds hocus pocusy.

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For multiple allergies oral immunotherapy does not seem to be very effective. If you are only allergic to a few things (e.g. only grass, only peanuts) there is a growing body of evidence that they are effective and safe.

There is little harm to trying oral immunotherapy for 6 months to a year but, at this time, injections seem to be more effective overall but have the risk of anaphylaxis and the hassle of going to a doctor's office weekly.