I was reading the previous responses of Drixoral users and they are saying that when they are not able to use it they get nausea and dizzyness. The same thing happens to me, but in addition I also break into a sweat and I feel prickly all over at first. Only the nausea and dizzyness persist long term. I have even needed to stay on the Drixoral when I was getting allergy shots (which are always customized for the patient). I was thinking that if I endure these symptoms long enough they will eventually lessen over time. I've tried a number of times to "detox" but I've been unsuccessful because I am sick for so long. Am I addicted to Drixoral and if so, how can I get it out of my system so that I can move on to another drug?
Q: Is Drixoral addictive?
Answers (2)
8/ 1/08 12:58am
Hi Dee Dee,
Drixoral is not the safest or most effective medicine for allergies. A better choice for you might be one of the second generation antihistamines, such as Claritin, Clarinex, Allegra and Zyrtec. Both Claritin and Zyrtec are now available over the counter and need to be taken only once a day, with very mild or no side effects.
The symptoms you describe as withdrawal are listed as typical side effects for Drixoral. What's interesting is that upon doing internet research on addiction to Drixoral, I find very little scientific information along those lines, but tons of anecdotal (personal stories) evidence.
At any rate, with the symptoms you're having, I would advise you to work with a doctor to gradually cut down on the dose over time until you can taper off it completely. And ask for an alternative allergy medicine. I don't think Drixoral is doing you any favors.
To your health,
Kathi
5/24/10 7:11pm
Jane... When I said that "Drixoral is not the safest or most effective medicine for allergies," I was referring to the fact that it is a first generation antihistamine combined with a decongestant. As a group, such drugs are NOT considered as safe and effective as the second generation antihistamines or 2nd generation antihistamine/decongestant combos. This is because:
- 1st generation antihistamines tend to have many more side effects than the second generation group, including drowsiness
- Decongestants, while effective at clearing nasal congestion, can also cause sleeplessness, and are generally not to be used over the long term
Experts do consider such drugs as Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra (as well as similar formulations available as nasal sprays) to be safer overall than their first generation counterparts. Singulair is another newer medicine that is often used these days to treat both allergies and asthma. Although most people can take Singulair without problems, some people have experienced depression and anxiety as a result of taking it, so again, it's not considered as safe as the first 3 I mentioned above.
There is much evidence in the literature for everything I have stated here. My conclusions were based on treatment standards in the field of allergies, not as you say on a vague and unfounded conclusion. What I said I couldn't find evidence of was that Drixoral is addicting (which is what the original questioner asked about), not whether it has side effects. The side effects are well documented.
But there's a lot of variety in how well each drug works for an individual, and for individual preference, so I'm not surprised to hear you had such a good experience with Drixoral. You're certainly not alone.
As to how the marketing and availability was handled by the pharmaceutical company that produced Drixoral, I can't speak specifically. However, I know that a number of decongestant formulations have been pulled (or made more difficult to obtain) partly because they were being used in the production of the street drug, meth.
Many drugs come and go over the course of time, as new and better technology is invented. It's always a difficult adjustment for those who find the original drugs to be perfectly effective when they are forced to change. But it seems to be the way of the world.
Best,
Kathi
8/11/08 11:42am
Drixoral perks me up like a/c on a muggy day... My with drawals are: The sinus's leaki into my stomach & I get a stomac ache..Sudophedrin isn't strong enough, but is a good replacement..(The 24 hour one) Antihistamein.
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"Hi Dee Dee, Drixoral is not the safest or most effective medicine for allergies."
A real expert would not make a statement like that without any evidence. How exactly is Drixoral not as safe or effective as any other medication?
Instead of taking as gospel the opinions and anecdotes of a bunch of anonymous people on the internet, and scaring people with what you admit is a vague and unfounded conclusion, you should evaluate the medicine on its own merits. I used Drixoral for 10 years before it was pulled off the shelves, and although anything that works as well and lasts as long as it did, I didn't experience any kind of shakes or sweats, or withdrawal symptoms. I found Drixoral extremely safe and more effective than anything I've ever tried, and I've tried plenty, including Zyrtec and Claritin.
I'll never buy Drixoral again though, even if it does return to the market. The handling of this whole situation has been completely shabby, and offended me as a customer.