Popular Allergy Medicine Now Sold Over The Counter

Millions of adults and kids with allergies have taken the prescription drug Zyrtec.

Now it's available without a prescription.

The green boxes look good to Susan Gilstorf. Her toddler has taken the allergy drug Zyrtec by prescription. Now, she can buy it without a prescription, the same strength.

"It definitely makes it easier as far as not having to fight with the insurance to do it," Gilstorf said.

The good news, over the counter Zyrtec will cost less, even for many with prescription drug coverage. And cheaper generic versions of Zyrtec have been approved and should be on store shelves soon.

"This will be very affordable for people who have allergies and I think it's a great step forward," said Dr. Jay Portnoy, a doctor at Children's Mercy Hospital.

Dr. Portnoy is President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. He said Zyrtec is more effective than Claritan, its chief competitor.

The non-prescription Zyrtec is approved for children as young as two. Although Dr. Portnoy said it's safe in those as young as six months old. If you want to give it to a child under two, Dr. Portnoy said ask your doctor for instructions.

Zyrtec "D" is also available without a prescription now. But you have to get it from behind the pharmacy counter because it contains pseudoephedrine. It falls under the anti-meth laws.

Because the decongestant has risks , Zyrtec D is only for adults and children twelve-years-old and older.

"For kids younger than that, I would strongly recommend you not get the Zyrtec with the D, just get Zyrtec," Portnoy said.

Dr. Portnoy emphasized Zyrtec is an allergy medicine only and doesn't have the risks recently associated with children's cough and cold medicines.

Zyrtec does cause drowsiness in about eight percent of people who take it. That compares to four percent of those on Claritan.

Source:www.myfoxkc.com