Gena Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I called Claritin and their cust. rep. said the only contraindications are for kidney or liver disease. It's a non-drowsy antihistamine, over the counter product that has a main ingredient of loratadine. I read one post on here from someone who said it made there heart race each time they took it. So now I'm afraid! Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with OTC Claritin?What other allergy meds (prefer OTC) has anyone used with good results?My allergies seem to have gotten worse tenfold since getting POTS symptoms a few months ago. I constantly have a runny nose. Need help. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackwolf Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I would ask you pharmasist if you take other drugs. 1 of the pills I take becomes ineffective if taken with any antihistamine. If you don't have any med trouble, I would suggest trying a small dose to start with just in case you have trouble. The only time I take them is for emergencies, my hr hits about 150 on any of them.Blackwolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ethansmom Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 Hi Gena! Many of us do better with antihistamines (allergy meds) than we would with pseudoephedrine (found in most decongestants). My suggestion would be to find a short acting antihistamine, that way if it bothers you than it will be out of your system in 4-6 hours. My doctor always told me to take Claritin, but I'm afraid to because it lasts 24 hours, I think? Bendryl is my drug of choice, but I am not prone to seasonal allergies- when I take it, one dose is usually fine, but if I take a second dose I do notice a slightly elevated heart rate (but nothing extreme). Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I have never seen anything on antihistamines being contraindicated for people with ANS dysfunction.I've taken antihistamines as long term treatment for allergies and have never had a problem except occasional drowsiness when starting a new one. I've taken zyrtec, claritin and allegra. The ones that are listed with a "d" after the name may contain a decongestant which may mess w/ bp and hr in some people, but the "plain" versions should be fine.If you're not sure, ask the pharmacist or your doctor.Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingLight Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 ditto what nina said.i tolerate allegra really well and also singulair...probably the only meds i have ever taken without any side effects for me!like nina said, watch out for the D ones...those really messed me up. the decongestants make my heart race like crazy. i haven't taken claritin for a long time, but it is supposedly one of the more well-tolearted of the meds out there. allegra is my "drug of choice" though...but it is not over the counter...the good thing about the clairtin is that shouldn't make you drowsy, unlike benedryl or others...(althought jess said she can tolerate it...)so, as always...personal preference plays a role.hope you find some relief. this season is killer for me. ugh to rageweed! i cannot hardly be outside at all, and can't go without the allergy meds.emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 Just a clarification: singulair isn't an antihistamine--rather, it works on a different pathway than histamine--leukotrienes. Both histamines and leukotrienes are involved in allergic reactions. For more info, see the maker's website on Singulair.http://www.singulair.com/montelukast_sodiu...eukotrienes.jspI have taken singulair for several years without any negative effects--and it's helped control my asthma symptoms. I forgot to add, that like Jessica, I take benedryl too. It typically lasts 8 hours. Jess, they say that claritin is supposed to be 24 hours, but I never got that much milage out of it. I used to take it in the am and my nights were miserable. Then I got yelled at by my doctor for adding benedryl on top of it. Now I'm with a different doc, and he knows that I take both zyrtec and benedryl (and singulair, advair and flonase) and is fine with that--basically, he takes the stance that if it's not causing me any problems and it's helping, stick with it.Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingLight Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 oops, nina...sorry about mixing singulair into that bunch. thanks for calling me on that. honestly, i was just in the "allergy mindset" and got sidetracked from just staying on antihistamines.i do take the singulair for allergies though and not asthma and really like it. (it was just approved later as okay for use for allergic rhinitis, after it was approved for asthma...i think i have that right)i agree in terms of not getting 24 hours out of claritin!and allegra by itself was not enough, hence the addition of singulair for me...emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gena Posted September 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 Thanks everyone for your input. It really helps. What would we do without the internet and this forum???My husband may be getting a job as a pharmaceutical rep for Merck in the near future! One of the drugs he'd be marketing is Singulair. It sounds like many of you like this one, so I might try this one first. I hate taking any meds at all, but I'm tired of blowing my nose 24/7!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingLight Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 gena,i am not sure about this...but my doctor saw singulair more as an "add-on" drug to the allegra...first, take allegra or other anti-histamine. then if that isn't enough, add allegra. that is what he had me do. i am not sure why though honestly.i guess the doctors are used to it being for asthma more than allergies? i don't know. but now it is approved for both uses...a good drug for people like my dad who have both conditions...just one drug instead of two.also, you could always try the nasal sprays...there are a lot of them out there. the newest one, astelin (i think i have that right) is supposed to be enough on its own and no allegra. my allergist suggested it, but i didn't mess with it yet.also, there are a zillion other nasal sprays...which do avoid so much of the systemic deal with putting meds into your body...but i haven't had much luck with them. however, LOTS of folks like them a lot and then you don't have to have something as systemic as a pill. i.e. flonase, rhinocort. hope this helps!emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrill Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 Hi -- here's my 2 cents -- I used to take Claritin when it was prescription b/c I had some prescription coverage w/my health plan. When it went over-the-counter (and therefore expensive), I switched to Clarinex... pretty much the same drug only still prescription and cheaper for me. So if you have any prescription coverage w/your health insurance (if you have insurance...sadly too many millions are without ... grrr... ), I recommend calling your physician and getting a scrip for Clarinex. Many doctors will prescribe that w/out putting you through allergy testing.My bottom line on those two drugs--I have zero side effects, and they do work for me. (I too suffer in the fall, esp. w/mold and ragweed!) If you buy the OTC Claritin, stay away from the D (decongestant) version. I agree w/earlier posts--decongestants can really make your heart race. (I couldn't make it through a day w/Benedryl--makes me too tired! Actually, a key ingredient in Benedryl is what makes you sleepy w/Tylenol PM.)Here's hoping for an early frost,m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingLight Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 merrill,YES! i am always hoping for an early frost too!!!! emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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