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Edited February 7, 2023
at 07:55 AM
by
Okay, I had to post this after picking this up at Costco the other day. First of all, Costco is a madhouse on Sundays - don't recommend going on Sundays. I knew there was a coupon for $7.50 off on Costco's Allegra generic, called
Aller-Fex [costco.com]. It's been posted on SD, before, and even went Front Page. That said, I found it striking how damn expensive even the GENERIC version of Allegra is at Costco... even after the coupon... Costco is selling a 180 count bottle for $28.49 *after* coupon. The Zyrtec generic I'm posting (and finally decided to buy) is only $11.89 after coupon for over twice as many pills -- 365.
Prior to purchasing Costco's generic Zyrtec called Aller-Tec vs the generic Allegara called Aller-Fex, I did a quick google on my phone. Turns out that Allegra and Zyrtec are pretty much dead even in effectiveness. The difference seems to be that Allegra is less likely to make you drowsy, but Allegra takes about 2 hours to work whereas Zyrtec is effective within one hour. Also, and here's the kicker... Zyrtec is effective *longer* than Allegra. So, you can get the Zyrtec generic at Costco (with free shipping) for a bit over 3 cents per pill ($.03258 per pill, to be exact), while the Allegra generic costs almost 16 cents per pill (and that's after a $7.50 coupon)!
https://www.drugs.com/medical-ans...e-3130012/
Features:
- Compare to Zyrtec® Active Ingredient
- Cetirizine HCL/Antihistamine 10 mg.
- Indoor/Outdoor Allergy Relief
- Non-Drowsy
- FSA Eligible Item
The active ingredient in Aller-Tec® is Cetirizine Hydrochloride, 10 mg, an antihistamine approved for the treatment of both indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. One dose of Aller-Tec® works for a full 24 hours.
Aller-Tec® is approved to temporarily relieve indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms in adults and children 6 years and over.
Compare to Zyrtec® active ingredient
All-Day allergy relief
Original prescription strength
For indoor and outdoor allergies
24-hour relief of: sneezing; runny nose; itchy, watery eyes; itchy throat or nose
https://www.costco.com/.product.11312465.html
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The moment I stop, allergies come back full force.
Loratadine has far fewer side effects, but isn't as effective. But heck I'd rather have some small allergy symptoms than be hooked on Zyrtec all my life.
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I got rid of most of my allergies by removing myself from situations that trigger me and watching what I eat.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is allergies have causes, the meds are just a bandaid for a lifestyle that needs changing.
Obviously talk to your doctor regarding long-term use. But I've spoke to multiple doctors and they have all said there is no real issues for taking these long term.
Some of it isn't lifestyle change such as literally just walking outside in spring living life, going to work etc can ruin people's day with pollen in the air.
Highly advise you grab another generic allergy pill bottle. I would not recommend.
I recently read that Allegra has been reported as causing the very types of reactions I have experienced from use without really understanding why or what specifically causes it (after all the years of assuring that there were zero side effects from Allegra/Fexofenodine). I stopped taking it at all (or any allergy meds) several months ago and I use distraction and psychological tricks and mindfulness to just ignore the itching and it usually just ends up going away, but hearing people say similar things about Zyrtec/Cetirizine has me wondering what is going on and if maybe it really is these "safe" meds.
Considering all the lying and, at best, incompetence, in our government agencies (I have diret personal experience from within them) over the last several years in particular, I am starting to wonder if either these drugs are not actually safe, or things are finding their way into them that are not safe or being caught or controlled for any number or reasons, whether intentional or not.
I have been off Allegra/Fexofenadine for a few months now and I almost broke down and took some yesterday, because I was wondering if it maybe isn't the pills at all and I should just take them since they provide relief; but after this thread I am getting the sense that maybe these allergy pills really really are like a street drug where the "sickness" is caused by the drug and you just have to struggle through the detox or allow your body to heal and get on level again. O_O
It's hard because allergies just drain the heck out of me to the point that during certain seasons I often have to take a nap because I am so mentally drained and exhausted, and I am not at the mid-day nap age.
I don't post much (essentially ever) but I thought this was important enough to hopefully give someone else some food for thought to consider what is going on, because I have been struggling with the "ants all over me" sensation. I do not believe it is normal or natural based on substantial evidence all pointing in the same heading.
Loratadine has far fewer side effects, but isn't as effective. But heck I'd rather have some small allergy symptoms than be hooked on Zyrtec all my life.
But what was described is a very real effect - if you google, you'll see many people describing the same effect. I had it, too. Some people who take Zyrtec long-term to control something like urticaria don't realize that the urticaria has actually gone away and the itching they are experiencing when they skip Zyrtec for a day or two is actually due to the effects of long-term Zyrtec.
If you suspect this: You can try weaning yourself off Zyrtec over an extended period - a couple of months. Cut the pills in half for 3-4 weeks, then cut them in quarters and take for 2-4 weeks, then if needed, try taking an 1/8 tablet a day for a few more weeks. See if your itching diminished.
If you need to alleviate symptoms, at the same time, you can try adding some other allergy med, but do some research to see which are safe to mix with Zyrtec (allegra/its generics are safe).
Of all the antihistamines, Zyrtec I think is the worst of the bunch. The odd sleepiness when you first take it is very annoying.
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Loratadine has far fewer side effects, but isn't as effective. But heck I'd rather have some small allergy symptoms than be hooked on Zyrtec all my life.
Also, as far as Aller-Fex vs Allegra. I actually bought both bottles on previous sales. I did notice that the Allegra packaging shows that Allegra, which is manufactured by Sanofi, of France, is actually made in Germany. The Aller-Fex, I noticed on my previous bottle was manufactured in the Czech Republic.
I won't get into the rabbit hole of COO when it comes to drugs, but if you've read the book Bottle of Lies [amazon.com] (which you can get in hardcover for $5 + $4 shipping, Used on Amazon) -- you'll know why a COO of Germany, Czech Republic and USA is preferable. That said, the brand name Allegra isn't as significantly more expensive as you'd expect. The regular Costco price for generic Aller-Fex is 20 cents per pill, while the brand name Allegra is about 35 cents per pill. I did notice, however, that when I looked for the COO on the Aller-Fex bottle, that it was no longer listed. It no longer listed Czech Republic as COO - so I'm not sure where it's being manufactured, today. Although to be fair, I can't find a COO on the bottle of Aller-Tec I bought at Costco, either.
One other quick useful piece of info -- expiration date on the bottle of Aller-Tec I purchased was June 2024.