Anti-histamines

[PaulRosedene]

I am trying different drugs as alternatives to montelukast (under medical supervision, of course). Has anyone benefitted from anti-histamines as part of a regime to control asthma ?

[twinkly29]

Yes as part of allergy or potential allergy triggers - worth a try if there are unknown triggers for you (which is very common).

[Hidden]

Yes, I’ve been taking loratadine daily for about ten years to control my allergies and it has helped me enormously. I also have antihistamine-steroid nasal spray combined. Different people find different ones more or less effective so possibly worth trying a few to see which works best. Under medical supervision, of course.

[twinkly29 in reply to Hidden]

Yes good point about the sprays and things - often they can be more effective than tablets so worth discussing!

[Lou2605 in reply to Hidden]

I also take a steroid nasal spray combined with levocetrizine twice daily. I think it help with my asthma .

[mylungshateme]

Hi yes I'm on the combination nasal spray, montelukast, Loratadine 10mg and piriton 12mg daily to help with asthma and allergies. But as said before different types and doses work for different people. It's a case of trial and error. 🙂

[PaulRosedene in reply to mylungshateme]

Thank you for your comments. I am trying different options to see what works. This includes loratadine and a nasal spray.

[Dogruff]

I’ve started taking fexofenadine again for the last 3 weeks and I’ve noticed an improvement. I’m glad I ignored the med review advice by the pharmacist who told me to not take it. (She also wanted to reduce my fostair and my omeprazole..... at the time I was caught in a loop of oral steroids and I’ve got a stomach like shredded wheat most of the time).

Took me a few weeks to work up the nerve to ignore her advice but I’m glad I did.

[Chip_y2kuk]

Yes quote by accident did they improve asthma symptoms

[Sausagesog]

I started taking chlorphenamine daily last summer and it’s really helped. My symptoms would be a headache/lethargy and tight chest. I usually can tell the antihistamine has helped within 30 mins, occasionally I add in piriton as well. The great side effect is a really good nights sleep , although luckily I don’t feel they make me drowsy during the day.

[Oldandgray]

I have fexofenadine 180mg but can take twice that if needed.

I have cough variant asthma with a lot of mucus. Recently I have taken to washing my pillows every four weeks on rotation. This has helped a lot to reduce coughing.

[achyknitter]

I now

[achyknitter]

I now have to take anti-histamines for asthma. Lasts year my asthma went from well controlled to bad and I found that anti-histamines helped a lot. I am putting this down to being in the same environment at home too much.

[Yellow75]

I take montelukast and anti histamine fexofandine . Does help, but last year still had a few allergy based asthma flare ups

[Sunnydays1982]

Yes definitely! I take fexofenadine x 3 a day and montelukast plus a nasal spray. All work well together 👍🏻

[juneflo53]

Hello. I've been on cetrizine 10mg for several years and beconase spray -as and when needed. This was prescribed for rhinitis. I was diagnosed with asthma in 2019 which came on after recurrent chest infections. I find these antihistamines help, and I do feel them working quite quickly. I was put on montelukast about a year ago so I'm taking antihistamines and montelukast as well as fostair and ventolin inhalers.

I haven't heard of antihistamines instead of montelukast. But I can say that I do get relief from antihistamines as these are taken in the morning (just once a day).

[LilsBaker2023]

Hi PaulRosedene, I have severe asthma as well as allergies. I'm allergic to Montelukast but on top of my Fostair 200mcg/6mcg inhaler I take Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 120mg and it makes my days a bit easier. I avoid parks and gardens like the plague just so I don't have an asthma attack. If I need to in an emergency (I.e if I'm having an non-serious allergic reaction to something) I take Piriton. I've now got an appointment with St Barts Hospital in London as I had 18 Asthma Attacks last year and my respiratory consultant can't change me onto another strong inhaler as I have allergies to some inhalers, asthma medications and medications in general.

I would start with loratadine and a nasal spray (both of which you can get over the counter without too much expense) and see how you go. If you find after 3-4 weeks that it's not helping you can speak to your GP about taking Fexofenadine Hydrochloride. They will start you on a low dose like mine and see how you go.

Best of luck

LilsBaker2020

[PaulRosedene in reply to LilsBaker2023]

Hi Lils, thank you for your comments. I have had a number of adverse reactions to Montelukast which is why I am keen to avoid. I hadn't considered different strengths of anti-histamines. So I appreciate those comments as well.

Good luck with the spring. I usually suffer as soon as the sun comes out !!