allergy treatment when cant take zyryec allegra

Answer Typically, it is not recommended to use cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra) at the same time. Both medications are second-generation antihistamines used for allergy relief.

Full Answer

Is Allegra or Zyrtec better for allergy treatment?

Apr 03, 2022 · Allegra is dosed twice a day for children from age 2 to 11 and once a day for adults and children ages 12 and older. Since Allegra can be used in children as young as 6 months old, it's sometimes the ideal choice for young children. Allergy Treatments for Children.

How much Zyrtec can a 6 year old take for allergies?

Mar 08, 2019 · The bottom line. Allegra and Zyrtec are common over-the-counter drugs used to treat allergy symptoms. Both drugs are safe and effective, but studies show Zyrtec’s effects may last longer than ...

Is Allegra safe for a 12 year old?

Jul 29, 2018 · Typically, it is not recommended to use cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra) at the same time. Both medications are second-generation antihistamines used for allergy relief. Taking them together would not provide much added benefit , but could lead to side effects such as drowsiness.

Is Zyrtec a second generation antihistamine?

Nov 12, 2020 · Official Answer. If your allergy is particularly bad then yes you can take them on the same day, as there are no known interactions. This is a therapeutic duplication and it is usually recommended to take only one antihistamine at any time, however if you have been prescribed to take both together then it is appropriate.

What can I take for allergies if I can't take antihistamines?

What can I take for allergies if Zyrtec doesn't work?

What can I take for allergies if Allegra doesn't work?

Which is better for hives Zyrtec or Allegra?

Can I take Allegra in the morning and Zyrtec at night?

What works better than Zyrtec?

Can Zyrtec make allergies worse?

What happens if Zyrtec isn't working?

What do you do if allergy medicine isn't working?

Is it OK to take Allegra everyday?

Who should not take Zyrtec?

Should I take Allegra in the morning or night?

Is Zyrtec better than Allegra?

Zyrtec is more likely to cause drow siness than Allegra. The effects of Zyrtec may last a few hours longer than the effects of Allegra. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about Allegra and Zyrtec and which drug may be right for you. They can also give you advice on taking the drugs safely. Shop for Allegra.

Is Allegra available OTC?

Allegra and Zyrtec are available OTC in many forms. The table below details the forms. For specific dosage information on either drug, read the product package carefully or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the active ingredient in Zyrtec?

The main active ingredient in Zyrtec is cetirizine. Both of these drugs are antihistamines. Antihistamines work by blocking a substance called histamine in your body. Histamine is known for causing allergy symptoms. Blocking it helps prevent symptoms of seasonal allergies or hay fever.

How old do you have to be to take Zyrtec?

Depending on the form you choose, Allegra and Zyrtec may both be approved for use in people ages 2 years and older.

Does Allegra go away?

Allegra and Zyrtec may cause mild side effects that tend to go away as your body gets used to the drug. Most of these don’t call for medical attention. But tell your doctor if any side effects are especially bothersome or don’t go away. Call your doctor or seek medical attention if you experience serious side effects.

Is Allegra safe for kidneys?

Allegra and Zyrtec may also not be safe for people with certain health issues. For example, you should talk to your doctor about how safe it is to use Allegra or Zyrtec if you have kidney disease. If you have liver disease, you should also talk to your doctor before using Zyrtec.

What causes seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are typically caused by your body’s reaction to pollen, a substance produced by trees and other plants. When these allergies strike, your body combats them by creating the symptoms you so despise. When these occur, you may consider using an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to ease your symptoms.

Can you take Allegra and Zyrtec together?

To conclude, it is not recommended to take both Zyrtec and Allegra together due to the possibility of drowsiness without additional benefit. Flonase nasal spray may be another option to provide an alternative mechanism of action against allergies.

Is Zyrtec better than Allegra?

In some patients , Zyrtec may work better than Allegra, however, it also may also cause drowsiness . Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are second-generation antihistamines and are still less likely to cause drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

Can you take fexofenadine and cetirizine at the same time?

Typically, it is not recommended to use cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra) at the same time. Both medications are second-generation antihistamines used for allergy relief. Taking them together would not provide much added benefit , but could lead to side effects such as drowsiness.

Is Claritin a second generation antihistamine?

This is because first-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas the second- generation antihistamines usually do not.

Can you drink grapefruit after taking fexofenadine?

When taking fexofenadine (Allegra) it is important to avoid grapefruit, orange, and apple juice as these are known to decrease intestinal absorption. Avoid these juices at least 4 hours before and 2 hours after taking Allegra.

How do antihistamines work?

How Antihistamines Work. Antihistamines bind to histamine receptors that are found in the nose, lungs, eyes, and skin without activating the histamine response. By binding and changing the shape of the histamine receptor, antihistamines inhibit histamine from binding and creating its response.

Is fluticasone a nasal spray?

Flonase As An Alternative. Another option would be to switch or add fluticasone (Flonase) nasal spray. Flonase was approved by the FDA in 1990, but has only been available over-the-counter since 2014. Flonase is a type of steroid that blocks inflammation, itching, and congestion.

Which is better, Zyrtec or Allegra?

Zyrtec works faster, is more effective, and lasts longer than these other antihistamines. When used for hives, Zyrtec may work better than Claritin or Allegra but is similar in effectiveness to Xyzal (levocetirizine) and Clarinex (desloratadine). Zyrtec, however, is more likely than Claritin or Allegra to have the side effect of fatigue.

Is Zyrtec good for allergies?

