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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take a second antihistamine?

60 replies

StellarLunar · 27/06/2019 21:36

OK so I know we should really follow the advice on the box etc....
But I took my antihistamine this morning. My eyes are soooooo itchy and I've another 12 hours to the next dose.
AIBU to take another???

OP posts:
creamofcarnation · 27/06/2019 21:36

I often take more than one, plus eye drops, plus nasal spray.

creamofcarnation · 27/06/2019 21:37

But depends how strong they are ??

Original poster
StellarLunar · 27/06/2019 21:39

I don't know how strong they are, they're otc. But the instructions say just one a day. Maybe tomorrow I'll do half and half

OP posts:
Mammajay · 27/06/2019 21:39

Definitely OK to take 2 one a day occasionally

FrankiesKnuckle · 27/06/2019 21:39

Which ones?
I often double up, I'm still standing.
Would rather that than to scratch my own eyes out.

bridgetreilly · 27/06/2019 21:40

So long as you don't have to drive anywhere or be in charge of small children, because it can easily knock you out.

AllFourOfThem · 27/06/2019 21:41

I used to get them on prescription and they were around eight times the strength so an extra one won’t be an issue.

LizB62A · 27/06/2019 21:42

I often have to take two, I'm not dead yet Smile

raspberrypancakes · 27/06/2019 21:43

My doctor told me it was fine to double up when it was bad (just normal antihistamines nothing strong)

FakeTanandProsecco · 27/06/2019 21:43

I keep both cetirizine (Sorry can't remember how to spell it) and loratidine in and sometimes take both on the same day if one isn't enough. Loratidine makes me sleepy though. My hayfever is goddamn awful this year, you have my sympathies!

blackteasplease · 27/06/2019 21:43

I have them on prescription, stronger than the ones you buy and I'm allowed 3. So I guess you are fine.

slowco4ch · 27/06/2019 21:45

My doctor previously said the non-drowsy element is ruined by taking two so no massive impact. What I will say though is taking Certirizine in the morning and Loratadine in the evening or vice versa stops this happening. On a bad day though, I have been known to take one of each in the morning and one of each in the evening!

recrudescence · 27/06/2019 21:46

Big margin of safety on OTC antihistamines - fine to take another.

Bostyrone · 27/06/2019 21:46

Depends what they are. Some will make you very drowsy.

But the newer ones simply block receptors and for the most part aren’t really dose responsive so it’s probably better to take two different ones rather than two of the same one.

Bostyrone · 27/06/2019 21:48

Slowcoach your doctor is wrong there, the big plus of certirizine was that it didn’t cross the blood brain barrier and in the v few patients that did get side effects, there is a (crappy, overpriced) isomer called levocertirizine which had similar efficacy.

Merryoldgoat · 27/06/2019 21:49

I frequently take two at a time.

Outnumb3red · 27/06/2019 21:49

I often double up. Take one in the morning and again before bed.
Also like taking some liquid piriton in the morning with the tablet as I feel the liquid works quicker

orangeshoebox · 27/06/2019 21:50

which one?
dc sometimes has reactions that need more than a normal dose. dc then takes 2 cetirizine tablets, one mornings one before bed.

PickAChew · 27/06/2019 21:51

If your eyes are bothering you, you'd be better off using cromoglicate eye drops - they're really effective
www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-hayfever-relief-w-v-eye-drops-10ml-10190807

Daftapath · 27/06/2019 21:51

DS has been taking daily loratidine since he was age 7 or so. His consultant recommended that he took a cetitizine tablet when required too - one in the morning and one at night. Takes cetitizine in the evening as that makes him drowsy
When he has a severe reaction to something he also takes liquid piriton and we do not stick to the guidelines there either. He will have 10-15mls and more if he has a follow up reaction.

orangeshoebox · 27/06/2019 21:53

tbh for myself a steroid nasal spray, like beconase, works better than any antihistamine. but that's individual.

Elderflower14 · 27/06/2019 21:55

I'm on a large fexofenadine. I nearly look a 2nd one earlier... I had one at 8 am and eye drops and nasal spray too.
Eyes were itching again by 5.30... 😔 😔 😔 😔

scoobyd2 · 27/06/2019 21:58

Take piriton (ordinary, not the one-a-day). My DM was told a couple of years back at a hospital that it was safe to take double dose. Been doing it ever since if my symptoms have been bad. After about 5 weeks I get a bit dozy.... but other than that, no problems at all!!

AnnieOH1 · 27/06/2019 22:00

Try Actimist allergy (asda do an own brand at nearly a third of the price). It's a spray rather than eye drops. Plus maybe a Vicks or olbas inhaler to help with any nasal symptoms.

Do not double your dosage IF you have any kidney problems particularly. As a one off you'll be fine but please speak to your GP or pharmacist if you find the single dose OTC isn't working.

Purplejay · 27/06/2019 22:04

Its fine to take 2 occasionally. I am on antibiotics for insect bites which have turned nasty and have been told I can also take 2 of the 1 per day antihistamines as well short term.

It is worth trying different ones too as you may find some more effective than others,