what to take for dry itchy allergy eyes? does claritin make them drier?

[valene2009]

i read some posts on here about people trying claritin for allergies.. i have them so bad now from trees blooming and haven't even went outside yet... it just makes my eyes so dry and itchy but not watery.. would claritin further dry them out? i tried prednisol drops but it only helped for like 5 minutes.. any suggestions??? thanks!

[soycoffee]

It's good that you asked. As I've done some light research, Claritin -- the generic is loratidine -- is the best pill that doesn't put you to sleep. Next best is Chlor-trimeton (chlorpheniramine maleate). These are for daytime use. Every morning I take the Claritin. At night I use Flonase (fluticasone propionate). This comes as nose drops, that require a doctor's prescription, as the drops are a corticosteroid.

I use loratidine and fluticasone propionate year round; I add Chlortrimeton. I take one 4 mg tablet, wait and see if I need more. Others may like the longer acting version.

In any of these, please take them exactly as prescribed, or you will be in trouble. See your doctor /call him or her / for advice on your particular circumstances -- you will have to call/visit anyway to get fluticasone propionate, the nasal spray. Loratidine and chlorpheniramine maleate check out for pregnancy: both are Category B. Don't know about Flonase, but your prescribing physician or the pharmacy where you fill the prescription will know about safety factors. I added the pregnancy information because I recently had to check this out for a friend -- not because I think you are pregnant.

Best wishes for a sneeze-free allergy season,
Soycoffee

[jazzlover]

I can't tolerate anti-histamines because of the drying. I just got over a round of allergies and survived without them. I used Sovereign Silver nasal spray and XClear spray too. I avoid any steroids, such as Flonase due to candida/yeast.

[topping21]

Has anybody tried Pataday (which is prescription) or Zatidor (OTC) for allergy eyes.   I am not sure why I am scared to take these because my eyes are already dry but just want others feedback before I start taking them.  My allergies are kicking in already

[gmomjuju]

I take a prescription called Alrex.  It really helps.

Good Luck! Spring has sprung!
Judy