Best allergy medicine for you kids?

[Valgal]

Input please... what allery meds have worked for you kids? My 9 year old is suffering big time the last week. He's used Rhinocort in previous years, but it just doesn't seem to be cutting it this spring. Benadryl DOES work, but I hate giving it to him during the day because it makes him tired and I know how that 'balloon head' feel is. Yuck. Not a good match for a busy boy.

I'm thinking about trying some Zyrtec. Has anyone had good results with it? Any other suggestions? TIA!

[DawnMarch]

A friend who's daughter has allergies recommended Zyrtec to us. Both my daughter and I take it and it has worked great!

[pbumbaca]

I've been giving my 9yo Children's Claritin and he seems to be much better. It's not cheap tho! 10 pills for $10!

[MelissaL88]

I use the generic Claritin that you can get at Costco. It's more cost effective and works just as well, IMHO. We give our 7 & 9 yo the adult claritin. Our pediatrician said there is no harm to the child and it's a lot cheaper than buying the children's formula. The pills are tiny, so it's not a problem for either one to swallow.

[pbumbaca]

Thanks Melissa! I don't have a costco membership but I'll check at Sam's club next time I'm there! Good to know about the adult version and the pill size but I know my DS won't have an issue with size, he swallows horse pills with no problems!

[~ashleigh]

target & walgreens both have affordable generic versions of Claritin. That's what I take, occasionally. But my youngest has had a terrible allergy season this year (her eyeBALL was swollen! ), and claritin wasn't cutting it. So we switched to Zertek, and it has made a big difference. Of course, there's no generic version of that, yet. But at least my girly isn't suffering!

Oh, and on the bad days, we gave her zertek in the am and benedryl at night (per the nurse, it is okay to do that).

[kscwgirl]

Benadryl. Of course, they're little, so I don't mind the sleeping. LOL

[aggiefamily]

Originally Posted by ~ashleigh

target & walgreens both have affordable generic versions of Claritin. That's what I take, occasionally. But my youngest has had a terrible allergy season this year (her eyeBALL was swollen! ), and claritin wasn't cutting it. So we switched to Zertek, and it has made a big difference. Of course, there's no generic version of that, yet. But at least my girly isn't suffering!

Oh, and on the bad days, we gave her zertek in the am and benedryl at night (per the nurse, it is okay to do that).

There is generic Zyrtec! That is what I use.

My pedi told me to use try the Claritin first for a couple weeks before trying the Zyrtec.

[~ashleigh]

Originally Posted by aggiefamily

There is generic Zyrtec! That is what I use.

My pedi told me to use try the Claritin first for a couple weeks before trying the Zyrtec.

YAY!! Where do you get it?

[BrattyMeg]

Originally Posted by ~ashleigh

YAY!! Where do you get it?

I've gotten generic Zyrtec at Kroger. I haven't checked anywhere else but i'm sure they will have it. My son and I both have terrible allergies. We both use Zyrtec, an eye drop, Flonase, etc it's bad hahaha

[OrianaVianey]

I used Zyrtec when I was a child and worked great (and taste good)
Right now I use Allegra D

My kid have this medicine called Alercet, but it makes him sleepy, so I usually give it to him just at night (when the alllergy is worst) and he can sleep well

[meems]

Originally Posted by pbumbaca

Thanks Melissa! I don't have a costco membership but I'll check at Sam's club next time I'm there! Good to know about the adult version and the pill size but I know my DS won't have an issue with size, he swallows horse pills with no problems!

I don't think you need to be a Costco member to use the pharmacy. but I imagine Sam's would have similar stuff.

[Stacey42]

DS2 has been put on Nasonex, prescription. It has been working fine, though it took some time for him to get used to the spray.

[Paula]

Sorry, I can't help ya. My DDs allergies are so bad, she's on prescription allergy meds and inhalers. LOL

[lizzyfizzy]

i can tell you from allergy/asthma situations my whole life and my middle ds's life that zyrtec can make you feel really weird inside and give you weird nightmares. it does work well, but i find that almost everyone i know that has used it has had some sort of side effect. with that said...claritin otc for kids works really well! good luck! =)

[Emmy]

My son and I both take zyrtec generic from Walgreens. It works really well for both of us.

[Susan Toon]

My daughter's dr suggested Zyrtec for her. She was on a form of Claritin but he said sometimes kids/adults can get immune to it's benefits. She has terrible allergies and still struggles here and there with the Zyrtec. I get it at Walmart.

[DawnMarch]

She was on a form of Claritin but he said sometimes kids/adults can get immune to it's benefits.

That was sure true for me! Claritin used to be a miracle drug for me, and then it just stopped working in the last couple years!

[Valgal]

Well, we started on the Zyrtec (am I even spelling that right?) last night. Didn't know how it would make him feel so I didn't want to give it to him right before school. He was ok but woke up MISERABLE again. My poor boy. I'll give it a week and if it's not working I'll try the Claritan again.

It was $7 for 5 pills! Geez. And each one is packaged individually and so tricky you nearly need a degree to open it. Grr.

[gyllenhaalic]

Originally Posted by ~ashleigh

target & walgreens both have affordable generic versions of Claritin. That's what I take, occasionally. But my youngest has had a terrible allergy season this year (her eyeBALL was swollen! ), and claritin wasn't cutting it. So we switched to Zertek, and it has made a big difference. Of course, there's no generic version of that, yet. But at least my girly isn't suffering!

Oh, and on the bad days, we gave her zertek in the am and benedryl at night (per the nurse, it is okay to do that).

Oh my gosh, Hayden, my 4 year old, had the same thing happen. We recently discovered that he's highly allergic to grass seed and wouldn't you know that Oregon is the grass capitol.

[mummytothree]

Wal Mart also carries the generic form of zrytec that's where we got ours!!