Best immediate relief for seasonal allergies and non-immediate?

[TridenT]

I'm trying to find eye drops and pills to help with seasonal allergies. I'd like to find eye drops for immediate use, pills for daily upkeep, and pills for immediate use. (In case the allergies are just coming on really strong)

What do you guys highly recommend? I've had an OK experience with generic zyrtec pills. They take like a month to really become any bit effective though. A friend of mine hasn't been taking their medication and so they're hoping for some immediate relief. Any suggestions on that? Something non-drowsy preferably...

 

[Colt45]

The only thing I find that works fast are first gen antihistamines, diphenhydramine (benadryl), doxylamine, etc.

They put you into a coma, but that's the trade-off for something that actually works.
(you get resistant after a while, so if you have a few day stint of bad allergy it isn't bad).


edit;
If you have something chronic, steroids are usually the way to go. But they have some long term effects... so it's best to man up if you can. They are really slow to take effect, rx only, and should be taken continuously.

 

[Gibsons]

Short term: Azelastine, takes 10 minutes or so for my nasal issues. There are eyedrops as well, haven't tried or needed them.

Long term: fluticasone/Flonase. I was really hesitant to try this, because it's a steroid. But it works.

 

[xanis]

Out of the big three (Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin) Zyrtec is the only one that actually seems to work, so that's what I use.

 

[techs]

I have found, and it seems supported by research, that antihistamines of any generation work far better if taken prophalactically before an allergy attack.

For me, I take Claritin every morning. Some days that doesn't do much then I hit the Benadryl. The thing with the drowsiness causing antihistamines is if you take them for 3-4 days in a row the drowsiness is no longer a problem.

 

[blackdogdeek]

I take non-drowsy, 24-hour Claritin-D. My itchy eyes, wheezing and nasal congestion usually go away within 15 to 30 minutes.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I go to Sams Club and buy their generic Zyrtec or Allegra. (Like $14/year supply)

When my allergies get REALLY bad as they did a week or so ago, my sinuses got inflamed. I had bad sinus headache. I was taking Advil and Tylenol both. The Advil was the only thing that took care of the inflamation in my sinuses and the Tylenol was for pain....

 

[onza]

If you are inside at home, I suggest you upgrade your furnace filters so you can breathe in clean fresh air.

Otherwise the mentioned drugs above should help as well.

 

[dr150]

Go to Costco and buy the generic brands of Claritin, Zyrtec and the more expensive Allegra. On sale they can be had at $10-$21 or $15-$30 non-sale. Benadryl is even cheaper (it's very effective but makes some people drowsy--not me)

One of these should work for you. For me, Claritin and Benadryl worked best by far. Others would say Zyrtec (didn't do anything for me) or Allegra. Allegra is currently the most expensive so should be tried last if the cheaper brands don't work for your allergies.

Try to find two brands that work for you as your body will create an immunity if you use one brand too religiously.

Also get an RX for your sinuses such as Flonase (in comparison, the non-RX stuff can't be used too frequently and is much less effective). Just email your doctor to give you an RX and have it sent to your pharmacy in order to save the gas and co-pay to the doctor's office.

The oft-recommended combo of Flonase and pills should get you by.

Try to limit your outings on windy, high pollen count days if you're sensitive to this shit.

 

[richardycc]

I use neti pot (in conjunction with taking Allegra.) to clear out my sinuses, my symptoms are mostly gone.

 

[brainhulk]

Hydroxyzine + dexamethasone + ranitidine + azelastine opthalmic solution + fluticasone nasal + cetirizine

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Hydroxyzine + dexamethasone + ranitidine + azelastine opthalmic solution + fluticasone nasal + cetirizine

don't forget the epi-pen and xolair

 

[brainhulk]

don't forget the epi-pen and xolair

That would be a tad too much

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Go to Costco and buy the generic brands of Claritin, Zyrtec and the more expensive Allegra. On sale they can be had at $10-$21 or $15-$30 non-sale. Benadryl is even cheaper (it's very effective but makes some people drowsy--not me)

At Costco their Kirkland brand generic Benadryl is almost free. It's something like $5 or $6 for a jar of 600. Less than a penny a pill.

 

[Yreka]

Out of the big three (Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin) Zyrtec is the only one that actually seems to work, so that's what I use.

Same here.. Claritin does almost nothing for me. (Generic) Zyrtec is my goto.