Piriton

[QueenOfCats]

I'm new to this forum but not the site - never posted in here before so apologies if this has been asked and answered!

I'm having quite bad hay fever symptoms at the moment - itchy runny eyes and itchy runny nose, sore throat and general itchiness all over my face.

I'm taking cetirizine - the generic brand of piriton, and I'm wondering if I can take 1 every 12 hours instead of 1 every 24 hours?

Or can anyone recommend anything that works better?

Thanks

[shelsco]

Cetirizine isn't the same as piriton is it? Think piriton is something else that starts with c allergy consultant advised me to use cetirizine instead of piriton as its apparently incredibly safe and if the first dose doesn't work it's ok to take the same dose again shortly after. I must quickly add that she was referring to the case of my ds who suffers from anaphylaxis and was not suggesting that I do this every day, just on the odd occasion I might need to. She did say that it was known to be very safe so I wold imagine that doing 12 hours apart on the odd occasion wouldn't matter, although please note I am not medically trained and wouldn't advise doing this on a regular basis!

[Ginformation]

Cetirizine is the generic name, one of the brand names is Piriteze. You cannot take more than 10mg in 24h (and most tablets are 10mg strength, sorry!).

You could try a different antihistamine (eg loratadine- which is Clarityn) and/or add in a nasal spray and eye drops. Speak to your pharmacist, they will be able to help! I feel your pain, mine is kicking in big style now the trees have decided it is spring.

[Ginformation]

I should add, you can't take more than 10mg in 24h unless advised by a consultant as in shelsco's case!

[ouryve]

Cetirizine is generic zirtec. Zirtec is supposedly non-drowsy, but it knocked me out to such an extent that one table would make me sleep for 24 hours!

If you want something that works with fewwer side effects, try loratidine. If you buy from somewhere like Chemist direct, it costs less than a ound a month. The only side effect I get from it is a slightly dry throat.

[ouryve]

fewer.

It's late (and I've had wine!)

[ouryve]

Piriton is chlorpheniramine, btw. Completely different drug from cetirizine.

[IamtheZombie]

Piriton is Chlorphenamine, not Cetrizine.

[QueenOfCats]

Ah, so I've got piriton and piriteze muddled

Thanks for the advice. I think I will try the loratidine and add in some eye drops as suggested. Any particular ones?

I can't use a nasal spray unfortunately, I've tried a few times before but they seem to give me an awful headache? Strange.

[Ginformation]

Eye drops: try sodium cromoglycate or nedocromil. A chat with the pharmacist might be a good idea.

Nasal spray: it could be your technique in using it, you don't need a massive snort, just a sniff. Steroid nasal sprays are the best. Your GP may be able to prescribe one called Avamys which is nicer to take.

[chocolatespiders]

If the loratidine works. I ordered 240 tablets from Pharmacy first for 5.99 and they arrived within a few days.

[ukey]

you can also use cetirizine (piriteze) AND chlorphenamine (piriton)
or loratadine along with chlorphenamine

so have a dose of cetirizine in AM and Piriton PM