The Best Antihistamine You Can Buy
If you’re like most Americans, you have experienced the distinct horror show of dread and confusion that is the cold remedy aisle. Today’s options for dealing with cold and flu symptoms are practically limitless, encompassing dozens of brand names, countless promises and a veritable alphabet soup of active ingredients.
How do you decide? Most people spend far longer than they should comparing listed symptoms and inflated claims, then throw in factors like price, generic vs. corporate, nighttime vs. non-drowsy, and so on. Ironically the thing you most want to know is the thing nobody can tell you: which is the right choice for you, right now?
Consumer Reports has taken a crack at it. In a new study focusing only on one category– allergy medicine – the widely trusted team at CR evaluated some of the biggest names in the business, including Claritin, Benadryl and Dimetapp. Their findings:
Taking dosing convenience, cost, and effectiveness and safety into account, we have selected the following as Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs:
- Loratadine 10 mg tablets
- Loratadine dissolving 10 mg tablets
- Loratadine liquid 10 mg
- Alavert dissolving 10 mg tablets
Of course your mileage may vary, and there is no substitute for a doctor’s advice if you believe you have chronic sinusitis and require a more aggressive intervention. Even Consumer Reports adds this caveat: “Some people who take allergy medicines do not have allergies, so you should see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis before taking antihistamines on a regular basis.”
So if the above medications don’t work and you’re looking for a longer-lasting fix for seasonal rhinitis or allergies, please don’t hesitate to contact my sinus surgery center here.
Tags: allergies, cold remedies, consumer reports, otc medications, rhinitis, sinus surgery
