Food Allergy Support

Discussion Boards => Main Discussion Board => Topic started by: SilverLining on June 16, 2014, 03:07:55 PM

Title: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 16, 2014, 03:07:55 PM
I found rapid dissolve Claritin.  Box says non-drowsy.

my hope is ds can take one of these instead of 2-6 of the chewable no-name benedryl pills he has been taking.

Is Claritin known to cause depression, anxiety, anything like that?  Last time I switched his meds the teacher came and asked if he could go back on the benedryl.  He was so angry....and I don't remember what we switched him too. 
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: momma2boys on June 16, 2014, 03:26:07 PM
I've never heard of it but everyone reacts differently to different meds. Give it to him at bedtime, it works best then and hopefully no side effects.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 16, 2014, 03:44:06 PM
Is Claritin not available in US?  It's Loratadine 10 mg.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: rebekahc on June 16, 2014, 03:57:26 PM
Yes, Claritin is available in the U.S.  It is one of the newer generation of antihistamines which are non-drowsy and supposed to last 24 hours.  Claritin is generally considered the least effective of the three available here (Claritin, Allergra and Zyrtec), but as long as I take it daily year-round (instead of waiting until I need it), it seems to work fine for me.

I think M2boys was meaning she had never heard of those being Claritin side effects.  Neither have I, FWIW.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: momma2boys on June 16, 2014, 04:07:49 PM
Yes, never heard of those side effects.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: GoingNuts on June 16, 2014, 06:17:08 PM
I haven't heard of it either. 

I take them 365 days a year, at bedtime.  And oddly enough although it is considered less effective than Allegra (which worsens my heart rhythm issues) or Zyrtec (which gives me bizarre neuro side effects), it controls my chronic hives way better than Allegra - which is better on my seasonal allergies.  :insane:

Makes no sense, but there you have it!
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 16, 2014, 07:21:27 PM
I think I'm going to wait until exams are done.  He can take benedryl if he needs.  The devil you know....
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: YouKnowWho on June 17, 2014, 06:42:54 AM
I noted issues years ago when DS2 was taking Zyrtec - they were not pretty.  He was violent, moody, etc.  I don't know if it was because he was extra sleepy (he struggles to sleep on a daily basis) or just in the midst of his other issues.  He took Claritin with no issues.

We have struggled for years with DS2 having a longer half life to meds than what they should technically be so I don't know if that was related or not.  For example - he was off antihistamines for the prescribed amount of time pre-testing and still the control wouldn't raise.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: lakeswimr on June 17, 2014, 06:48:23 AM
Allegra is supposed to be the only antihistamine or one of the only that doesn't cross the brain/body barrier according to DS's doctor.  Claritin does cross it.  I haven't found Claritin affect my mood but you might want to try Allegra instead. 

Benadryl, on the other hand, wipes me out and makes me depressed. 
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: Macabre on June 17, 2014, 07:17:23 AM
That's apt of benadryl.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: PurpleCat on June 17, 2014, 07:32:18 AM
DD is 14, second spring season on Allegra...was Allegra D earlier but now she only needs the plain Allegra.  No problems with either one.  She's upstairs studying away for her final that is in an hour.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 17, 2014, 08:37:30 AM
The problem is he can barely swallow pills.  Occasionally he swallows, but usually he ends up spitting them out.  He also can't take liquid.  Well, he can swallow the liquid but chances are it's coming right back up. 

So, chewable or quick dissolve is our option.  And this is the first adult strength I've found.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: YouKnowWho on June 17, 2014, 09:50:29 AM
Allegra makes children's chewables that would just be 2 tabs for adults.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 17, 2014, 11:58:26 AM
With the children's that he has now, he takes two, then when they wear off, two more, and sometimes two more.

Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: PurpleCat on June 17, 2014, 02:43:24 PM
I had to double check but I thought I saw melt-able 12 hour Allegra.  They have liquid too.  http://www.allegra.com/products.aspx# (http://www.allegra.com/products.aspx#)
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 17, 2014, 06:53:59 PM
But they are children's strength chewable.

My son is 16 and while not overweight, he's a lot bigger than the 12 year old dosage.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: candyguru on June 17, 2014, 07:35:56 PM
Quote from: SilverLining on June 17, 2014, 06:53:59 PM
But they are children's strength chewable.

My son is 16 and while not overweight, he's a lot bigger than the 12 year old dosage.

Shoppers Drug Mart and well.ca both sell the Reactine (cetirizine, called Zyrtec in the USA) that melts in your mouth in 10 mg doses (normal daily dosage).  Perhaps this is an option.

My wife, myself, and my 6 year old daughter take cetirizine (Reactine) frequently (and on a daily basis in pollen season) and none of us have had side effects.  It also works a lot better for us than Claritin or Allegra.

===================================

From reactine.ca

EFFECTIVE ALLERGY RELIEF FOR KIDS AGES 6+REACTINE ® Fast Melt TM Junior tablets dissolve in the mouth without water, eliminating the need to swallow a pill. These oral-dissolving tablets start to work on allergy symptoms quickly, provide long lasting relief for up to 24 hours, and do not cause drowsiness.Available in packages of 12 and 24 orally disintegrating tablets.

(http://asset6.wellmedia.ca/i/0e19c616b2997313587ab3d3798f9e81_ra,w403,h403_pa,w403,h403.jpeg)
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: SilverLining on June 17, 2014, 08:44:15 PM
I haven't seen the adult fast melt Reactine.  I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
Title: Re: Antihistamine question
Post by: candyguru on June 17, 2014, 09:03:51 PM
Quote from: SilverLining on June 17, 2014, 08:44:15 PM
I haven't seen the adult fast melt Reactine.  I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

I have seen it at several Shoppers Drug Marts (most recently Bloor & Yonge).  Let me know if you want me to check any of the Shoppers north of the 401.

It is 10 mg which is the dose for 6 years to adults (same dose as the pills in the blue box).