Allergies
 

Been taking a generic form of Claritin from Costco which has worked well. But yesterday morning got up and wham running nose, running eyes and cough. No temperature. Last night had to get up for an hour as I could hardly breath. This morning cough and keep blowing my nose. Can hardly talk for sore throat. Still no temperature so fairly sure it is not a cold.

Is there much difference between over the counter medication one brand from another?

Re: Allergies
 

You could try Allegra or a generic equivalent? I think this is only available on prescription or over the counter in the UK (I forget which). It usually has purple packaging.

Re: Allergies
 

I assume you are closing your windows at night. From an allergy perspective I haven't found much difference between the medications. They only reduced the severity of my symptoms, but the symptoms were still there. It never hurts to try a different option.

The only stuff that really worked were steroids, but I am not sure of the name of the medication as I only took those in extreme situations.

Re: Allergies
 

Yep windows are closed, and a good electronic filter of the HVAC. I don't think the generic is as good as the proper Claritin, but normally I can use it and it works. Whatever is in the air now the generic can't touch.

Re: Allergies
 

Nasonex helps me when the the allergy tabs stop working. Can now get it OTC in Canada...not sure about the US.

Re: Allergies
 

Something else I tried was drinking more water. I think it worked, just meant more visits to the toilet.

Re: Allergies
 

I used to get awful hayfever in the UK and nothing seemed to work till I found Beconase. That stuff is amazing.

I haven't had issues here (must be different vegetation?) but I *believe* the US version is called Flonase. If it is the same stuff, I recommend it over Claritin.

Re: Allergies
 

Same here, my hayfever almost disappeared for a few years after moving to the US. I feel it is slowly coming back. Beconase worked for my sneezing, flixonase caused my irritations that I had to stop using it.

Re: Allergies
 

It used to be that all types of allergy medicine worked for me. This year it seemed that cetrizine no longer does and loratradine takes longer to work. Had worse allergies this year than ever, and at different times. Either there is something else I am now allergic to or a local farmer has switched crops to an existing allergy.

The active ingredients in medicines are all exactly the same if they have the same name on the packet. What they are packaged with (the bulk of the pill in most cases) is often different - usually it makes no difference but some people get side effects from different ones. The active ingredient wouldn't stop working though.

Re: Allergies
 

When I was a kid, piriton worked better, but it made me drowsy and had to take it several times a day. The one a day pills never seemed to work as well.

Re: Allergies
 

Also this. I think we currently have the CVS generic at home.

Re: Allergies
 

Looks like it needs a prescription in the US.

Loratradine is the generic form of Claritin and normally works for me. But twice this year it has failed to keep the symptoms in check, and I have switch to Calritin which should be the same but has in fact worked when the generic did not.

Re: Allergies
 

Claritin has the active ingredient Loratradine. So the two should work the same.

Claritin D also contains pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) that helps clear your sinuses.

Did you replace Loratradine with "Claritin" or "Claritin D"?

Re: Allergies
 

Claritin D is prescription only so I just change to Claritin. I know they should be the same but for some reason Claritin works better than the Costco branded generic.

Re: Allergies
 

If your windows are closed and HVAC filter is good, then it must be something in the house for overnight symptoms.
Have you painted your house/ Replaced flooring/carpeting in the last few months? changed washing powder?

Housedust mite allergy?
Maybe vacuum your mattress or change it, steam clean carpets in the bedroom (better still, get rid of carpet altogether) Buy new pillows?

How is your general health? Have you been unwell in the last few months? Had your Vit D levels tested (Take vit d anyway).

Xylitol nasal spray is what I hand out to my kids. It cleans out nasal passages, calms them down and reduces bacterial load.