[Klaus]

Hi all,

Just had pretty big relapse back into some symptoms I thought I was mostly over (dizziness, headaches, processing difficulties). This was probably due to a jolt I got a few days ago, but it also coincided with me taking a hayfever tablet.

Is anyone aware of any adverse affects of Loratadine for PCS? The internet appears to think not, though headache is mentioned as a possible side-effect on one website. I'd like to be able to reduce the hayfever if possible, not least because my violent sneezing moves my head around more than I would ideally like! I've taken it twice now, and had particularly bad days PCS-wise both times.

All the best

[mrsD]

Claritin IMO is useless as an antihistamine.

If you have to have one that is non-sedating, I'd try Allegra first.

Claritin can raise liver enzymes too... and it did that to me.

Many of the studies on Claritin show it equal to placebo! Not a very effective antihistamine. I am amazed that it still has a market share!

Claritin has to be activated in the liver before it can become effective (cough cough) and this creates a delay in onset of 1 or more hours from when you take it. Allegra is active from the get go, but you cannot take it with fruit juices.

[Mark in Idaho]

I have used Chlor-Trimeton (Chlorpheniramine Maleate) for allergy symptoms. It does not cause any problems with me. I too am sensitive tot he sneeze attacks. Worse yet is I am a five at a time sneezer. One or two sneezes are never enough. My family will even count to 5 while they wait for me to stop sneezing.

This year has been my worst for hay fever allergies in the past decade.

[ConcussedJ]

I've taken loratadine for my seasonal allergies all my life with no side effects. Last fall, while still symptomatic and several months after my accident, I started my usual course of loratadine to get rid of my runny nose and noticed that it:

1. Eliminated all my dizziness after 2 days;
2. Induced gradual onset of tinnitus, which has persisted until today.

I was pretty happy about it being able to get rid of my dizziness, but stopped taking it immediately when I started having very occasional unilateral tinnitus. Unfortunately, the tinnitus became bilateral and persistent. Did the loratadine cause it? I don't know, but I've not taken it since.

But the loratadine was definitely responsible for alleviating my dizziness, because the dizziness returned after I stopped taking it.

[mrsD]

Loratidine is not lipophilic like the other first generation antihistamines. It does not get into the brain much to do anything there. That is why it is non-sedating. Lipophilic antihistamines are Benadryl, ChlorTrimeton, Dramamine, Atarax.

Your dizziness may be from fluid in your ears accumulating from allergies.

[freezerdoor]

claritin/loratidine works very well for me. Most people tell me it doesn't work for them. I have been allergy free since I've been taking it (for years.)