Comments on: Zyrtec vs. Claritin vs. Allegra

By: Lizatthebeach

Lizatthebeach — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:47:50 +0000

Hi all. The value of these blogs: I just got prescribed Allegra, but now won’t take it, even though it cost bucks, because of the notes about insomnia. Many thanks. Other thoughts: 1. The “D” is for decongestant, so it’s possible it could cause heart problems in large amts. 2. Don’t use Afrin more than 3 days; can cause the nose bleeds. Flonase shouldn’t be used long term, either, but if you can keep the allergens under control most of the time, you shouldn’t need to. 3. Why is Allegra 180 mg, but most other antihistimines, i.e., Zyrtec, only 10 mg? Does this really mean Allegra is 18x more powerful? THAT’s amazing. NO wonder it works! 4. My drug book says Allegra and Zyrtec are the same generic Fexofenadine, and that Allegra is the generic, but Zyrtec is the brand name. So, except for the dosage, these should act the same. Why the price difference? 5. If you get the doc to write your diagnosis as a “cold” instead of an “allergy” your insurance may cover it. Just a tip I heard. 6. I used to take Loratidine (brand name is Claritin) and it worked for years. Now, new environment, more humid, and zap, didn’t work. Trying to find the right combo. 7. Has anyone found a good preventive for Christmas greens, e.g., trees, allergy attacks? Thanks.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 21:30:25 +0000

“You seriously have to be a moron to think that generic versions are worse than the originals. You are throwing your money away because you are too dumb to take a science course or do a little research.

Generic drugs have the same quality control requirements as brand name drugs, as set by the FDA. The FDA does REQUIRE that all generics are exactly the same (except for inactive ingredients) as brand name products.”

Sorry pal, but your facts are not up to date. Generics are ALLOWED to have as much as 20% difference in how much actual medication is in each pill. 20, Twenty, one more than 19%-seriously. If the generic isn’t working, try the original. If you can’t afford the newer name brands take an extra half tablet or even an extra whole tablet. You may actually get it to balance out to 100% relief.

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:11:42 +0000

It’s your lucky day! Allegra is OTC now!!

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:19:11 +0000

Almost nobody knows about Flunisolide (generic for what I can’t remember any longer—been on this for about 25 years now. I’ve tried all the nasal steroids and have always gone back to Flunisolide….and it’s super cheap too. With insurance it’s $10.00 and if you order from Canada if you don’t have insurance it’s like $26.00 or so. I have HORRIBE allergies to everything indoors and out and this is the only thing I need.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:16:11 +0000

Generics are chemically identical BUT do not necessarily release in the body the same way. I have experienced differences with generics.

By: jenny

jenny — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:50:07 +0000

I have developed some indoor and outdoor allergies, along with asthma, once I hit my middle 20’s, so I take allergy meds all year long. I started out taking claritin, which didn’t do much but give me dry eyes and mouth. I then switched to Zyrtec which works wonders, and has never really caused me any drowsiness. Zyrtec combined with Singulair (using Zyrtec in the morning and Singulair at night) pretty much covers my symptoms about 95% of the time. A couple weeks ago I decided to switch to the generic Zyrtec after being told it worked just as well as the regular. I was very happy when I received relief within an hr of taking it, but soon realized it didn’t last as long. I found I was waking up several times throughout the night for hour-long coughing and wheezing sessions. Once I switched back to the regular Zyrtec, I was symptom free pretty much all day again.

By: Will

Will — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:59:34 +0000

Its been in the news,
Not all generics or Brand Name drugs are the same,
conterfeit drugs are in the US even in Pharmacies.
Causing even more problems now for Doctors and Hospitals
in treating people.
even if Generics are the same, the ingredients may come from not so good places and have foreign materiel in them. They may even be processed in
a much different way then brand name drugs.

By: cary mcdonald

cary mcdonald — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:10:01 +0000

Please be careful out there!
NONE of these antihistamines have been tested for long term usage;. Your personal evaluations regarding blocking seasonal, environmental and air-borne allergins is ENTIRELY missing the fact these symptoms may be just one issue you have.
Note that almost all GI tract issues (Colitis, Irritable bowl, etc. etc. ), arthritic conditions, and heart/heart-valve, single artery disease,- all these potentially fatal issues are FREQUENTLY mediated by Mast Cell involvement, and playing with H1, H2 blockers LIKE CANDY could be fine for a runny eyes, but, when you withdraw, or change ‘pills’, result in a bad heart, or colitis, or worse. These diseases are all connected after-all by Mast-Cell mediation. Yeah, some folks here have a better handle on it (for themselves) then some MD’s, so be choosy about your physician. Age and general health all must come into your personal equation.

By: Madelyn Ewing

Madelyn Ewing — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:01:14 +0000

I take generic Allegra in the PM and over the counter Zyrtec in the AM. So far, it is the first combo of drugs that have worked for me. I also take 75 mg Zantac (yes, an acid reduction pill) and according to my doctor, it is supposed to help the allergy meds be more effective. I’m not recommending this combination of drugs to anyone; just saying that I have suffered the entire year and am finally getting some relief on these three medications (Allegra, Zyrtec and Zantac). No telling what the side effects will be long term. I have noticed that the Allegra in the evenings is causing insomnia so I will probably switch & take Allegra in the morning and Zyrtec in the evening.

My symptoms were predominately extreme itching of the eyes, watery eyes, nasal congestion and mild asthma. I take Proventil as needed for the asthma, but not often.

I agree with the writer who stated generic and brand name drugs are equivalent. However you must consider the INACTIVE ingredients of the generics. For instance, if red dye is in the generic and not the brand name drug, you could be allergic to the red dye and get no relief from the generic. The difference between the two is the inactive ingredients, not the active ingredients. The active ingredients in the brand & generic drugs are the same.

Sam’s Club has good prices on generic Zyrtec or Claritin.

I stay away from “D” products as I’ve heard they can cause heart problems.

My greatest concern is the effect of these meds on chronic dry eye. It is my understanding that all antihistimines dry out the eyes, but that the old class of antihistimines (the Benedryl, Chlortrimeton, etc.) are far more drying than the new antihistimines like Allegra or Zyrtec.

Good luck.

By: John

John — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 04:28:14 +0000

Joe-

Plenty of research has come out lately proving that many generics are less effective than name-brands. You are correct in that the active drug must be produced to the same standards; however, you also pointed out that the inactive ingredients do not.

And therein lies the problem: The inactive ingredients in generic drugs are inferior, and it is these inactive ingredients that determine how (or even if) the active drug will be effectively absorbed by your body.

Look it up.