Alleries

[mrsukyankee]

Tell me the generic names of your favourite allergy meds. Mine are going wild right now, so need something new. I remember someone recommended one that worked a few years ago but I stopped taking it (idiot). It also helped me fall asleep really well (I took it at night). So - if you have an allergy tablet that would normally make you sleepy and works well for allergies, tell me about it!

[charlatti]

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is my standby. I take half of a 10 mg pill year round at night, and I think it helps a bit with sleep. If that’s not enough, I add in (generic) Flonase nose spray (fluticasone propionate) and if it’s really bad a children’s dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine). The full dose of Benadryl makes me too tired but it works the best on those over-the-top daytime allergy symptoms.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I have terrible allergies (to things like dust, grass, all things found in nature basically), so I take Zyrtec (cetirzine) and Flonase (a nasal spray, not sure the generic name) in the morning, and Singulair (Montelukast) in the evening.
I know some people like Zyzal better than Zyrtec and I think that one is taken in the evening.

[ellipses84]

Zyrtec (or generic) is the only thing I can take. Anything similar makes me feel high or fall asleep. Maybe what you took was Claritin or Allegra? Adding a nasal spray like Nasonex is also good.

[ellipses84]

I’ve taken Flonase too. I don’t feel much difference between the nasal sprays.

[luckystar2]

Xyzal. It works really well. I take it right before bed and it knocks me out. I also use Flonase and alaway. Right now it still isn’t enough but does a good job when it’s not ragweed season (my worst allergy). I’ve tried all the other medications and either they don’t work (Claritin) or I have side effects.

[Deleted]

Claritin. I just get the store brand that’s right next to the name brand stuff.

[stemmie]

I take Zyrtec in the morning year round. DS's allergist suggests bedtime for once-a-day allergy meds of this class but I suck at remembering bedtime meds. DS and I tried Zyzal as many here recommended it as superior for them, but we found it offered no better relief for us and given the higher price stopped after a month.

When my tree and grass allergies are really kicking my ass, I add Flonase in the am as well. I use Pataday drops for itchy eyes; I find them the best of the OTC drops.

If either DS or I are outside a lot during our peak allergy season, we shower off at night to rinse off any pollen on our skin and (long) hair. The allergist suggested this and even replacing pillows for DS twice yearly. I also swap out pillow cases pretty often in peak season.

[mala]

Xyzal (Levocetirizine). I don't think it has many generic makers yet.

I went through Claritin and zertec before, when they became ineffective I went to xyzal.

[Nonny]

My allergies are off the charts bad this year.

I take Xyzal (levocetirizine) and generic singulair (montelukast) in the evenings, and Aller-Fex (fexofenadine) in the mornings. I also use Astepro (azelastine) nasal spray 1-2 times a day (I don't always remember in the mornings, but I always try to get in a dose in the evenings).

Xyzal is chemically similar to Zyrtec, but it's one of those flipped chemical structures that is supposed to have fewer side effects, which is true for me. Zyrtec makes me feel like I have an angry bee in my head, and Xyzal doesn't do that. I think it makes some people sleepy, but I don't really think it changes my sleepiness levels (and I already take other meds that make me sleepy).

Astepro is the best nasal spray I've ever used. It just recently went OTC, and of course now it's stupid expensive as a result. It's fragrance and alcohol free, and works in about 30 minutes (it does sort of taste like xylitol sweetener though, but I don't find that offensive).

[emilyinchile]

Chlorphenamine maleate is a drowsy making antihistamine. (Levo)Cetirizine and (des)loratadine are all in theory non-drowsy.

[mich1]

I think Benedryl is probably the most effective for me. I have tried a couple of the pricier ones, but I need to add Benedryl to them to make them more effective. So I just stop at Benedryl.

[akayf]

My 16 year old takes xyzal year round at bedtime. He’s allergic to dust, mold, grass and pollen. If he misses a dose, he’s miserable the next day.

My 13 year old takes Claritin at night. He’s never been allergy tested but he starts sneezing and coughing like crazy if he skips a couple days of meds.

Both occasionally need to take flonase for a few days a couple times a year.

[AAM2012]

Zyrtec as Claritin has always made me so tired!

[sandandsea]

Claritin D is my go to for when I know I’m going to be outside for more than an hour while my allergies are bothering me.

Zyrtec is a cheaper standby (regular Claritin is cheaper but does nothing for me) if it’s a normal day and I’m just going to be passing through the outdoors but really inside most of the day.

If it’s extra bad I get Flonase and eye drops on top of the others.

[mrsukyankee]

Aug 18, 2024 7:43:14 GMT -5 luckystar2 said:

Xyzal. It works really well. I take it right before bed and it knocks me out. I also use Flonase and alaway. Right now it still isn’t enough but does a good job when it’s not ragweed season (my worst allergy). I’ve tried all the other medications and either they don’t work (Claritin) or I have side effects.

This is the one! 

Thanks everyone for posting. Hopefully it will help not just me.