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[deleted] t1_iyrjd4z wrote

Reply to comment by UniqueLoginID in Does treatment with daily antihistamines have an effect on the severity of other allergies like food or medication allergies? by KingZarkon

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JackMasterOfAll t1_iyrs76d wrote

Those side effects are from 1st generation antihistamines because they cross the blood brain barrier. To my knowledge loratadine and cetirizine do not cause those since they are second generation and do not cross the BBB. That said there should still be some side effects but shouldn’t be that significant.

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supervisord t1_iyry3ql wrote

So Zyrtec, for example is cetirizine and can be taken daily without all of those nasty side-effects? Nice.

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hiv_mind t1_iys33w1 wrote

Sort of. It's a "lesser-sedating" antihistamine, compared with first generation. But it's one of the most sedating of its generation. Loratadine is better, and fexofenadine better still (ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1118461/).

With "lesser-sedating" antihistamines, it's just a less favourable concentration gradient to get it through the BBB - so higher doses absolutely can get central effect.

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[deleted] t1_iys0kp2 wrote

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Much_Elephant t1_iysgbbc wrote

> but I wouldn’t take long term anything (daily for many months to years) unless medically necessary.

Nobody is taking daily allergy medication when it's not medically necessary.

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JackMasterOfAll t1_iyshcf5 wrote

Contrary to your belief, many people take medications for things like ultra mild rhinitis when it’s not medically necessary.

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redskea t1_iys5ruh wrote

Zyrtec makes me really drowsy but Loratadine is fine. I’ve got lots of weird drug allergies and reactions though.

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AaronfromKY t1_iys9aye wrote

Xyzal puts me out super quick, so I can't even take it during the day. Definitely helps me get sleep most nights.

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Much_Elephant t1_iysgm6v wrote

Xyzal is just the better half of Zyrtec so that makes sense. Zyrtec contains both levo and dextroceterizine and dextroceterizine isn't useful. Xyzal is the levoceterizine portion alone.

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mr-rob0t t1_iysgxm7 wrote

These are some tall claims without a source cited. Can you provide a source?

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