Allegra users: does it last 24 hours for you?

[Jedana]

We have hit allergy season and my DS and I are suffering. Allegra 180 works great for both of us, but it only lasts for 12 -15 hours.

DS takes his every morning around 7am. He doesn't sneeze or blow his nose all day. Come 8/9pm almost every evening, his nose starts pouring.

I take mine at night (10/11pm). I can sleep through the night without all that gross drainage. But it is 11am now and I am clearing my throat like crazy. Ugh!

DS goes to the allergist in a few weeks so we will discuss this, but I remember this problem last year and there wasn't really a solution. It is the drug that works best for him (and me). I guess it is a good thing that we only suffer for a few months now and one month at the end of summer.

Anyone else find it doesn't last 24 hours?

No, only about 12 hours or so. Zyrtec works longer for me than Allegra, about 16 hours.

 

[msjprincess]

Wow I can't believe all the meds everyone takes for seasonal allergies. I've suffered all my life and rarely take anything because it all makes me so sleepy. I typically just stay in the a/c when things are really bad or just deal with the symptoms. I tried allergy shots and they made some symptoms better but others were made worse (ie cat). My greatest cure has been time. My allergies have greatly improved over the years and after each pregnancy they got better as well. One advantage to getting older...

My mom had severe seasonal allergies (ragweed in August). She promised me they would improve over time and she was right. I wonder if all the meds and shots and such are really making the problem worse?!

That's why I take zyrtec at bedtime.

 

[debknight]

This thread came up after I google taking two allegra as I couldnt remember if I took it this morning! I take one 24 hr allegra as soon as I wake up and then sometimes at night a benadryl.

I put the pills that I need to take in the morning in a 7-day pill minder case (you can buy at the drugstore/grocery store). If the little box for that day is empty, you know you've taken your pill for the day. I refill each week, on the same day of the week.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow I can't believe all the meds everyone takes for seasonal allergies. I've suffered all my life and rarely take anything because it all makes me so sleepy. I typically just stay in the a/c when things are really bad or just deal with the symptoms. I tried allergy shots and they made some symptoms better but others were made worse (ie cat). My greatest cure has been time. My allergies have greatly improved over the years and after each pregnancy they got better as well. One advantage to getting older...

My mom had severe seasonal allergies (ragweed in August). She promised me they would improve over time and she was right. I wonder if all the meds and shots and such are really making the problem worse?!

I have suffered all of my life too. And I could kiss the person who first found all of these wonderful drugs. I was miserable growing up. At least now, I can function without feeling like a zombie.

I saw my Dr about a month ago, when my allergies really started to crank up for the year. I take Claritin every day, but he told me if that started to not work so well to switch to Zyrtec. I also use Flonase, but try to be careful with it, as over time it can really do a number on your nasal cavity.

 

[Monykalyn]

I only take the "D" stuff as it is the only thing that works-Allegra D 24 hour. I find if I take 12.5mg benadryl at night (it is a kids dose) I don't wake up with gunky/itchy eyes as often-so no-the 24 hour stuff isn't 24 hours. It isn't really enough to knock me out but it is enough to keep most of the symptoms at bay. And in my state you have to sign for the D stuff -so if my daughter and I need to take extra we have to send the DH to get more as I would be over the limit! Seriously-I stood there at the pharmacy one time with my eyes swollen, gunky, red and sneezing nonstop-obviously I wasn't using it to make meth! (I have all my teeth too

For whatever reason this year has been one of the worst for allergies!

 

[monsterkitty]

Wow I can't believe all the meds everyone takes for seasonal allergies. I've suffered all my life and rarely take anything because it all makes me so sleepy. I typically just stay in the a/c when things are really bad or just deal with the symptoms. I tried allergy shots and they made some symptoms better but others were made worse (ie cat). My greatest cure has been time. My allergies have greatly improved over the years and after each pregnancy they got better as well. One advantage to getting older...

My mom had severe seasonal allergies (ragweed in August). She promised me they would improve over time and she was right. I wonder if all the meds and shots and such are really making the problem worse?!

I had mild allergies growing up and was never given anything for them. Now as an adult, my allergies are so bad there are days I feel like I'm drowning. There are things that I wasn't allergic to at all until I was an adult.

Currently I use the 12 hour Allegra - one in the morning and one at night with a Benadryl. My doctor said that I could even double up the Benadryl at night with the Allegra.

 

[mel&me]

Never had any of the 24 hr stuff work more than 12-14 hrs

 

[bcla]

I don't know why the 24 hour dose is the most common after it went nonprescription (along with generic fexofenadine). 24 hour is 180 mg, while 12 hour is 60 mg. Way back when I was getting it via prescription, I was told that my 60 count bottle of 60 mg capsules retailed for $150. As soon as loratadine (which doesn't work for most) came on the market in a generic my insurer dropped coverage.

Allegra or the generic is not time released (I asked a pharmacist) so the level in the blood is going to spike and then drop off. A more effective way may be to take two of the "12 hour" doses, although they're harder to find and may be more expensive per tablet than the big bottles (especially at warehouse stores). I typically split a tablet and then use a generic form of Benadryl at night. I feel jittery after taking the 24 hour dose.

I have seen the 60 mg generic tablets at CVS and Walgreens, but they're pricey compared to Costco. Pharmacists can also order them in bottles, but I was told they needed a prescription to place an order.

They do have a new brand name gelcap version. Don't think that will necessarily make a difference.

 

[Shmily1]

I never had allergies until about 7 years ago but remember my parents having it bad when I was growing up and thought they were making it up. lol. Now I take Allegra in the morning, use Qnasl in the morning, take Singulair at night, and use Dymista at night. If I'm really bad with it sometimes, I can add Mucinex Extra Strength every 12 hours, like today.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Allegra always worked better for me than Claritan. It would last 24 hours, but you need to take it a few days in a row to like "charge up" or something.

OH, and do not take it with fruit juice. Apparently that counters the effects of the drug. Seriously, look it up.