Nice set up up

An antihistamine like Benedryl tablets? You never know when someone is going to show an allergic reaction to a bee sting... it tends to happen at the most inconvenient times.

Sue

I've been debating that. THe problem is that Benedryl drops me hard and fast- is there a non-drowsy antihistamine? One that works.

Claritin has always worked well for me, and became over-the-counter a few years ago. There are a few prescription antihistamines available as well, e.g. Allegra.

Claritin is behind the counter because it contains the EVIL psuedephedrin. No prescription, but you do have to ask for it. They even have the quick dissolving tabs that work real fast. (The first time I used one of the "Redi-tabs" it was like eating a snowflake. I wasn't sure it had even been there, so I took another. Same feeling but I resisted taking another. The last time I got a package of them they didn't dissolve nearly as fast.....probably a good thing.)

And therin lies the problem. Everything I've found is either a simple decongestant and stimulant (psuedoephidrine) or knocks me on my butt but would take care of a hystamine reaction and maybe buy 5-10 more minutes if someone just found out the hard way they are allergic to something. That latter is the effect I want, but not something that I can use as a sleeping pill on the principle that I want to be able to call for help.

Claritin is a brand name for the drug loratadine and comes in a 10 mg dosage. (Same as Alavert, I believe.) Claritin-D is loratadine (an antihistamine) mixed with pseudoephedrine (a decongestant).

Besides, that's not really what I meant when I said "over-the-counter". I was referring to that fact that Claritin and Claritin-D used to be prescription-only medications a few years ago.

I do like those RediTabs, though! Really easy and convenient to take, as long as you can pop the darn thing out of its blister pack.

Quick question. One of the reasons I carry Benadryl is in case of bee stings or another life threatening allergic reaction. Would Claritin work for the same purpose?

The main difference between Benadryl (diphenhydramine [in the USA]) and Claritin (loratadine) is that diphenydramine is both an antihistamine and a sedative. Loratadine, on the other hand, is non-drowsy (for most).

Note that in Europe, Benadryl apparently contains acrivastine or cetirizine (think Zyrtec) instead of diphenhydramine. I am not as familiar with these two alternate antihistamines as I have never taken them (so have not researched them).

As for using medications to prevent severe allergic reactions, i.e. anaphylactic shock, I'm wholly unsure of how effective antihistamines would be in this role. Runny noses and watery eyes are in a whole different ballpark than anaphylaxis. The best prevention is to avoid allergens that you are hypersensitive to in the first place. Other than that, knowing how to properly treat it is the next best thing.

I am in no way a doctor, so feel free to consult one for further details.

No "non-drowsy" antihistamines are suitable for the treatment of an allergic reaction. Diphenhydamine(Benadryl) may make you sleepy, but sleepy and breathing is better then unresponsive and not breathing.

I always carry benadryl in my kits. I have the luxury of injectables, but childrens chewable benadryl is just about as good, you just need to make sure that you take the appropriate amount (25 - 50mg PO). Benadryl is VERY effectve in the treatment of severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. When our we rewrote our treatment protocols recently we gave benadryl a much higher priority then in the past. I have been able to withhold epinephrine (a medciation I don't like giving patients with pulses unless it is absolutely necisary)on many patients because benadryl worked.

Benadryl doesn't cause drowsiness in me, but I do carry loratadine(claritin)for "seasonal allergies" in others. It works great for the itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing allergies. It just doesn't work on the major hives, difficulty swallowing, difficult breathing, swollen lips/airway... allergies.

I also like the versitlity of the drug; sleep aid (for many, not me ) antiemetic (anti-vomiting/nausea) and preventing motion sickness are all indictaions for benadryl. I like to call these three indications the long-car-trip-with-a-small-child indications.