Allergy medications encourage common cold?

[Rajni]

This is purely anecdotal, but I'm wondering, based on my
own experience over the past year, if taking allergy
medications can actually reduce one's resistance to colds.

Last year at this time I wasn't taking Claritin for allergies.
I was able to go quite a while without any allergy
medications. I didn't catch any colds during that time.

This year, I've been taking Claritin, and I caught a cold
(and this even in spite of taking Zicam (zinc lozenges) to
prevent/reduce the severity thereof, which works most of
the time).

My theory is that, in the process of subduing allergy
symptoms, allergy medications also suppress the natural
defense mechanisms that usually would prevent a cold
from occurring.

What do y'all think? Right now I'm taking Claritin-D to
keep the symptoms of a cold (which is on its way out)
at bay, especially since I'm going to work later on, but
then I'm thinking of stopping my allergy meds entirely
because I cannot stand having a cold (I get coughing-
fits that would make one think I had tuberculosis; it's
so annoying).


-

 

[A_Thinker]

This is purely anecdotal, but I'm wondering, based on my
own experience over the past year, if taking allergy
medications can actually reduce one's resistance to colds.

Last year at this time I wasn't taking Claritin for allergies.
I was able to go quite a while without any allergy
medications. I didn't catch any colds during that time.

This year, I've been taking Claritin, and I caught a cold
(and this even in spite of taking Zicam (zinc lozenges) to
prevent/reduce the severity thereof, which works most of
the time).

My theory is that, in the process of subduing allergy
symptoms, allergy medications also suppress the natural
defense mechanisms that usually would prevent a cold
from occurring.

What do y'all think? Right now I'm taking Claritin-D to
keep the symptoms of a cold (which is on its way out)
at bay, especially since I'm going to work later on, but
then I'm thinking of stopping my allergy meds entirely
because I cannot stand having a cold (I get coughing-
fits that would make one think I had tuberculosis; it's
so annoying).


-

I've had spring and fall allergies (hay fever) for 50 years now. I currently take clemastine fuarate as an antihistamine. Clemastine Fumarate is essentially the old DayHist/Tavist formulation. It handles my allergy symptoms well, and I just have to take one dose per day. I have not experienced any increased frequency in catching colds or flu in the time I have been taking this product. I experience no sleepiness/drowziness while taking this product and it does an excellent job of allaying my allergy symptoms.

Unfortunately, I am having a impossible time find this product in the US today, so I have been ordering the Canadian product Tavegil for the last (2) years.

I can get Tavegil through Planet Drugs Direct ...

https://www.planetdrugsdirect.com/drugs/tavist-allergy

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

This is purely anecdotal, but I'm wondering, based on my
own experience over the past year, if taking allergy
medications can actually reduce one's resistance to colds.

Yes.
It was proven over 50 years ago, and every year since then in people's experiences and training/education also.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

What do y'all think?

It is time, perhaps , to look up the history of peppermint, nutrition, and various vinegar products. Have FUN ! (if you find what helps)