Hi, anyone or anyone's children taking this for allergies? My oldest is allergic to all tree pollen and grass, so she's pretty miserable right now. Clariton used to do the trick but it's not working anymore, the dr gave me a Rx for allegra but the pills are to big for her to swallow and so now we are try zyrtec. It's only been 2 days and I am not seeing any improvement. I know it takes a few days - does anyone have any experience with it? How long does it usually take to start working?

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 10:51 am:

DS has a prescription for Zyrtec but we've yet to fill it because Claritin is still doing the trick. I'm also interested in other people's experiences.

By Tunnia on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 11:15 am:

My dd has taken Zyrtec for allergies for two years now and it usually takes a good 24-48 hours for it to work well for her when she starts back on it or if we miss a dose or two. Sometimes when her allergies are particularly bad she uses Rhinocort nasal spray in addition to the Zyrtec.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 11:23 am:

I take Zyrtec at night. I used to use Claritin D, and the Zyrtec works great for me.

By Colette on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 12:56 pm:

Thanks! Great, then hopefull by tomorrow she'll look and sound a little less pathetic. Poor kid, when I was her age the dr told my mother to just keep me inside until spring was over.

By Amyl on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 01:57 pm:

My DD uses zyrtec along with flonase for her pollen/tree allergires. good luck I know it can be miserable.

By Lauram on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 05:31 pm:

DS takes Zyrtec for non-specified possible allergies. He gets really bad croup. He also takes Flovent as well. THe combo works really well. I personally suspect the Flovent is helping him more than the Zyrtec though.... I'm just not convinced he has allergies. I think he does have asthma though- and gets it whenever he gets a cold. Good luck!

By Debbie on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 06:58 pm:

Both my ds's and myself are on Zyrtec. It does take a few days to start working. My doctor also has me give my youngest ds(who has severe allergies) a double dose when his allergies are really acting up. Usually after 1 or 2 days, he is fine.

Good luck, I hope it starts working soon.

By Mariamali on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 01:52 am:

i have been having allergies since age 4. Been on everything from Zyrtec, Tavegyl, telfast, Periton, Chlorohistol and Claritin. Allergies usually take about 2 days to go away. However, if you donot see a change on day 3, consult your doctor. Zyrtec is generally a good antihistamine. Maybe ask for syrups - inow Tavegyl has one and its quite good for pollen and dust allergies.

By Babysitbarb on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 10:17 am:

I take Zyrtec-D which also has a decongestant. Im thinking it took a few days for it to kick in. Iv been on it for a couple years now. Iv been on allegra, claritan, and others and zyrtec seems to work the best for me. Both of my DD's take allegra-D and that works for both of them. we also are all on nose sprays and Im on asthma medicine(singular) and the youngest and I have the advair inhalers for our asthma and the youngest also has an emergency inhaler. Her asthma seems to be under control right now so she isn't on any meds for it.