If I take a generic, one-a-day allergy medicine, how long will it be before it starts working? How long until peak effectiveness, and after how many hours will the effect wear off.
Best Answer: Depends on the medicine.The non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec don't work at all if you only take the occasional one. You have to take them every day, and you don't notice that they are working until you've taken them for 3 or 4 days. If you take them every day, they are always at peak effectiveness - the medicine is maintained at the appropriate level in your body. If you are a very big person, you might need to adjust your dosages accordingly - like taking 3 of them every 2 days (about every 18 hours).Benadryl starts work in about 30 minutes, and lasts 6-8 hours.Read the package - there's lots of good info there.Good luck!






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That depends on what your taking and how much. Generally, any medication taken orally takes about a half an hour to absorb, but everyone is different. Some OTC antihistamines, like benadryl, last about 4 to 6 hours. Others can last any where from 12 to 24 hours. Your question really has to many variables to give an accurate answer.
Depends on the medicine.
The non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec don’t work at all if you only take the occasional one. You have to take them every day, and you don’t notice that they are working until you’ve taken them for 3 or 4 days. If you take them every day, they are always at peak effectiveness – the medicine is maintained at the appropriate level in your body. If you are a very big person, you might need to adjust your dosages accordingly – like taking 3 of them every 2 days (about every 18 hours).
Benadryl starts work in about 30 minutes, and lasts 6-8 hours.
Read the package – there’s lots of good info there.
Good luck!
I take singulair in the morning around 7 am. it takes 30 to 45 minutes to take effect. I take zyrtec at 7 pm.
these are both 24 hours tablets. But they don’t last 24 hours. My doctor put me on both. I also take alavert 24 hour disolving tab. I take atleast 2 in 24 hours. I have yet to find an over the counter allergy or antihistamine that actually lasts 24 hours.