Antihistamines - Piriton

[Suzy55]

Hi there, does anyone take piriton daily? How many do you take? (Or has anyone taken piriton for a period, if so how many for how long?) Also, if you take piriton but decide to grade down to cetirizine, do you need a gap before switching? Thank you!

Why is it grading down?
If they are only 1 a day the effects won't be cumulative so not sure why you would need a break?

I take cetirizne because piriton are so bloody expensive!

I take antihistamine daily but cetirizine hydrochloride and loratadine not Piriton. Sometimes I take fexofenadine.

Piriton is gen 1 antihistamine, makes you drowsy so I've always avoided it. And it costs more as it is a brandname.

Is it more effective than gen 2 antihistamines?? No one told me that before

Piriton seems to have a faster effect on me than the one-a-days, so I often use it for one-off reactions, whereas I use the one-a-days when I have to take a antihistamine every day. Piriton doesn't make me drowsy. But when I have had to use Piriton for more than 2-3 days in a row (the longest, I think, was 3-4weeks) it gives me a very dry mouth. Not a problem in the day, but the dry mouth disturbs my sleep.

I take 3-4 per day, spread out as evenly as possible. IIRC the max is 6/24h. It is cheap if you take the generic chlorphenamine (but check I've got the name right!).

If you want to switch to the 1/day, you can just start taking them. No needs to wean off or wait.

My husband takes these daily (he has attacks frequently where his lips swell so was advised to ya them preventatively). He has the generic non branded version from our local chemist which are less than £1.50 a pack I think. I agree the branded version are expensive.

He hasn’t noticed any side effects but best to check with GP.

In terms of dose he takes 1 a day. He was advised by consultant to take 2 or 3 if his lips tingle (an early warning sign of attack) and follow with steroids if tingling does not stop.

But please get medical advice and don’t rely on internet randoms like me!