Allergic rhinitis (hayfever): Antihistamines can decrease the symptoms of watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose, and itchy eyes. Zyrtec can be a good antihistamine for allergies and hives though it can cause sedation and fatigue in some people.

What are the side effects of Zyrtec?

Zyrtec has a low incidence of side effects and is usually well-tolerated. Common side effects include: 1 Sedation: Sleepiness occurs in around 14% of people 2 Fatigue: Fatigue occurs in roughly 5% to 6% of people 3 Dizziness 4 Dry mouth

How do antihistamines work?

Antihistamines work by blocking histamines, chemical signals released by a type of cell in the immune system (mast cells) in order to alert other cells about a potential invader. With allergies or hives, this is a case of mistaken identity in which the immune system is asked to respond to a harmless invader, such as tree pollen or dust mites. ...

Is Zyrtec safe for children?

Zyrtec is recommended for children 2 years of age and older and adults. It is available as a tablet that can be swallowed, as a chewable tablet, and as a liquid. First-generation antihistamines include medications such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Vistaril/Atarax ( hydroxyzine ).

What is the best antihistamine for allergies?

First-generation antihistamines include medications such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Vistaril/Atarax ( hydroxyzine ). These medications can be very effective for the treatment of hives or allergies but usually cause significant drowsiness which limits their use.

What is the best medication for hives?

In addition to Zyrtec, other second-generation antihistamines include Xyzal (levocetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), and Allegra (fexofenadine).

How to relieve allergies?

You can relieve allergies through some behavioral changes. And if allergy meds fail, there are still a few things you can do for relief. Perhaps the most obvious—staying indoors—is pretty key, especially if you have something like pollen allergies.

What are the most common allergy medications?

The two most common drug types you’ll find over the counter are antihistamines and steroidal nasal sprays.

How do antihistamines work?

Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, a chemical which causes your immune system to overreact to “threats” like pollen. Drugs like Claritin are considered “second-generation” antihistamines, as they don’t result in side-effects like drowsiness you might find with “first-generation” meds like Benadryl. (You might prefer the former ...

Is Claritin a second generation antihistamine?

Drugs like Claritin are considered “second-generation” antihistamines, as they don’t result in side-effects like drowsiness you might find with “first-generation” meds like Benadryl. (You might prefer the former for this reason.) Steroidal nasal sprays (like Flonase) help curb your allergies by telling your nasal passages to stop making proteins ...

Can you use saline nasal spray on your nose?

You can also supplement both with a general saline nasal spray to rinse out your nose. You could also use a decongestant nasal spray, which shrinks blood vessels in the nose for short-term congestion relief, though Erstein cautions against using these long-term, too—especially in the case of the spray, Afrin.

Can you stay inside all day?

If you can’t stay inside all day like a hermit, Erstein also recommends, at the very least, keeping windows closed in the mornings, when the pollen count is generally at its highest, and changing your filter out in your air conditioner regularly, so it’ll help trap some of your allergens.

What antihistamines are available without a prescription?

All the common antihistamines are now available without a prescription: Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec. Each is also available as a generic: Alavert, Fexofenadine and Cetirizine. You can definitely save money with the generic, and it’s comparable to the name brand. Each of these antihistamines also comes in combination with a decongestant called pseudoephedrine. I know many patients who rely totally on Claritin-D because the decongestant component gives more relief for nasal congestion. The plain antihistamines help to sneeze and to itch more than congestion. Here’s the catch: the “D” in these decongestants can cause side effects that don’t occur with the plain antihistamine.

Is Alavert a generic?

Each is also available as a generic: Alavert, Fexofenadine and Cetirizine. You can definitely save money with the generic, and it’s comparable to the name brand. Each of these antihistamines also comes in combination with a decongestant called pseudoephedrine.

Does Claritin D help with nasal congestion?

Each of these antihistamines also comes in combination with a decongestant called pseudoephedrine. I know many patients who rely totally on Claritin-D because the decongestant component gives more relief for nasal congestion. The plain antihistamines help to sneeze and to itch more than congestion.

Can decongestants affect sleep?

Sleep is affected by decongestants. I have patients who think their allergies are affecting their sleep when it turns out the decongestant they are taking at night is the cause. Decongestants are similar to caffeine’s effect on the body and with a longer-lasting effect.

Who is Dean Mitchell?

Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D. is a Board Certified Allergist and Immunologist based out of NYC. He graduated from the Sackler School of Medicine and completed training at the Robert Cooke Allergy Institute in New York City. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the author of Dr. Dean Mitchell’s Allergy and Asthma Solution: The Ultimate Program for Reversing Your Symptoms One Drop at a Time. Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D. has also been featured in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Fitness Magazine, Dr. Oz and News NY 1. Dr. Mitchell also hosts the podcast The Smartest Doctor in the Room – a combination of a lively, personal and in-depth interview with top healthcare specialists.

Very Important! Please Read!

As a general rule all oral allergy, cold and sinus medications need to be stopped 5 days prior to skin testing.

Specific Medications

The following is a list of medications that needs to be stopped before skin testing in order to obtain accurate results. We understand that some of these may be difficult to stop. If you have concerns about stopping any of the following medications please discuss this with your physician’s office and let us know.

Can you take Benadryl and Zyrtec at night?

OTC allergy meds: Combining Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and zyrtec may make you very drowsy so take it at night. You may like to try fexofenadine or Allegra instead; it' ... Read More

Is it bad to have allergies in spring?

Spring allergies can be bad, but there are still options. An OTC nasal steroid spray (like Flonase or Nasacort) used consistently (every day) and with proper technique (point outwards towards ear), Saline sinus rinses daily also can help. See an allergist to determine exactly what you are allergic to.