With the allergy season in full swing, I thought I'd get some suggestions flowing for allergy medications. Please tell us what you have tried, what you currently use (if any), what's worked and what hasn't worked, and the good and bad things about each one.. If possible, give both a brand name and a chemical/generic name.
Claritin/Loratadine - doesn't work at all for me, but it's supposed to be non-drowsy. It's dirt cheap, however - if it works for you you can get a 28-day supply at a dollar store for $1 and it's the exact same thing - even the same manufacturer.
Airborne Seasonal Relief - tastes NASTY! Not good if you're on the go, as it takes a while for it to dissolve. It worked a little bit when the allergens weren't too bad, for example in early spring.
Chlortrimetron/Chlorpheniramine Maleate - this is my #1 choice, and what I currently use! The package says it may cause drowsiness, but I haven't noticed that. It works fast too.
2007-09-25 15:41:14 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Nki - You really should give chlorpheniramine maleat a try, it worked wonders for me! It's over the counter, it's a little yellow pill. The Wal-Mart brand is called Chlortabs, and it's about $2 for 100 tablets. I didn't discover this until I started working at a vet clinic - it's safe for dogs too! If you have trouble finding it, ask a pharmacist to help you. It comes in a bottle like Tylenol intead of in the foil blister packs like a lot of other allergy medication. It lasts 4-6 hours, but there is also an 8 mg extended-release that works for up to 12 hours, but I've only seen it in the name brand or in gigantic bottles the vet orders from the medical supply catalog. Good luck, I hope it works for you!
2007-09-26 10:46:29 · update #1
Also, I've heard a lot of good about Elderberry concentrate for allergies...anyone ever tried it, did it work?
2007-09-27 06:36:23 · update #2
I use Allegra D. It is similar to Claritin D, but I can still get it by prescription so it is cheaper with my health insurance than buying the Claritin D OTC.
Rhinocort Aqua/budesonide nasal. A steroid based nasal spray. It doesn't work right away. You have to give a squirt or two up each nostril once or twice a day till it starts working. It takes 3-7 days to take effect. After that I just do one squirt up each nostril in the morning and I am good to go. This stuff works GREAT. I highly recommend it.
The only problem I had was that I stayed on it for over 2 years straight and then I started getting nose bleeds. So now I use it only during my worst season (fall). I don't have problems with nose bleeds any more.
2007-09-26 08:24:06 · answer #1 · answered by Hex92 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me Claritin, Claritin D, Nasonex spray and Zyrtec did nothing for my nose. My nose would get completely blocked...thats really the only symptom I get during my seasonal allergies. I finally went to a doctor and gave up on OTC stuff and she prescribed a round of steroids for allergies (nothing like the steroids your thinking, its just the term used to describe their medical structure), and Allegra D. I am now WIDE open and can breathe. She doesnt recommend taking the steroids often, but she told me that if I only get this two or three times a year, which I do, she said that would be fine, but more than 3 times a year is a bit too much.
2007-09-26 13:26:15 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had problems with allergies all my life and I've found that claritin works very well. You can save a lot of money by buying the generic version, loratadine. It's exactly the same thing and works just as well, but it cost about half as much.
2007-09-26 14:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by warneker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have tried many and have not found one that work well for me.
You mentioned Chlortrimetron/Chlorpheniramin, I haven't heard about it. I think i will give it a try and report back on how well it works. It is a prescription drug or can it be obtained over the counter?
2007-09-26 11:41:56 · answer #4 · answered by Nki 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl is what the doctor prescribed for me. And it seems to work better than any other allergy medicine that I have taken. (I have tried just about all of them) But everyone is different. What may work for some may not work for others.
2007-09-25 23:09:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My doctor prescribed me Flonase (more for nasal allergies) and Allegra(for itchy eyes and stuffy head). They work wonders together. And ya that Claritin is not worth a damn.
2007-09-25 22:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