Zyrtec Now Available Over The Counter

KCRA.com ^ | 1-24-08

[Dysart]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Starting Thursday, allergy sufferers can find the most-prescribed allergy medication available for over-the-counter sales.

Zyrtec is the brand name for cetirizine and is approved to relieve allergy-related sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and also, itching from hives.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it for sale without a prescription in November.

Dr. Rajan Merchant from Woodland Healthcare said it is the same formula as a doctor would prescribe.

"The efficacy is the same; the dosage is the same as the prescription strength. But the reason it is going over the counter is because we have enough safety data that confirms it is usable as an over-the-counter medication," Merchant said.

Merchant estimates Zyrtec will sell for between $20 and $25. That mean some consumers may be paying more now for the drug than they did when it was covered by insurance. But a generic product may soon be available.

[Ditter]

Was Costco’s Zyrtec made in China?

[DuncanWaring]

Bad.

Here's a pole-axe:

[toldyou]

“That depends on what you do with this chance, doesn’t it?”

Oh, I know what to do with it...

[null and void]

Do tell...

[toldyou]

“Do tell...”

Are we alone?

[null and void]

*looks left* *looks right*

I think so..

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Whoa, that looks really mean. I do not want to be pole axed. ;)

[toldyou]

“*looks left* *looks right* I think so..”

Just to be sure...I’ll stay here in case they double back...

[Mannaggia l'America]

Merchant estimates Zyrtec will sell for between $20 and $25. That mean some consumers may be paying more now for the drug than they did when it was covered by insurance.

Ha! I'd happily pay $20 or $25 for a month's supply. I'm paying $30 or $35 just for the co-pay with my insurance (Blue Cross).

The co-pay went through the roof when Claritin went OTC.

But Claritin doesn't work very well for me and Zyrtec works great. And my 10-year old takes Zyrtec too, to suppress asthma triggers.

[VOA]

bump

[Grizzled Bear]

Very well. Please wait for a moment. Your seat in the “no pole axing” section will be ready soon.

[DuncanWaring]

That’s why I quit taking Zyrtec. ;-)

[Grizzled Bear]

Hey! Get a room!

[toldyou]

“Hey! Get a room!”

I’ve been tryin’

Can ya help?

[Grizzled Bear]

I can tell you how to get to Carnegie Hall...

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Thanks Bear! How’s the new kitty? ;-)

[Grizzled Bear]

10 months old and huge! He’s gonna be a furry monster when he’s full grown. I’ll update my FR page soon.

[toldyou]

“I can tell you how to get to Carnegie Hall...”

From Montana?

You are good! Love ya!

[JustaDumbBlonde]

BTW, we skied Bridger Bowl and Big Sky over the holidays. I love Montana!

[Grizzled Bear]

All the way from Louisiana? That’s dedication!