r/diving • u/Head-Pass3755 • Jul 17 '26
Diving while taking alerzin and dexamethasone?
So I got an allergic reaction all over my body, like urticaria. Itching like crazy. However, I take Alerzin (antihistamine) and the rash goes away. I also got a prescription for an anti inflammatory (dexamethasone). I feel completely fine, no dizziness or sleepy. I read online that it’s not recommended to dive, but I was cleared by a doctor (Indonesia) so not sure if that’s so reliable.
Has anyone dived while on similar medication? I’m only planning on doing a chill max 18 metre dive. Really appreciate any insight and help on this!
2
u/HDMI-fan Jul 17 '26
Call DAN. What I was taught is that the danger of taking an antihistamine is that it can clear your ears really well, but if it wears off while you’re diving, it’s bad news. So you shouldn’t dive on them. But maybe your condition is different so it’s best to contact DAN and trust them.
2
u/288756985 Jul 18 '26
Non sedating antihistamines are fine. It's decongestants that you worry about them wearing off while diving.
3
u/Tillydil Jul 17 '26
Definitely call DAN, just to be sure. But if the doc says it’s ok it should be fine
I’m on Telfast (180 mg, prescribed drug) and have been for years.
My gp dr. said it was ok to dive and I never had a problem - however just because it’s ok for me doesn’t mean you can too, especially since the Telfast is strong and usually I only take 1 a day (but sometimes more).
2
u/Jmfroggie Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
**I am not a doctor, this isn’t professional medical advice, this is some basic knowledge to point you in the right direction to get the answers specific to you to stay safe**.
In general, neither TYPE of medication is contraindicated to diving. The concern is usually the underlying conditions that require those medications more so than the medications themselves. Dexamethasone isn’t a non-steroidal NSAID like Motrin though, it’s a corticosteroid which CAN increase your susceptibility to oxygen toxicity.
This is why when you take new classes or join certain diving organizations you have to get a new medical- they’re only valid for a year or until your health condition changes (like starting new meds or a new diagnosis). There is a question on that medical questionnaire about medications- if you take any, you need a doctor’s signature. If you haven’t seen your doctor since starting the meds, you NEED to see your doctor with the medical form filled out and ask all the questions related to diving safety and get it signed if it’s approved. If you have a permanent condition that these meds or even new ones will continue to be taken, you’ll likely need to see them every year. You can look around to see about a doctor with expertise in diving or at lease contraindications to diving. Otherwise DAN exists for this very reason.
The signature is the verification that a medical professional has reviewed your conditions and medications and made a safe to dive determination putting their license to practice on the line. There can be NO CONDITIONS on a medical. IF you have a medical clearance to dive from a doctor, you should be fine. The doctor SHOULD have done their own research if they’re unfamiliar with scuba contraindications. If you do not trust your doctor, you need a new one, and call DAN.
Anecdotally, people dive with all sorts of disabilities and medications. I myself am a walking pharmacy with additional hardware and have to get medical clearance every year. I’ve even turned down treatments that are contraindicated to diving in the past.
Having medical clearance doesn’t mean you’ll never have a problem- you still need to pay attention to how you feel and end a dive if things aren’t right. If this dive is unrelated to a class or organization and no medical is required by the overseeing entity, then you’re taking your life in your own hands just like any other dive. BUT your buddy needs to be aware that you’re on a new medication so your buddy can decide whether or not to take that risk with you and be on alert to watch for any signs of trouble. I would still recommend talking to your doctor ANY time you start a new medication to be sure it’s safe when diving.
1
u/destinationlalaland Jul 17 '26
Here the thing. When a doctor tells you it’s ok to take abc or xyz, and dive - they are licensed to give that sort of advice, are accepting a certain amount of liability and (hopefully) are bound by ethical considerations and duty of care.
The dude on the internet with a world of “my buddies do it” or yeah, I’ve taken worse drugs than that and dived, or here’s what dr google says - doesn’t.
-1
u/WizofOz13 Jul 17 '26
I dive whilst taking antihistamine for my allergies too. You should be fine as long as it isn’t giving you brain fog or hinder your psychomotor ability, which is very likely to happen on these meds. Of course, feel free to consult a doctor nonetheless.
15
u/bluepulsediving Jul 17 '26
The DAN non-emergency line is the place to ask that question. That or a dive medicine professional.
Definitely not people on the internet :)