Is there anything strong than claritan-D for allergies?!
Question:
Is there anything strong than claritan-D for allergies?
My husband has allergies and claritan doesn't always help. Can the doctor prescribe something better. Does anyone have any suggestions. It drives me crazy that he sneezes all day and it really bothers him.
Answers:
Claritin-D contains the anti-histamine loratadine and the decongestant pseudoephedrine. I have not recommended decongestants for a very long time. As some have suggested fexofenadine/Allegra and cetirizine/Zyrtec may be a little bit stronger than loratadine/Claritin (or its active metabolite desloratadine/Clarinex). Nonetheless - the issue for me is whether an anti-histamine is what you should be taking. I would advise a corticosteroid nasal spray (such as the fluticasone/Flonase referred to). The use of these has relegated anti-histamines to add-on status and even then I question when break-through symptoms occur that you need an antibiotic rather than simply adding an anti-histamine. Corticosteroid nasal sprays are safe and virtually devoid of side effects. They are available only by prescription however and they are not inexpensive.