Which is best allegra or claritin

For instance, Allegra is completely non-sedating doesn't make people sleepy , while Claritin is minimally sedating makes only a small number of people sleepy. Zyrtec, on the other hand, causes sedation in approximately one in six people who take the medication. While you should consult your healthcare provider about the best way to take any medication, there are widely accepted dosing recommendations for all three of these antihistamines. First and foremost, each works best when taken daily rather than intermittently.

All of these antihistamines are indicated for adults and children 2 years of age and older, with Zyrtec and Claritin dosed once a day for all ages. Allegra is dosed twice a day for children age 2 to 11, and once a day for adults and children age 12 years and older. Finally, since Allegra can be used in children as young as 6 months of age, it's sometimes the ideal choice for young children. Besides dosing, there are some slight differences in how quickly or well the drugs work.

For example, while Claritin is effective for treating hay fever and hives, other antihistamines, such as Zyrtec and Allegra, work better and faster and last longer. Zyrtec and Allegra work quickly for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and hives, typically within less than an hour. On the other hand, studies show that Claritin takes many hours to start working. Studies show that Allegra is nearly as good as Zyrtec at treating hayfever. However, Zyrtec and its isomer Xyzal levocetirizine appear to be better medicines for the treatment of hives.

There are also some unexpected nuances associated with each of the antihistamines. For example, if you're taking Allegra, it's important to avoid drinking fruit juice for one to two hours before you take the medication and one to two hours after.

Juices such as orange juice or grapefruit juice can decrease the absorption of Allegra by nearly half. The best antihistamine choice for any one person is based on the degree of symptom relief desired and the degree of side effects you're willing to tolerate. For mild to moderate allergy symptoms, Allegra may be preferable to drugs such as Zyrtec since these other drugs are more sedating.

Yet for severe symptoms that are interfering with work, school, or play, a medication such as Zyrtec may be needed. Note that every person is different. This means that despite what studies say, there are many people who do not experience any fatigue on Zyrtec or Xyzal.

Likewise, there are people who do experience fatigue on Allegra. It's sometimes helpful to try different medications to see which works best for you as an individual. If you try this, though, talk with your healthcare provider first.

You might keep a journal to get an objective measure of which drug works best. For instance, you can write down your most annoying symptoms, and rank them from 1 to 10 based on how well they are controlled by different medications. Talk with an allergist about the possibility of allergy testing and allergy shots.

While allergy shots require more follow-up and more pokes they can sometimes cure allergies or at least significantly reduce their symptoms so that medications are no longer needed. In addition, it's thought that allergy shots may sometimes help prevent the development of new allergies. First-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier , which can produce a sedative effect.

However, not everyone feels sleepy when taking these. Among second-generation antihistamines, the most potent are Xzal levocetirizine and Allegra fexofenadine , which are available over the counter. In the end, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are all good antihistamine options and are generally well-tolerated.

But there are some differences between them, as outlined above, which may make one of these antihistamines better than the others depending on a person's needs and characteristics. Claritin can also be used as an add-on treatment with other medications to help control asthma , especially asthma that is triggered by allergies.

Claritin can also help treat a type of nonallergic rhinitis called eosinophilic nonallergic rhinitis. Nonallergic rhinitis has the same symptoms of allergic rhinitis except there may not be a known cause for it. Use the following table to compare the approved medical uses and off-label uses of Allegra and Claritin.

Allegra and Claritin are both effective at relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis compared to using no medication at all. However, Claritin has been shown to provide more overall symptom relief compared to Allegra. It has also been shown to provide overall relief faster than Allegra. According to a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial , Claritin was found to have a The trial compared both drugs in patients randomized to either therapy.

Results showed that the active ingredient in Claritin produced a greater level of relief earlier than that of Allegra. In another randomized study , participants with seasonal allergic rhinitis were given either Claritin, Allegra, or placebo.

Results found that Allegra produced better relief of eye symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes compared to Claritin. While both drugs relieved nasal symptoms, Allegra was also found to improve the overall quality of life compared to Claritin. Some reports say that Allegra has less sedative effects than Claritin and other antihistamines.

However, one post-marketing study found that there was no significant difference in the level of sedation between Claritin and Allegra.

Both drugs were found to be appropriate for workers with jobs that require some level of alertness for safety, such as flight crew. Allegra and Claritin are not generally covered by insurance. Both drugs are over-the-counter OTC medications that can be purchased without a prescription.

Get the SingleCare prescription discount card. Allegra and Claritin share some mild side effects such as headache, drowsiness, and fatigue. These side effects are common with other second-generation antihistamines like Zyrtec cetirizine. However, Allegra may produce less drowsiness than Claritin and other antihistamines. Other common side effects of Allegra include dizziness, nausea, stomach ache, and back pain.

Claritin may also cause dry mouth. Serious side effects are rare with Allegra and Claritin. However, allergic reactions to any of the ingredients in either drug are possible. Those with allergies to either drug may experience rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Seek medical attention immediately if this occurs. Allegra and Claritin can interact with certain antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Both medications can interact with erythromycin and ketoconazole. When taken together, this interaction can cause increased levels of Allegra or Claritin in the body, which may increase the risk of side effects.

Allegra and Claritin can also interact with some antacids. The sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and sinus pressure that come with seasonal allergies — all of these symptoms can become nearly unbearable.

Neti pots have been used for many years as a remedy for allergies and other conditions. Learn what the benefits are and how to practice nasal…. Researchers say allergic reactions to COVID vaccines are rare, and any such incidents can easily be treated at the vaccination site.

Learn more here. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist areas and can trigger allergic reactions. Mold allergies are generally not life threatening.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Allegra vs. Claritin: What's the Difference? Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm. Drug features Side effects Warnings Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Understanding allergies. The key features of each drug. Form Allegra Allergy Claritin Orally disintegrating tablet ages 6 years and older ages 6 and older Oral suspension ages 2 years and older — Oral tablet ages 12 years and older ages 6 years and older Oral capsule ages 12 years and older ages 6 years and older Chewable tablet — ages 2 years and older Oral solution — ages 2 years and older. Mild and serious side effects. Warnings to be aware of. Read this next.

Is It Allergies or a Cold? Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Pollen Allergies. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.