Chlorpheniramine for Allergic Rhinitis User Reviews

• Han...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2019

Chlorpheniramine "I take diphenhydramine, cetirizine, and the 4-hour version of chlorpheniramine at bedtime every night of the year, whether I have symptoms or not, which is the only combination I have found that will keep me clear enough to live a normal routine without many allergy symptoms. I only take the 'Chlor Tabs' at 4-hour intervals during the day if I am still experiencing allergy symptoms, which include sneezing, coughing, ear discomfort, tinnitus, dizziness, and vomiting (from the dizziness). I can't live without this chlorpheniramine every 4 hours without vomiting from the nausea."

• Joo...
• December 7, 2014

Chlorpheniramine "Have used Chlor-Trimeton for many years, 4 mg twice a day, to control allergic reactions to pollen. After trying all other OTC antihistamines, Chlor-Trimeton does the job best, and it's a single-ingredient medicine (not a combination of unnecessary ingredients)."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 27, 2016

Chlorpheniramine "Have returned repeatedly to Chlor-Trimeton after taking Zyrtec or Claritin off and on. I get relief for hay fever symptoms without drowsiness, and the cost is lower. I feel sleepy on the other two meds, and the 24-hour dose is not consistent over that period of time. My hay fever is not a severe case, with a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing from mid-March to May, seemingly getting less with age. I'm 69. Have tried the 12-hour dose and find it works consistently for me, but I prefer the 4-hour tablet."

• Anonymous
• October 2, 2011

"Thank you, chlorpheniramine! After 4 years of daily suffering with the mysterious 'chronic phlegmitis' that no doctor or internet forum could answer, I found this by accident, and to date, it has been the only thing to positively affect and practically halt the terrible constant post-nasal drip. No other antihistamines, steroid sprays, mucolytics, or decongestants touched it. And it has the added bonus of potentiating my pain medicine for chronic pain. So I thought I was in heaven one day to find less pain and the post-nasal drip decreased."

• ehs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2017

"Chlorpheniramine is a very effective drug. I tried all the antihistamines and medicines like cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, etc. I spent a lot of money, but just chlorpheniramine worked for me, and chlorpheniramine is very cheap! A few minutes after taking this, I get complete relief, and my allergies have gone, especially eye allergy. Chlorpheniramine has 2 side effects for me: 1 - makes me very sleepy, 2 - need to take this every 4 hours, at least 4 times a day."

• Zop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2021

"I stumbled upon this at the pharmacy, and the pharmacist said it was similar to Benadryl. Figured nothing to lose trying it. Cheap bet. It is very effective for my recalcitrant vasomotor sinusitis - using in combination with generic cetirizine liquid for children at 7.5 mg. 10 mg cetirizine knocks me out, but it is the only OTC antihistamine that worked for me, until now. Instant relief of seasonal allergy-induced sinusitis. Zero sedation for me. Don't mind taking it regularly. So old an Rx, many younger doctors are not familiar, and no company making big dollars off old generic antihistamines, so it's not marketed. A diamond in the rough."

• BTM...
• February 13, 2012

Chlorpheniramine "I occasionally get severe sneezing attacks, cause unknown. They start as a feeling like something tickling my nose followed by a deep intake of breath and a powerful (mostly dry) sneeze. This then repeats about every 20 seconds for several minutes, when it stops, leaving me exhausted and with teary eyes and a runny nose. I found that swallowing a short-acting chlorpheniramine maleate tablet at the first sign, or in between sneezes, is effective at immediately stopping the attack, with no noticeable side effects. I have other chronic health conditions for which I take prescription medications; long-term use of antihistamines for me is not recommended."

• AZ ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 7, 2023

"I posted a review on this drug years ago, saying it really knocked me out and gave me heart palpitations. I now think I got a bad batch... I tried this again and it works far better than any 'modern' antihistamine... (In fact, they give me BAD side effects, you will find many similar stories on this site) It helps me sleep too... no palpitations. I usually only take 2mg because I am sensitive to all drugs/supplements. I wish there was a time-release version, but I guess I could take another 2mg when I get up at night..."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2008

Chlorpheniramine "While it makes me drowsy, gives me dry mouth, and can make my scalp tingle/itch, it is the only antihistamine that works for my severe hay fever. The 4-hour pills work most of the time, and when my symptoms are really bad, the 8- or 12-hour ones make my life normal."

