Why is Zyrtec now sold over the counter?

[Nocturnal]

Is it due to patent laws? Why exactly is this happening? I believe Claritin was once prescription only as well.

 

[Modeps]

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01742.html

 

[FoBoT]

http://answers.yahoo.com/quest...=20080129160030AAqr22g

http://www.aetnapharmacy.com/A...er-the-counter_drugs__

Q: How do prescription drugs become over-the-counter drugs?

A: A drug sponsor must submit information about the drug to the FDA. A sponsor is usually the drug maker or patent holder, though some consumer groups have petitioned the FDA to push for a prescription drug to become available over-the-counter.
Usually, drug makers want a prescription drug to become an over-the-counter drug when the patent is close to expiring. By the time a drug is about to lose its patent protection, the drug maker has often recouped its costs for researching and developing the drug. The drug company is now looking for a way to maintain the drug's financial strength in the marketplace. (When a patent expires, other drug makers can make competing versions of the drug and sell them. These are known as generics.) Making the drug available over-the-counter can give it a second life.

Occasionally, drug makers want their prescription drugs to become over-the-counter drugs far in advance of the patent expiration. This may happen when numerous prescription drugs are available to treat one ailment. Making one of the drugs available as an over-the-counter product can help some drug makers compete in a crowded market.

 

[Bryophyte]

I'm overjoyed that it's gone both OTC *and* generic. I have to take this every day (I really don't have a choice in the matter), so my costs are going to drop. :thumbsup:

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I'm overjoyed that it's gone both OTC *and* generic. I have to take this every day (I really don't have a choice in the matter), so my costs are going to drop. :thumbsup:

Zyrtec and Benadryl are the only allergy meds that seem to work well for my wife, but the Benadryl makes her very drowsy. Claritin does ok, but the Zyrtec is better for her. The Walgreens generic is about half price for us. :thumbsup:

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I'm overjoyed that it's gone both OTC *and* generic. I have to take this every day (I really don't have a choice in the matter), so my costs are going to drop. :thumbsup:

Zyrtec and Benadryl are the only allergy meds that seem to work well for my wife, but the Benadryl makes her very drowsy. Claritin does ok, but the Zyrtec is better for her. The Walgreens generic is about half price for us. :thumbsup:

CostCo is even cheaper.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I'm overjoyed that it's gone both OTC *and* generic. I have to take this every day (I really don't have a choice in the matter), so my costs are going to drop. :thumbsup:

Same here...great stuff!

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I'm overjoyed that it's gone both OTC *and* generic. I have to take this every day (I really don't have a choice in the matter), so my costs are going to drop. :thumbsup:

It's a double-edged sword IMO. If you have good health insurance, your co-pay for a prescription drug may be less than the price of an OTC drug on a per-dose basis. (Assuming that your doctor is willing to give you many Rx refills.)

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I'm overjoyed that it's gone both OTC *and* generic. I have to take this every day (I really don't have a choice in the matter), so my costs are going to drop. :thumbsup:

It's a double-edged sword IMO. If you have good health insurance, your co-pay for a prescription drug may be less than the price of an OTC drug on a per-dose basis. (Assuming that your doctor is willing to give you many Rx refills.)

If Zyrtec follows the same route Claritin took (and I don't know why it wouldn't), I should be able to get 300 tablets for just over 11 bucks at Costco one day soon. Awesome.

Edit: also, this change gives me a great amount of peace of mind. I've been taking it for 11 years now, and there are days that I have to take a second one when my hives are out of control. Anxiety about whether I'd run out of pills during those times is now gone. I can buy as many as I need with no worry about running out.

 

[Nocturnal]

Bryophyte, that's by prescription, right? I do recall talking to you about chronic urticaria.

 

[Pepsei]

and with flex spending, otc's cost even less....

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Bryophyte, that's by prescription, right? I do recall talking to you about chronic urticaria.

Yeah, but as soon as I run out of my prescription supply, I'll pick some up at Costco.

Is the Claritin still controlling yours? (Isn't that what you said you were taking?)

 

[tfinch2]

Zyrtec or Claritin do not work for me unless I get the decongestant version.