Allegra

Miami1839 · #1 05-20-2001, 09:10 PM

I wanted to share something that I think you guys should all know. I dont think Allegra should ever hit over the counter and I'll tell you why. My Mom the last few weeks has been going through this phase that all Women get in their 50s. Well, last Thursday when I was getting ready for work I found her standing in the kitchen staring at her purse. Well, I got ready and came down to the kitchen and at 5:15am she asked me where she had to be to work(she teaches first grade), what time she had to be at work, and how long she had to take to get there. Well went over this for about an hour and I decided that it wasnt working and she wasnt making the connection. She didnt know what a phone was and she couldnt remember anything. So I decided to take her keys and I had my sister in law take her to the hospital. Unfortunately I had to work but when I got to the hospital I found out she got numerous tests. Thankfully she didnt have alzeimers or any kind of tumor. The second day though they found out what it was after an MRI. They found out that it was a chemical imbalance and that it was Allegra and a medicine that she takes for Depression. Which is what caused the chemical interaction. Apparently the substitute Doctor my mom had didnt take into account her full history. My mom also didnt have the same pharmacist for both medicines which was very bad. In the future we're making sure she gets it all from one pharmacy, but thats beside the point. The point is the Doctor screwed up and Allegra isnt just a plan old allergy/cold medicine that the general public should buy in the store. Thankfully my mom is feeling better and they said the chemical should be out of her body in a week or so. She was released yesterday.

Kevin

Steeltrap · #2 05-20-2001, 09:29 PM

FYI -- WellPoint Health Networks, which operates Blue Cross of California, is petitioning to have Allegra, Claritin and another allergy drug become over the counter.
I believe it's because they're trying to get out of paying for it.
And if a drug does have serious side effects as seen in Miami1839's mother, it should not be OTC. People don't necessarily pay attention to warning labels.

KillarneyRose · #3 05-20-2001, 09:57 PM

Kevin, thanks for sharing that with us. It's pretty scary that something like that could happen to your mom! I am glad to hear that she is doing better now.

------------------
~@~Tracy~@~
Proud to be a Delta-Z

[This message has been edited by KillarneyRose (edited May 20, 2001).]

Miami1839 · #4 05-20-2001, 10:29 PM

Tracy and SteelTrap. Thank You

It was a very scarey situation and to my Mom it was a nightmare. She still repeats herself some and has somewhat of a glazed look but its going to get better. Shes 10 times better than she was last Thursday. She told me she was so bad off when she was first admitted that she hit on the Doctor. The nurses there were wonderful and the hospital there is new. She got the best treatment and she had Marriot food there. However, one lady there did say something disturbing before she had her MRI like, "we're going to check to see if you have a tumor". My mom told me in her totally out of it state that was the one thing she remembered which I found troubling. However, overall she was in great hands there. The subsitute Doctor was at another clinic where she sees her normal doctor different from the hospital. So I told my Mom to lay it into her Doctor when she sees him again. Plus, my Dad has this Doctor whos an independant researcher whos looking into my Moms story about Allegra. Anyways, I wanted to say Thanks to you guys.

Greekchat Rocks

Kevin
Beta Theta Pi Alum
Epsilon Mu
George Mason '97

Steeltrap · #5 05-20-2001, 10:47 PM

Kevin, you're welcome.
I'm a business journalist who covers healthcare. I was just passing along info.

phimu269 · #6 05-21-2001, 06:35 AM

Kevin,
Hey I work at a Pharmacy and I'm about to start Pharmacy school and I totally agree with you that Allegra and other allergies medicines should NOT be OTC's. I've heard it too many times on what Allegra does to your system. My 15 year old sister is on it for her asthma and she has trouble sleeping at night and she is on the lowest dose. I would hate to see people take advantage of these drugs if they ever get passed, but just to let you know they probably never will. Hope your mom is still doing ok. Take care!
Katie

Hootie · #7 05-21-2001, 01:28 PM

Kevin -
I'm glad to hear your mother is doing well and that they finally pinpointed what it was that was making her forgetful. How scary.
Well, I'm happy to hear she's recovering. Have a good one,
Hootie

SH80 · #8 05-21-2001, 08:07 PM

Speaking of drugs, stay away from Ritalin, Adderall, and Effexor. It will f*** you up!

Miami1839 · #9 05-22-2001, 09:39 AM

Thanks Hootie and PhiMu

SH, Your right, those are pretty powerful drugs. I was just saying that certin allergy drugs should never go over the counter and of course hopefully they never will. It wasnt my Mom who screwed up, it was the Doctor. Anyways, Thanks everyone

Kevin