• Rog...
• May 14, 2010

Chlorpheniramine "Although an off-label use, I find this drug to be an excellent sleep aid. It is relatively short-acting and may be appropriate for middle-of-the-night awakenings. It is very important, however, to get your doctor's clearance before such use. There are some drugs that interact with chlorpheniramine. It is especially important not to combine chlorpheniramine or any similar drug, including drugs for motion sickness, such as Dramamine or Meclizine. Patients with eye pressure issues (glaucoma) should also either avoid and/or discuss with a doctor before using it."

• JJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

Chlorpheniramine "I tried this (generic)... normal dose... and it really knocked me for a loop... I could barely get out of bed... alarming! Judging from the ratings, it must work great for others. I am very sensitive to all drugs, and Benadryl works great for me, so not sure why I had such a weird trip on this one."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2008

Chlorpheniramine "I have had severe hay fever since childhood, and this is one of the few antihistamines that work for all of my symptoms without making me overly drowsy. I'm just sad that they only sell 4-hour pills OTC now. I'll have to switch to something else."

• Kei...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 11, 2019

"Taken in the evening is best. This medicine is sedating, just like Benadryl, but not as sedating. Does not have near the sedating hangover the next day that Benadryl does. A better and effective antihistamine than most. I take the combo tablet that includes this med plus decongestant. This combo, along with Advil, helps with sinus headache, too."

• Dan...
• January 27, 2010

"I have used this medicine since grade school for allergy and hay fever (dust, mold, pollen, etc.) and find it is really big on effect, and its side effect, drowsiness, doesn't seem to bother me. This said, others that I have recommended it to say it's like a tranquilizer. For taming allergic conditions, this is great - second only to diphenhydramine in effectiveness for an OTC. Diphenhydramine, however, has a much stronger drowsiness side effect for me. The best news is that this is cheap! Around $4 for 100 4mg tab doses."

• ger...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2021

"These little yellow pills work for regular seasonal allergies better than any other. I take only if needed and seldom more than 1 in a 24-hour period. They have never made me sleepy, but I usually take at least 2 Anacins every day-headache. I gave my teenage granddaughter one, and they work better for her than prescription meds, but my daughter flipped out when she took one and it made her very sleepy. I have been ordered to never give her children, my precious grandchildren, anything."

• Nor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 26, 2022

"The most effective medication (also the cheapest) for my allergies/rhinitis. I have tried virtually all of the alternative allergy medications and found them to be inferior for one reason or another. The alternatives (Claritin, Zyrtec, etc.) have all caused drowsiness for me, despite the manufacturers' claims to the contrary. I do not experience drowsiness with chlorpheniramine. The only downside is it seems to have become harder to find in pharmacies these days, having been largely replaced with newer (less effective!) alternatives. If unavailable, I would choose Telfast 180/Fexofenadine as an alternative, as it is the only other antihistamine that doesn't make me feel drowsy/impaired, however, I find it to be less effective compared to chlorpheniramine."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2011

"I love this allergy medicine! It works like a charm, and it rarely makes me sleepy, unlike Benadryl. Once in a while it's not effective, but this doesn't happen often. I agree with previous reviewers-it's sometimes hard to find on the shelf."

• AZJ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2022

"I'm glad this works for so many... but for me... it gave me bad heart palpitations and overall malaise. I took this for both seasonal allergies and the potential to act as an antidepressant, which I could use. I took 4 mg an hour before bed, then another 4 mg when I woke up around 2-4 am. I did find it to cause drowsiness, which is not a bad thing."

• kat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 1, 2022

Chlorpheniramine "I have used this since I was 5 and first diagnosed with allergies. I am now 78 and still use it. I take 1 in PM, and in heavy allergy seasons, I take 1 in AM also. It is better than any other OTC."

• jon...
• April 11, 2009

Chlorpheniramine "This is one of two antihistamines that works for me. This is the one that does not make me sleepy."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2011

Chlorpheniramine "I give this to my German Shepherds for food and environmental allergies. It works better than most and doesn't make them sleepy like Benadryl. Highly recommended! I've used it myself for hay fever."

• chr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2024

Chlorpheniramine "I have used this product for 60 years. I take one every morning for allergies. I also use it for colds and flu. I rate the generic 10 stars. No noticeable side effects."

• ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2021

Chlorpheniramine "I took this once for a really bad allergy attack. I fell asleep for about 12 hours during which I had the most psychedelic experience of my life. Wasn't necessarily bad, but whoa, really trippy!"

• Hen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2021

"I absolutely hate when I am in periods of unstoppable sneezing. Chlorpheniramine is a good choice for allergic rhinitis/sneezing crises. And also gives you some good sleep."

• mik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 13, 2024

"Works well for upper respiratory allergic symptoms (seasonal allergy), but causes drowsiness. Drowsiness subsides with repeated use. 4-hour half-life so have to take it repeatedly."