Allergy consultant suggested Zirtek, as Piriton makes DS hyper - turns out Zirtek is the same - now what?

[Jackaroo]

Could it be an E-number thing or something?

Gave him some Zirtek for the first time at the weekend - for rhinitis, not allergy, just to test it out as it were - didn't sleep well for 2 nights.

Just looked up the 2 E numbers involved in both, and neither is listed as potentially causing hyperactivity, just allergic skin reaction (yes, in an anti-allergy preparation!)...

So what is going on?!

claritin/loratradine?

Vallergan?
Apparently it's similar to piriton but without the yellow colouring.

Don't know if you can get it without a prescription though

my ds was like that with zirtek

we use benedryl now

not sure about the E-number deal but have been through the mill of OTC antihistamines and basically it boils down to three:

cetirizine (Zirtek, Benadryl, Piriteze)
chlorphenamine (Piriton)
loratadine (Clarityn)

IME only one ever works for one person and the other two either drive them mad or send them to sleep...

I think MrsBadger is right about only one ever working for one person.
DS1 has Cetrizine
DS2 has Chlorphenamine
I take Loratadine

Luckily the boys have theirs on prescription or it could start getting expensive

agree about them not always working, maybe try clarityn? Have you got an air filter, that might help.

loratadine is the only one that I can take (and only at night as it knocks me out).

The others - one makes me itchy, and the other makes me hyper and heart race (were it not for the heart racing thing I would take it lots - get soooooooooo much done )

I'm going to print this off and take it to my GP!! Cheers!

I Take loratadine (Clarityn) and Telfast, but I'm not sure that's suitable for children.

Piriton makes me.....well......odd I suppose

Mm, I'm just realising that maybe what I thought was my son being hyperactive may just be him - he behaved the same way yesterday when pretending to be "cross Pingu"

No, not sleeping for a night or two at a time is definitely not him. I'll let you know how it goes this afternoon. New doctor, new explanations, new expectations of being considered a difficult mother!

Be careful when buying because Piriton (chlorphenamine) also make pititeze (cetirizine), Benadryl Allergy Relief(acrivastine) make Benadryl Once A Day (cetirizine). Zirtek is cetirizine too.

I also discovered when buying Boots own one-a-day tablets that they do 2 in identical packaging. One is the same as Benadryl and suitable for over-6s and one is something else and isn't. They do put the active ingredient on the front but unless you remember to check carefully, you can get the wrong one.

Mm, the Benadryl that is like Zirtek, is the one we have - I'm sure Acrivastine is for over 6's only?

Nightmare!

My DD2 gets Cetirizine on presecription from her respiratory consultant. We have found it great for her - it works really quickly and well(Piriton didn't help her allergy at all). She is just over two.

Before my experience with DD2 I thought that these drugs were much of a muchness, but it seems that the right one must be out there! Hope you get things sorted.

Patsy
x

Have you heard of Medinose ?
Having suffered for years, I had tried pretty much everything and have recently found this, it really works and no side affects, my 3 year old uses it aswell with no problems.
I just wish they had invented it sooner!

Nope the Benadryl Allergy Relief (Acrivastine) one is for 12 years and over only, the Benadryl one a day tabs you can buy in supermarkets and general sale and non pharmacies (smaller packs of cetirizine) are for 6 years and over and the exact same Benadryl cetirizine one a day you buy from behind the counter in the pharmacy can be sold to under 6s......

Very confusing

We are also fans of medinose but I'm a bit nervous about suggesting it for young children because they haven't tested the long term effects. It is high intensity light and hence there is a theoretical skin cancer risk. Happy to recommend it for adults, if my partner forgets to use it I really notice the difference. I'd probably use it short term for a teenager around exam time but personally I'd like a bit more testing before regular use on a very young child.

Thanks Tatt - I'm thinking of insisting my DH uses Medinose (constant sniffling rhinitis), but I need a syrup for DS in the event of eating egg, being stung by a wasp, etc etc... that sort of allery, rather than hayfever sort.

Looks very intriguing I must say!

Jennster - huh I'm going to read that again when I've left work

we'd been thinking about Medinose then saw a mumsnet thread about the Lloyds Allergy Reliever device - similar but a fraction of the price. Can't see it on their website now but worth checking the shops if there is one near you.