Question:
Need recommendations for an allergy medication that won't aggravate my panic
disorder. Which allergy meds (prescription, non-prescription) seem not to aggravate
panic/anxiety symptoms? Which ones should I avoid (Sudafed?)
Answer:
I've had good luck with both Claritin and Zyrtec for allergies. Both
work and didn't aggrevate anxiety for me. Sudafed, Actifed, and the Tylenol cold/allergy products have sent me
through the roof. Not so much anxiety as leaving me feeling spaced out
and as though I've had ten pots of coffee. Since developing Panic Disorder I have avoided sudafed. It can
exacerbate my anxiety symptoms. I do have allergies and have used
Claratyne (Claratin) and do use Telfast (Fexofenadine HCI). The names
are different here. I bought some Loratadine (generic
Claritin) at the local drug store - little 10mg tablets, but I still had
allergy symptoms. What dosage of the Claritin are you taking? I wonder if
10mg is a high enough dose for me. Checked an online pharmacy - they sell
prescription "Claritin D 12 Hour" in dosages from 5 all the way up to 120mg!
When my allergies are not too bad Claratin at 10 mg works for me but I
have not used it for some time now. The other medication I mentioned
is similar to Zyrtec but I can get it OTC at 180 mg.(I am in
Australia) Often I need that strength.
If I have allergic rhinitis, and I usually do, I use Rhinocort nasal
spray. Then there are my eye drops and lotions :P
I keep the pharmacy in business.
Allergies are a pain but if you persist I think it is possible to find
relief. For me that cannot include stimulants like sudafed.
Sometimes it is a matter of trialling the products but I find
pharmacists can be very helpful when asked for advice.
