Xyzal and allergies

[Ocean Lover]

I currently take Zyrtec but my dr gave me some samples of Xyzal today. I guess it's similar to Zyrtec but doesn't cause drowsiness. Some say it's more effective too. It would have to be a big change to get me to switch. Right now three of us take Zyrtec daily. I buy the biggest bottle (usually 90 tabs) I can find in the generic form. It works well for us and not really expensive. I would guess my monthly copay for just me would equal what I pay now for all three of us. Has anyone tried this?

 

[Rudyjohn]

My son takes Claritin OTC but it causes him to become depressed so he rarely takes it unless he is totally miserable w/ the seasonal allergies. Let me know how this new stuff works and maybe he can try it.

I've never had allergies. It must be awful. According to him, it IS awful!

 

[Minnie]

Yes. Chemically it is the same formula as Zyrtec, is just the prescribed version versus over the counter. Interestingly I too was given samples and did some research today comparing the two.

Here is a good article.

http://www.irf.dk/en/reviews/xyzal_levocetirizine.htm

I found it worked fine, but did not see any improvement over Zyrtec.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Haven't tried it. I am allergic to about 85% of the things for which they test. I grew up sneezing for hours, congested every night. I use to pop about 8 Benedryls a day, just to stay somewhat not bothered by my allergies. When Claritin came out, I jumped on it because it didn't make me goofy-drousy, however, the speed in it would make my mind race at night. I finally ditched the allergy meds and re-evaluated my allergies. I dramatically cut back the foods to which I am allergic. I put dust mite covers on my mattress and pillows. I wash my sheets often. I have no carpet in my house. I have an air filter running in my bedroom 24-7. I try to avoid all cats, as cute and cuddly as they are. My allergies have practically not bothered me at all, unless I break any of these changes. It is amazing, because there have been times in my life when I would have rather died than to suffer any longer from my allergic reaction to things. I now have no very little problem with the windows being open, being outside in nature (except for Pollen Season), and I couldn't be a happier camper, regarding my control over my allergies. I don't miss the things that I have eliminated, because I love the absence of my allergic reactions better than those other things. I think if I had to take a Benedryl today, I might just pass out. I can't believe I used to think that it was my only salvation to free me from my allergy problems.

 

[Miss Critter]

Thanks Minnie. I did not know that Xyzal was prescription Zyrtec minus the drowsiness. Zyrtec really knocks me out. Even when I take it at bedtime, I wake up groggy the next morning. I try to limit allegy meds for all of us as much as possible and subscribe to SJ's approach. We use a neti pot during allergy season (really should do it every day). Though it feels weird the first couple of times, you really do feel a difference in your sinuses. Not only are they more open, but they feel "cleaner," I guess because they are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neti_pot#Jala_neti

Also, Chloraseptic now makes a new allergen blocker gel that you apply topically to the nose. I used it yesterday and last night, and it seemed to work pretty well. It's drug free.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/prod...mp&navCount=0&skuid=sku4102455&id=prod4103585

 

[30A Skunkape]

XYZAL!
Nothing more than drug company marketing to make moolah at our expense. This product should be prescribed to you only if you have failed about 5 others prior to it. It works no better than Zyrtec, which is available as a generic OTC product. Xyzal is zyrtec. If your doc gives you an Rx for this, politely decline and ask why it is any better than generic zyrtec. I put the drug rep on the spot regarding this and about the best I could get was 'a 4% reduction in drowsiness'. Pathetic.

 

[Ocean Lover]

My son takes Claritin OTC but it causes him to become depressed so he rarely takes it unless he is totally miserable w/ the seasonal allergies. Let me know how this new stuff works and maybe he can try it.

I've never had allergies. It must be awful. According to him, it IS awful!

Having severe allergies is awful. Sam grew up in the dr's office because of them. Having seasonal allergies is just a pain in the butt but tolerable.

Yes. Chemically it is the same formula as Zyrtec, is just the prescribed version versus over the counter. Interestingly I too was given samples and did some research today comparing the two.

Here is a good article.

http://www.irf.dk/en/reviews/xyzal_levocetirizine.htm

I found it worked fine, but did not see any improvement over Zyrtec.

I knew it was simliar but didn't realize it was the same thing.:angry:

Haven't tried it. I am allergic to about 85% of the things for which they test. I grew up sneezing for hours, congested every night. I use to pop about 8 Benedryls a day, just to stay somewhat not bothered by my allergies. When Claritin came out, I jumped on it because it didn't make me goofy-drousy, however, the speed in it would make my mind race at night. I finally ditched the allergy meds and re-evaluated my allergies. I dramatically cut back the foods to which I am allergic. I put dust mite covers on my mattress and pillows. I wash my sheets often. I have no carpet in my house. I have an air filter running in my bedroom 24-7. I try to avoid all cats, as cute and cuddly as they are. My allergies have practically not bothered me at all, unless I break any of these changes. It is amazing, because there have been times in my life when I would have rather died than to suffer any longer from my allergic reaction to things. I now have no very little problem with the windows being open, being outside in nature (except for Pollen Season), and I couldn't be a happier camper, regarding my control over my allergies. I don't miss the things that I have eliminated, because I love the absence of my allergic reactions better than those other things. I think if I had to take a Benedryl today, I might just pass out. I can't believe I used to think that it was my only salvation to free me from my allergy problems.

I'm glad that worked for you! We did all the pillow/mattress covers years ago too. We have air filters but do still have some carpet. I'd like to change that to hardwood flooring soon. We always run the A/C and rarely open the windows to keep the allergens outside. Dust is a big one and hard to keep up with. We'd love to have another dog but all the breeds we like are not allergy free. Our little poodle is 13 so we may not have too many more years left with her.
We do everything we can to stay healthy and we're still fighting sinus infections a few times a year. :angry:

XYZAL!
Nothing more than drug company marketing to make moolah at our expense. This product should be prescribed to you only if you have failed about 5 others prior to it. It works no better than Zyrtec, which is available as a generic OTC product. Xyzal is zyrtec. If your doc gives you an Rx for this, politely decline and ask why it is any better than generic zyrtec. I put the drug rep on the spot regarding this and about the best I could get was 'a 4% reduction in drowsiness'. Pathetic.

Thanks Skunky, good to know. When I was at the dr's office on Friday there were 3 drug reps waiting in line to see the dr. I've actually been seeing his nurse practitioner and like her a lot. I did get 2 samples of Nasacort that I love. I was taking Nasanex and was getting really annoyed with the scent.

 

[30A Skunkape]

As long as you are getting allergy remedies, be on the lookout for the 'latest and greatest' nasal steroid, Omnaris. Do not accept a prescription for Omnaris;it is an overpriced product that brings nothing new to the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

 

[Ocean Lover]

As long as you are getting allergy remedies, be on the lookout for the 'latest and greatest' nasal steroid, Omnaris. Do not accept a prescription for Omnaris;it is an overpriced product that brings nothing new to the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Is there a comparable OTC nasal steroid? I don't think so but I don't know for sure.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Is there a comparable OTC nasal steroid? I don't think so but I don't know for sure.

I don't think there is a steroid available OTC. There are prescribed generics available.