Hayfever Tablets Dosage Info Please

[Marijn]

My son would like to know if he can have a higher dosage than the recommended dosage of his Piriton. He feels that the dosage as it is, isn't strong enough. He thinks that as he is 12 stone he could safely have an extra half dose, as he presumes that the dosage is worked out to suit body mass. Is he right? Can you please advise.

[murraymints]

I take a prescription anti histamine...fexofenadine...was told I could not take more by pharmacy...best ask them !

[Sqad]

\\\\ He thinks that as he is 12 stone he could safely have an extra half dose, as he presumes that the dosage is worked out to suit body mass.\\\

What a sensible son you have.

The effects and side effects of drugs, may or may not be dose related, so my advice would be to let him take the increased dose.......and see what happens.

There are all sorts of methods of determining drug dose recommendations, many based on animal studies. Not being a pharmcologist i cannot comment on the studies with Piriton, but BMI is certainly used for some drug calculations.

Tell him to go ahead.

[furrypusscat]

I also take prescription drug and it does state not to take more than prescribed dosage. It is best to either ask your GP or chemist such as Boots or LLoyds as they will know best.

[Marijn]

Thanks all for your answers, much appreciated. He said later in the day he will have another half tablet. (They are one-a-day, and he has already had one this morning).

[furrypusscat]

He could try a nasal spray or smear vaseline around his nostrils, it helps stop pollen and irritants entering the nose.

[woofgang]

If piriton isn't helping, he might like to try a different tablet. I find cetirizine helps more than piriton and makes me less sleepy.

[Buenchico]

Many years ago, a teaching colleague of mine asked his doctor if he could be prescribed something stronger than Piriton as a single tablet at night wasn't enough to prevent him being kept awake by hay fever symptoms throughout the night. He also asked if there was something he could take with alcohol (which the Piriton packaging tells you to avoid). His doctor said "Just do as I do. Take a triple dose of the tablets and swill them down with a very large whiskey!" (That was the same doctor who told me that, however ill I might be, he wouldn't sign me off sick unless he'd already signed my death certificate because his son was in my O-level maths class and he wasn't going to have his education affected in any way)

[Buenchico]

PS: I'm actually amazed that any doctor/pharmacist is still prescribing/recommending Piriton. There are newer, better, non-drowsy anti-histamines available, such as Loratadine which, if bought under that generic name (rather than in a branded preparation) is also really cheap.

[Marijn]

Thanks very much for all your answers. I have some Loratadine that was prescribed for me ages ago. They expired March this year. Is it ok to give him those?

[Buenchico]

>>>The official answer must be 'No' but (as long as they've been stored somewhere reasonably cool, rather than, say, in the glovebox of your car) I'd have no hesitation taking them.

However Co-op pharmacies sell them for such a low price (probably around 3 or 4 quid for a whole month's supply) that you might just as well buy some new ones anyway.

[Marijn]

Thank you. Yes, they've been in my cloakroom cabinet.

[jd_1984]

Dosages are always calculated to be very much on the "safe side" and dont consider patient weight or other factors.
Loratadine, or generic non branded version, is better and more cost effective.
If you ask a chemist, he/she will play it safe and advice to continue with the dose on the packet

[Marijn]

Thank you