To combine anti-histamines???

[LEMisdisappointed]

My hay-fever is a nightmare this year :( I have been taking Zirtec but not really having much effect on it. Zirtec is Citrizine hydrochloride. I found a couple of boots own in the cupboard so took those INSTEAD, and they are slightly better but again by the evening my nose is streaming, my mouth is itchy, eyes streaming and sore and just hellish.

I know my friend and her family combine (i dont know what ones) and remember being about it.

I suppose it would depend if the combined drugs are the same like asprin and ibruprofen, or ibruprofen and paracetemol.

I am also taking ADs but there are no contr-indications listed.

I can't take beconnase snorty hayfever remedies because they give me palpitations.

[dangly131]

If they are 10mg then I would assume you can. I have 180mg because I am allergic to life and sometimes if I have an attack I take a few piriton tablets on top of those to prevent a trip to A and E or try and slow the effects until I get there. I was advised to take these by my GP alongside my usual ones.

[Meerkatwhiskers]

Nothing in the BNF to suggest you can't.

I am a student nurse and about to start a district nursing placement. I can't take my antihistamines with my travel sickness patches as they are contraindicated (I get rather car sick and vomming in my mentors car would not be a good look haha). So spare me a snotty thought for the next 6 weeks lol. I'm hoping they will dry me up instead as they are also used for people who have lots of 'secretions'

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

When dd had an all over allergic rash when she was pretty little we gave her piriton at home. First thing the gp (who saw her 10 minutes after we phoned) was give her another kind of antihistamine too. I can't remember which the other one was though.

[Musicaltheatremum]

Why don't you try adding a nasal spray and eye drops. (See your pharmacist). Re combining. It isn't recommended without medical input, and 180mg vs 10mg is because it is a completely different drug. Don't whatever you do take 18 x 10mg tablets! There are risks of problems with the heart rhythm if you take too much and although some allergy clinics advise higher doses this is an unlicensed use of the medication. My daughter used mometasone spray and I have used beconase. Both work. It is worth trying different things though.

[LEMisdisappointed]

I can't take beconase as it buggers my heart rhythms. Was going to buy some acrivastine but the pharmacist says its causes drowsines and seeing as piriton knocks me out i thought better of it. Don't worry, im not about to pop 10 tablets although i think I am going to take a zirtec even though i took a loratidine this morning. I think I will try and get a doctors appointment to discuss it as i am also taking citalopram. The reason i wanted to know about combining as they are different drugs, but of course if they are the same "family" then its no good.

[5madthings]

My go prescribed me two different kinds, chlorphenamine and another kind..

[ilikesweetpeas]

I have taken zirtec and loratidine, not sure if I should have done but have always been fine and the combination helps my hay fever!

[insanityscratching]

We've resorted to acrivistine and clarityn here but no good if it affects your heart. Have you tried the nose sprays and eye drops as well as we've done that at times too. Not tried the Pirinase but Beconase used to help.

[Oldraver]

I was taking Loratidene OTC(its a one a day) for a few years and it started to not work so I asked the pharmacist if I could take another one on top and was told they would say 'no' but I should see my GP.

Gp said it was fine to take two different types but recommended I have a nasal spray, Avamys and Cetirizene.... which wiped me out so I have reverted to Loratidene with the spray which seems to be keeping it at bay.

I also have chloraphenemaine maleate (generic Piriton) for when my eczema is at its itchy-ist, though this is usually winter time and I only take it at night

[VenusSurprising]

Try loratidine, and top up with piraton.

Also try a NeilMed nasal rinse with salts. It's like a neti pot but it's a squirty bottle and uses salts sachets which you dissolve into the water yourself.. It clears out my blocked nose.

And, although I'm probably going to get shot down for it, but have you thought about homeopathy - it's made a big difference to my allergies: hay fever (ie spring trees and summer grasses) and animal dander.
I got the mixed grasses and cat hair, ready made ones in nelsons homeopathy online.
Homeopathy has really cured my allergies. (I don't know how, and I know it's not placebo).

[eragon]

Go to your GP and get advice for this, my son is prescribed 3 different types of antihistamine, piriton is used after food/ severe enviro reactions, but is on 2 daily types of anti histamine, and nasel spray.
I would also recommend a pollen filter for your bedroom, my son has a ikea cheapie and he still finds it has a good impact on his allergies.
We have now got one for my husband as his asthma goes out of control during his hay fever season.
I will post other tips later if you think they will help?

[meditrina]

We (DS and I) take cetirizine daily in the morning. If symptoms bad, we add piriton a bit before bedtime. This was Ok'ed by GP.

[Pennyacrossthehall]

Please don't post homeopathy mumbo jumbo in a thread asking about medicine.

(shakes head)

[DramaAlpaca]

My son has very bad hay fever.

He takes either loratadine or cetirizine in the morning, and a piriton tablet in the afternoon.

He also has Alomide prescription eye drops and Avamys nasal spray (though I know you can't use those).

Homeopathy had zero effect on his symptoms. Complete & utter waste of money.

[eragon]

I think before bed is the best time to take antihisamines rather than the morning.
antihistamines have a build up effect and should be taken at least 2 weeks before your enviro allergy season.
Taking at night should help with some of the side effects, as even non sedative ones do seem to have an impact on alertness iyswim.

[youarewinning]

My DS takes cetirizine for hayfever and can take chlorphenamine (piriton) for reactions or if needed.

[youarewinning]

Should have said his are prescribed by GP too - so it must be OK.

But you should know it's not licensed for pharmacies to sell both together - getting a prescription for both at the same time has proved difficult in the past.

[valiumredhead]

You can take piriton on top of cetrizine,I asked the pharmacist yesterday. Just don't take then at the same time, take the piriton in the evening as it'll make you drowsy.

[valiumredhead]

You it must be,I was sold some over the counter yesterday.

[EMUZ]

I take an (unlicensed) dose of certirizine, 2 x 10mg in am and 2 x 10mg in the afternoon. Works ok but it's for cholinergic urticaria. Have previously been on combined dose of 185mg of 3 antihistamines

[BlackAffronted]

My mum swears by this hayfever cure, its an mp3 that you listen too (a little woo but works wonders for her) - maybe worth a try? scroll down to the hayfever one

[ExcuseTypos]

I always find pharmacists brilliant with advice about pills. (Better than my Gp)

It will be quicker than making a Gp appointment too.

[youarewinning]

valium I'm coming to your pharmacy - I always get the third degree! Mindyou it's for DS so maybe that's why? He's only 8!

[claretandamberforever]

God mine has been terrible today. Loratidine don't work at all for me, so I take 2 cetirizine in a morning. However on some days I feel completely wiped out by them, not just tired or drowsy, but completely shattered. Walking is a massive effort and it feels like I am wading through treacle, and I came home, sat on the sofa, shut my eyes and woke up 2.5 hours later. Does anyone else feel like this?