I've been taking generic Zyrtec but it makes me so sleepy I've already had a nap today and it's just after 1 PM!!

I tried Claritan before but it didn't seem to help. Maybe I should try it again because that was several years ago.

I must be very sensitive to the active ingredient in Zyrtec (cetirizine) because other OTC allergy meds don't make me sleepy but they also don't work as well.

What do ya'll suggest as a good allergy med that won't knock me out?

I don't go out much and neither does kittycat, but
I have mild allergies that mostly effect my eyes and
nose (watery- itchy). I use Sinex nose spray vapor
daily and Visine orig. eye drops, every other day or so.

I hope this helps, Kelly.

I don't take Zyrtec anymore. It works great but I had trouble with it.

I some times take Claritin. Claritin doesn't work as well as Zyrtec and I think it's one of those meds you have to take daily for a little bit in order for it to work.

Mostly what I do is the Neti pot (using distilled water that I boil before using). It works well for me. I don't use it everyday unless my allergies are really bad, like today. I haven't used it yet though.

I have heard that Allegra works well too. I haven't tried it yet. My nephew takes it and it works great for him. He has terrible allergies and asthma and the Allegra seems to prevent asthma attacks for him.

Try taking 1/2 of one Zyrtec at bedtime... see if that works, and
carries over to the next day.

I use 25mg of Benadryl at night and it lasts all the next day too.
Helps you sleep as well.

Your only other OTC option is Allegra. This is available now
generic OTC. I think Claritin is useless.

In my last shipment from drugstore.com there was a sample of Allegra. I'm going to take one tonight and see if it helps and makes me less sleepy during the day than the Zyrtec did.

Thanks!

How did it go, Kelly?

Good....it doesn't make me sleepy like the Zyrtec did.

I'm glad it didn't make you as sleepy. Did it work as well as Zyrtec?

Seems to have worked pretty well. The true test will come when the Tulip Tree blooms in my backyard. And the Bradford Pear trees. They're all so pretty but they wreck havoc on my sinuses!

I take generic zyrtec at bedtime and something called pantanase (a nasal mist) in the morning. This combination helps me a lot. Pantanase is an RX and kind of pricey though.