Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Chouetted · 27/06/2019 22:16

I take two a day, they wear off too soon for me - one in the morning and one at night works well. My asthma nurse said that in that situation it's fine, as they don't actually last for exactly 24 hours.

Hefzi · 27/06/2019 22:19

My GP told me that it's OK to take up to 4 OTC cetirizine a day in extremis.

Fexofenifine did sweet fa for me, but Montelukast has been a game changer.

Chloe9 · 27/06/2019 22:23

I take two, sometimes more, for my allergies
I suffer with everything from hay fever to anaphylactic so tend to err on the side of caution

AliceAbsolum · 27/06/2019 22:24

GP told me to take 3 so I do.

Batqueen · 27/06/2019 22:26

Ask the chemist for chlorphenamine maleate. It’s an antihistamine you can take every 4-6 hours - so much more effective!

RavenousBabyButterfly · 27/06/2019 22:30

I often do, plus eye drops, plus nasal spray. I hate hayfever.

ShinyButtons · 27/06/2019 22:35

I was doubling the dose of otc antihistamines and it still wasn't helping the only effect it had was to make me sleepy.

I got some fexofenadine on prescription last week and it's bèen amazing. I've gone from being a snotty red eyed mess to having almost no symptoms.

AnneLovesGilbert · 27/06/2019 22:40

Eye drops better for itchy eyes but I used to take two antihistamines a day to treat chronic hives for months on end on doctor’s advice.

YesQueen · 27/06/2019 22:46

I take 4 cetirizine a day, every day not dead yet

123rd · 27/06/2019 22:46

Our gp recently told me that my 15 yr old dd should be taking one anti his tab x2 a day. ( morning & evening. She does lots of outdoor sort) And these are meds that are supposed to be only over 18 yr old. He said she needs them and it's more than ok

YesQueen · 27/06/2019 22:47

At one point I was on about 380mg antihistamines so equivalent of 38 x one a day tablets. Still didn't work (I don't take them for hay fever) so I stuck with my 4 a day

ChoudeBruxelles · 27/06/2019 22:49

I’ve just taken my fourth today. 1x loratadine, 1x cetrizine, 1x Benadryl, 1 x portion plus two types of nasal spray and eye drops. My eyes are still scratchy.

LittleCandle · 27/06/2019 22:50

DD1 has very strong prescribed antihistamines and has been told she can take double her normal dose if the need arises, as it often does (multiple allergies) and she's always been fine with that. If you are affected by the ones that make you drowsy, then buy two different kinds and get a non-drowsy one, too.

ChoudeBruxelles · 27/06/2019 22:52

I will probably take another loratadine and cetrizine too when I go to bed.

Grandadwasthatyou · 27/06/2019 22:54

Can anybody enlighten me on the difference between loratidine and cetirizine? I just buy my supplies from the pound shop and never know which ones to choose.

TheDarkPassenger · 27/06/2019 22:59

Have you tried fexofenadine? It worked brill for me for years then suddenly last year I had an allergic reaction to it! Bloody gutted. Now I just pop ceterizine like it’s going out of fashion but if I let it get bad I have repeated asthma attacks and have to go on steroids so it’s either OD on that or ruin my body with those!

TheDarkPassenger · 27/06/2019 23:00

Grandad they’re just different drugs, Loratadine doesn’t do much for me I’m afraid! :(

Chouetted · 27/06/2019 23:03

@Grandadwasthatyou While i'm not in anyway qualified to give advice, I would suggest picking one and sticking with it. if it doesn't work, try the other?

FrankiesKnuckle · 27/06/2019 23:21

Fexofenidine has had zero affect on me sadly, I had high hopes for it!
Hence the double up on certrizine, I also use nasal spray and eye drops and a Piriton at bedtime.

I hate being allergic to summer.

Keepthebloodynoisedown · 27/06/2019 23:26

I’ve taken 2 loratadine and 2 cetirizine today. Unfortunately Tesco seems to have run out of piriton which is really annoying.
Also using nose spray and eye drops.

YesQueen · 27/06/2019 23:29

Don't forget to check money saving expert health section for the cheapest ones. I buy in bulk and you can get 120 cetirizine for £2.80 and free delivery

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cheap-hayfever-remedies/

PotsOfJoy · 27/06/2019 23:30

Swallowed packs of Zirtek washed down with Archers on numerous occasions in the past, without adverse effect. Unsure why we took that course of action back then!

hartof · 27/06/2019 23:33

If they're standard 10mg do it! I take fexofenadine which are 180mg so 20mg won't do you any harm. I have hay fever tablets from America which are stronger than the standard ones here and you take 1 every 4 hours.

Do you have a nose spray? They help lots too

drsausage · 27/06/2019 23:44

IME antihistamines do nothing for my itchy eyes whereas steroid nasal spray really helps.

But since having allergy shots I don't need either.

Sparklesocks · 27/06/2019 23:46

I often take 2 a day on bad pollen days but they absolutely knock me out! I’m snoring on the sofa an hour later