Allegra users: does it last 24 hours for you?

[LisaR]

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?

 

[wiigirl]

I take Allegra...and no I don't feel the full effects for the 24-hour period.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

I don't feel the full 24 hours either, but it works better than anything else I've tried.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Allegra is the favorite here as well. There's also a lower dose that you take every 12 hours. Maybe that would work for you??

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

No, not at all and it's the only allergy med that seems to work for me. I wish it lasted longer. It also makes me sleepy, which I don't think it is supposed to.

 

[faerieprincess]

I take a 24-hour pill every 12 hours plus often a Benadryl too. But it's still the one that works "best".

 

[LisaR]

Allegra is the favorite here as well. There's also a lower dose that you take every 12 hours. Maybe that would work for you??

I was thinking about that this morning. I wonder if two 60mg pills spread out would work better. I will have to try that.

I take a 24-hour pill every 12 hours plus often a Benadryl too. But it's still the one that works "best".

I've considered taking another dose at the 12 hour mark but I am too chicken! I can't believe you can take two Allegra in 24 hours plus Benadryl and not sleep for three days! If I take one Benadryl and nothing else, I am out cold for hours on end and I have that "medicine head" feeling that rest of the day.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

My son does Allergra, Zyrtec, or Claritin (there's really no difference for him, so we do what's on sale) in the a.m. and Benedryl at bedtime to get 24 hours coverage. He also does Singulair, a nasal steroid, and an inhaler with Symbicort. The steroids make the biggest difference.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I really wonder if anything I take works. Right now I'm taking Claritin plus flonase. Dr. suggested it's time to change it up again and I"m going to go to either zyrtec or allegra. The thing with allergies is in the times I feel better is the irritant just less present? There are chunks of time when I'm not really breathing through my nose. When I do I'll notice and get all excited.

 

[eliza61]

None of that stuff last 24 hours for me. 14-16 max. Right now I'm on flonase and charitan

 

[faerieprincess]

I've considered taking another dose at the 12 hour mark but I am too chicken! I can't believe you can take two Allegra in 24 hours plus Benadryl and not sleep for three days! If I take one Benadryl and nothing else, I am out cold for hours on end and I have that "medicine head" feeling that rest of the day.

Well, the Benadryl does knock me out, but the Allegra doesn't. I take non-drowsy in the morning and the regular in the evening. Usually there are only a few weeks where it's really bad - I live in northern Ontario and my worst allergen is birch; it's a short season. When the birch trees aren't active a single Allegra usually does me ok against the other trees and flowers.

 

[momof1princess]

OP, i'm allergic to pretty much everything, and NOTHING works 24 hours for me. i've tried it all - benedryl, allegra, zyrtec, claritin, flonase, nasonex - just to name a few. nothing works for more than 6 hours. i DREAD spring. don't get me wrong, i despise cold weather, but, as soon as the weather warms up, i'm going to be completely miserable for 2-3 months.

 

[disfan07]

I take Zyrtec in the morning, Allegra in the afternoon and benadryl at night. I also use Zetonna (awesome new nasal spray) but I still have daily allergy symptoms which isn't surprising. I'm allergic to basically everything and I have an IgE over 1000 (it's like at least 5 times normal level).

So in short....no...Allegra does not work for 24 hours for me...lol

 

[sookie]

I think out of all the meds available it is the best one out there for me. A lot of people will use it in conjunction with a nasal spray or another med if their doctor recommends it.

 

[Robinrs]

Thanks for reminding me to take it!!!

Mine usually works 24 hours, as long as I don't spend a lot of time outside. I've found that Allegra is the only one that really helps me.

 

[averill94]

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.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I've always used WITH another(Flonase ect...) and that seems to be a good combo for me.

 

[aprilchem]

I'm another one who has to combine - my allergies are strange, in that I don't get a really stuffy nose but I DO get hearing loss (caused by congestion) if I don't keep on top of my allergies. Right now I'm taking Flonase, Claritin, and Mucinex. I take the simplest Mucinex that just has guaifenisin in it. If I drop one of those the hearing loss comes back, but hopefully I'll only have to take them for just a few weeks - our allergy season is almost over.

 

[msjprincess]

I take zyrtec at bedtime and Flonase in the morning. It works great for me.

 

[Pembo]

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?!