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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » allergy medicine ?

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Topic: allergy medicine ?

Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801

posted

I take Claritin for allergies. Does anyone know if this medication can actually be harmful for those of us with Lyme? I didn't know if it contained any type of steroid in it or not.

Nancy

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Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!

-Chuck Swindoll

Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged |

minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175

posted

The active ingredient in Claritin is loratadine, which is an antihistamine. No steroids in Claritin.

Do be aware that loratadine MAY interact (with varying degrees of severity) with a number of antifungals and antibiotics, as follows below. It's a good idea to talk with your pharmacist or doctor about just how much effect loratadine might have on a particular drug, and what that means in terms of timing (taking it several hours separately) and usage.

*certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin)
*medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
*medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,397%7CLoratadine,00.html

As far as antihistamines being harmful for Lymies -- as far as I know (which isn't that far), they do not interfere with the immune system itself. Rather, they block the action of histamines that cause inflammation.

I've read recommendations by reputable LLMDs that antihistamines be used to reduce the effects of a herx, and sometimes (as for benedryl) for sleep.

But it's always best to double check with your doctor on whatever you're taking. For one thing, allergies can be significant in terms of LD sx. My and the hubby's allergies have almost completely disappeared now that we're over the worst of our LD/coinfections.

Best of luck.

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RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem!
(Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)

Posts: 2331 | From WA | Registered: Jan 2004 | IP: Logged |

Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801

posted

Thank you. I do take diflucan at time so this is good to know. Ill mention it tomorrow at my dr's appt.

Nancy

--------------------
Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!

-Chuck Swindoll

Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged |

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