Non Prescription Help for Seasonal Allergies?

[PD]

Dr. Steve,

I have "seasonal allergies" and as I get older they seem to get worse. I prefer not to take prescriptions, but I do as I feel I need to.

anyway, I'm currently on Allegra 12 hr pills; however after 8 hrs or so I feel so wiped out- like I'm in a fog.
If I take another pill it seems to clear up after a bit; even if I don't, it usually gets better around 9pm- or about 2-3 hrs after sun goes down.

Is this common? does allegra have an "ephedrine" like substance? could the allegra be affecting my sleep? and finally, should I be asking my doctor to change me to something else?

[Thebazile78]

Dr. Steve,

I have "seasonal allergies" and as I get older they seem to get worse. I prefer not to take prescriptions, but I do as I feel I need to.

anyway, I'm currently on Allegra 12 hr pills; however after 8 hrs or so I feel so wiped out- like I'm in a fog.
If I take another pill it seems to clear up after a bit; even if I don't, it usually gets better around 9pm- or about 2-3 hrs after sun goes down.

Is this common? does allegra have an "ephedrine" like substance? could the allegra be affecting my sleep? and finally, should I be asking my doctor to change me to something else?

Are you taking the plain Allegra (just the antihistamine fexofenadine) or the Allegra-D (fexofenadine plus the decongestant pseudophedrine)?

I used to take Allegra and the pseudophedrine in the Allegra-D made me so spacey and sleepy that I couldn't go to work. I managed to talk it out with my pharmacist to rescind the "D" part of the 'scrip and only give me the antihistamine (plain Allegra) with the understanding that I'd simply take an OTC decongestant as-needed.

That switch made things a lot easier for me.

To finish out the bottle, you might want to try increasing your fluid intake during the day. I used to get really dehydrated while I took mine and it's easier to keep my sinuses clear


Also, once I started having other weird reactions to Allegra, they switched me to Zyrtec, which is now OTC. Again, I skip out on anything with an added decongestant because congestion isn't always a symptom of my allergy troubles and I don't like to take medications for conditions I'm not experiencing.

[PD]

Are you taking the plain Allegra (just the antihistamine fexofenadine) or the Allegra-D (fexofenadine plus the decongestant pseudophedrine)?

I used to take Allegra and the pseudophedrine in the Allegra-D made me so spacey and sleepy that I couldn't go to work. I managed to talk it out with my pharmacist to rescind the "D" part of the 'scrip and only give me the antihistamine (plain Allegra) with the understanding that I'd simply take an OTC decongestant as-needed.

That switch made things a lot easier for me.

To finish out the bottle, you might want to try increasing your fluid intake during the day. I used to get really dehydrated while I took mine and it's easier to keep my sinuses clear


Also, once I started having other weird reactions to Allegra, they switched me to Zyrtec, which is now OTC. Again, I skip out on anything with an added decongestant because congestion isn't always a symptom of my allergy troubles and I don't like to take medications for conditions I'm not experiencing.

Thanks.

I used to take the Allegra D, but I have switched to Allegra; the dehydration though may be a big part of it for me. I'll need to pay more attention to that (and/or switch back to an OTC med like Zyrtec or Claritin).

[Thebazile78]

Thanks.

I used to take the Allegra D, but I have switched to Allegra; the dehydration though may be a big part of it for me. I'll need to pay more attention to that (and/or switch back to an OTC med like Zyrtec or Claritin).

Glad to help.

The issue I have with most decongestants and a lot of antihistamines is that they make me spacey and dehydrated.

Staying hydrated tends to help me; I hope that it works for you.

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve,

I have "seasonal allergies" and as I get older they seem to get worse. I prefer not to take prescriptions, but I do as I feel I need to.

anyway, I'm currently on Allegra 12 hr pills; however after 8 hrs or so I feel so wiped out- like I'm in a fog.
If I take another pill it seems to clear up after a bit; even if I don't, it usually gets better around 9pm- or about 2-3 hrs after sun goes down.

Is this common? does allegra have an "ephedrine" like substance? could the allegra be affecting my sleep? and finally, should I be asking my doctor to change me to something else?

PD:

Some people just have fatigue with Allegra 12 hour; unless it specifically states "ALLEGRA D" (the "D" in most medications means "Decongestant" and the decongestant most frequently used is pseudoephedrine, which is used to make methamphetamine, just as a fun fact).

There are tons of other medications, but Tavist and Zyrtec are the only other "non drowsy" antihistamines you can buy over the counter and a lot of people have significant fatigue with the Zyrtec as well.

I love the saline irrigation stuff...you can buy a neti pot anywhere and I always take the opportunity to post my favorite neti pot photo:

http://www.christinas-home-remedies.com/image-files/sinus-nasal-irrigation.gif

with regard to prescription drugs, SINGULAIR will not cause any drowsiness...it's a leukotriene inhibitor and as such has a nice antiinflammatory effect on the respiratory tract. I'm not recommending you take this stuff, but merely bring it up as something you could discuss with your doctor.

Nasal steroids and nasal atrovent I've discussed elsewhere: http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=72536

hope this helps!


your pal,


steve

PS: I wrote this before I saw the other posts between you and Bazile (I merged them to this thread) so sorry for any duplicate information!

[undressa]

bad person posted above me:blink:

[sailor]

what of newly otc (like for a year or so) zirtec?

[~Katja~]

what of newly otc (like for a year or so) zirtec?

i use it as it is the only thing that works for me. But I know of many people who complain about the side effects which seem to not hit me at all.

[Thebazile78]

i use it as it is the only thing that works for me. But I know of many people who complain about the side effects which seem to not hit me at all.

I take Zyrtec and often react poorly to any meds, OTC or 'scrip.

What I've found helps me is to purchase the 24-hour pills and take them before I go to bed (or after I get home from work if I won't be driving after supper) so that any of the initial drowsiness symptoms I expect from the antihistamine will hit me while I'm safe at home, sleeping.

I also increase my fluid intake to be sure that I don't get dehydrated because that'll increase my spaciness from the meds, too.

[~Katja~]

I take Zyrtec and often react poorly to any meds, OTC or 'scrip.

What I've found helps me is to purchase the 24-hour pills and take them before I go to bed (or after I get home from work if I won't be driving after supper) so that any of the initial drowsiness symptoms I expect from the antihistamine will hit me while I'm safe at home, sleeping.

I also increase my fluid intake to be sure that I don't get dehydrated because that'll increase my spaciness from the meds, too.

you know, I always take zyrtec before bed, my doc prescribed them like that when they were not OTC yet.
I guess that may explain why I never get hit by drowsiness :)

[sailor]

you know, I always take zyrtec before bed, my doc prescribed them like that when they were not OTC yet.
I guess that may explain why I never get hit by drowsiness :)

my wife started on them when she was pregnant and the were rx as well (it was about all she could take when pregnant). she generally takes them in the evening and i don't think i've ever heard her mention feeling any side-effects.

[Dr Steve]

I'm just bumping this thread because the picture of the girl with the neti pot still makes me laff.

[A.J.]

I'm just bumping this thread because the picture of the girl with the neti pot still makes me laff.

Gvac's dream girl.

[PapaBear]

Why is she trying to catch the discharge in her mouth?


Oh... I get it. Practice!