Mcneil consumer group Zyrtec Allergy Medication Review

Mcneil consumer group Zyrtec Allergy Medication — 

I have been a life-long allergy sufferer, first diagnosed around the age of 4-5. My allergies include many common things that I am constantly exposed to, such as cats, dogs, pollen...and ask such, I've spent a good part of my life constantly congested, sniffling, sneezing, and unable to breathe through at least one of my nostrils at any given moment. The options I had available to me only took care of my allergies in one manner - they'd make me drowsy and help me sleep through my attacks...not very helpful during the day when I need to be alert and awake.

Claritin and Claritin-D both provided some relief for me without the drowsiness, but I was still prone to attacks when I would visit family with pets. When I was living in California, and pollen wasn't as big an issue (and many of my friends who have pets lived on the east coast). However, in planning a return move to the east coast, I knew that I was going to be exposed to allergens more frequently and needed a better solution. On a friend's advice, I tried Zyrtec.

Zyrtec (in combination with the use of a Neti-Pot) has helped me tremendously. It doesn't make me drowsy, and even after just the first day or two of doses, I felt the difference. Upon first arriving back on the East coast, I was staying in a house that had three cats - two of which are long hair. After several days of Zyrtec, I found myself rarely needing tissues, and in fact, was feeling well enough to brave patting the cats on occasion.

Since starting on the Zyrtec, I have not had issues with being unable to breathe through my nostrils, and have even been able to reduce the frequency with which I use the Neti-Pot (it's been about a month since my last use).

The only con that I would give this is the fact that it IS a medication. It can potentially interact with other meds you may be on, which may render it less effective, etc. Also, you have to take it daily/consistently to ensure that you keep it in your system for when you are exposed to allergens. Nothing different from any other allergy medication in this manner.

I highly recommend Zyrtec to other allergy sufferers who may not have found the right medicine to treat their allergies with yet.