Hint:

You can get about a year's supply of generic Zyrtec at either
Costco or SAM's club. (for about $17.00)
example:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1
This is the one I use.

Claritin is useless IMO. There are studies out there that show it is equal to placebo!
And besides being useless, it raised my liver functions once!

This is pretty interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/11/ma...pagewanted=all

Zyrtec is a cousin of Atarax (hydroxyzine)...one of the most potent of all antihistamines.

I do believe a full 10mg dose of Zyrtec is not necessary most of the time...that is another story..but briefly ... drug companies choose doses, and they are not always accurate about that. It is estimated that the majority of drugs out there are OVERDOSED. The FDA has nothing to do with choice of dose as a rule.
Dr. Jay Cohen MD explains this in his book on Cholesterol.
http://www.medicationsense.com/statin_drugs_book.html
Since he is a teacher as well as a doctor, his explanations of things are fascinating!

Try 1/2 a tablet--you'll be surprised.

Also on the other hand I had an acute sore throat where I could not swallow back in Feb. Benadryl did nothing. But I took Zyrtec 10mg twice a day, and it was amazing as an acute intervention for a drastic problem!
For everyday use.... 1/2 tablet is plenty for me!

My husband has severe allergic rhinitis. He has always used ChlorTrimeton. This spring he was miserable, so I encouraged him to use my new generic Zyrtec--- he loves it ...take a whole one each night. Much less nose blowing, etc from him!