Originally Posted by The_Convert
Ya I was wondering about taking an OTC to just curb the allergie reception, rather than trying to curb the asthma specifically. Maybe I should check at the pharmacy to see if there is anything else out there. I also think it may go down with exposure, but for me a cat 3 cross race is a friggen painful way to get used to my allergies, not to mention the $20.
Claritin (Loratidine as a generic?) is pretty good as an all-round antihistamine, which will help to some extent with asthma. But avoid the OTC asthma inhalers (Primatene mist, etc) like the plague. They are less effective in relieving asthma than the prescription alternatives (albuterol, etc) and the side effects (heart palpatations) are much worse. If you've got health insurance you're much better off getting a prescription for an asthma inhaler.