Claritin

Janet of Duncanville TX writes (11/14/01):
On July 11, 2001, I went to the doctor because I experienced partial deafness in one ear. She prescribed Claritin-D and after I took one pill, I became deathly ill. I had to lie on the floor because the bed was too high as I was unbelievably dizzy. I could not move or turn my head. When I did move my head at all, I had to vomit. I vomited voilently 5 or 6 times. I felt incredibly anxious as well. I was about to go to the hospital after about 3 hours of this suffering, when the symptoms becan to subside somewhat. I continued to feel extremely weak for about 3 days.

Ever since then, I have not recovered my usual health. I always feel below par and have had infections, headaches and nausea. I have severe neck pain most of the time and run fever sporadically. I can't help but trace all of these symptoms back to that day when I took the Claritin-D.

I have trouble working a full day now. I really believe that the medication injured me. I am not the same as before I took the medication. I would like to feel good again and feel depressed about my future. I hope this condition is not permanent and want to get over it soon.

Claritin-D is the well-known antihistamine with a dose of the decongestant pseudoephedrine added. Though very widely used, pseudoephedrine should not be taken by anyone who has high blood pressure; diabetes; heart disease; increased intraocular pressure (eye pressure); thyroid, liver, or kidney problems; enlarged prostate or by anyone who is pregnant. In addition, there are some contraindications for Claritin itself. Instead of sitting around hoping she feels better, Janet should go back to her physician, tell her what happened and get a complete workup to see if she has an underlying condition.

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