Feb 20, 2006 6:15 pm US/Central
Find Allergy Relief Without Breaking The Bank
New Study Finds Cheaper Options Very Effective
by Mary Ann Childers
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Is relief from seasonal allergies found in prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs? As CBS 2 Medical Editor Mary Ann Childers reports, less expensive allergy relief may be just as good.
Thirty-year-old Elise Covic isn't particularly thrilled when spring or fall come around.
"Ragweed season is absolutely miserable. I'm sneezing all the time. I sneeze myself into a frenzy so that I'm exhausted afterwards, my eyes are watering," she said.
In 2003, she participated in a study at the University of Chicago comparing the effects of two medications.
Singulair, an anti-inflammatory, is a prescription drug approved by the FDA to combat seasonal allergies.
Pseudophedrine, a decongestant, is available over-the-counter.
"Our thought was they'd be equivalent in their ability to stop the congestion," said Bob Naclerio, head and neck surgeon at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Naclerio and other researchers, however, thought Singulair would relieve other allergy symptoms better with fewer side effects.
"Surprisingly, pseudophedrine also had some effect on sneezing and runniness," he said.
There was also no reported increase in side effects such as nervousness or trouble sleeping.
Another big difference is cost. Singulair is about four times more expensive.
Over the years, Elise has used just about every drug on the market, but now she has a proven first choice.
"I will be taking the pseudophedrine. It worked the same, if not better and it's a much, much cheaper route to go," she said.
Older people, or those with high blood pressure, probably shouldn't use pseudophedrine because of the potential for side effects.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
