Otc Zyrtec 2 Thumbs Down! By TexasHeartland on - Updated Sep 18, 2011
I suffer from terrible allergy problems. This winter, my area has been plagued with high Mountain Cedar counts and my allergies went haywire. I tried over-the-counter allergy medications from Wal-Mart as well was Walgreens. But the side effects left me little desire to continue taking them. I had heard that Zyrtec was a great medication to take and would help almost all symptoms. So I went to Wal-Mart and was floored when they sold Zyrtec over the counter. Though $15 is a little steep for allergy medicine, I was willing to pay that price to help my terrible symptoms. Even though it was 10 MG, I thought it would help better than the 15 MG of the generic medicines. I took the recommended dosage, and waited for it to take effect. Not only did it not take effect at all (even within the 12 hours as posted on the package), it seemed to have made me feel any worse. Perhaps the prescription is better, but for those who do not have a family doctor, allergy sufferers are willing to help in any way to get rid of those darned allergies. OTC Zyrtec seemed to have failed the test.
About The Author:
Zyrtec OTC 10 mg Purchased at: Wal-Mart Price: $14.95
My husband took perscription Zyrtec for years as it was the only thing that kept his allergy in check. He had a special rare allergy that would cause welts when he encounted metal of any kind. After 5 years on Zyrtec, his allergy finally disappeard. No other allergy medicine would help him and keep him from itching all the time. I got hayfever one year and took some of his and it didn't do squat for me either. Maybe it is the specific allergen or maybe it is just us, but I felt the same way about it. Even the prescription didn't do anything for me. I just use plain old Benedryl now. Even though it makes me sleepy. Thanks for sharing - it confirmed my experience too.
THanks for sharing your experience, and you honesty.
sorry to hear about your experience with this medication, thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Both my son and I have taken Zrytec for years (first as a prescription and now over the counter). I have to say it works excellent for both of us. In fact I have been on several other prescription meds over the years for my allergies and Zyrtec seems to be the most help of them all for me. Just goes to show you that what does work for one person may not for another.
Wow, sounds like it was a real bummer fr you. I have never tried this and I appreciate the information so I will stay away from this one, thanks.
About the only allergy medication that helps me is Clariten.