Both cetirizine and loratadine are nonsedating antihistamines. Antihistamines have a reputation of making you sleepy because the first types crossed into your central nervous system more easily and had a direct effect on your alertness.
However, newer antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin are less likely to cause this side effect. Claritin is long acting. Most people experience at least 24 hours of relief after a single dose. Zyrtec, on the other hand, is fast acting. People who take it may feel relief in as little as one hour. It also releases a substance called histamine. This substance causes many of the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Antihistamines are designed to block the effects of the histamine that your body produces. In turn, they decrease the symptoms of the allergy.
Zyrtec and Claritin have very few side effects and are generally recognized as safe for most people. However, some side effects may still occur. Zyrtec can cause sleepiness, but only in some people. Take it for the first time when you will be at home for a few hours in case it makes you sleepy.
Claritin is less likely to cause sleepiness than Zyrtec when you take either at recommended doses. More serious side effects of these medications are rare. If you have one of the following side effects after taking either medication, seek emergency medical attention:.
Children may have any of the side effects that adults do, but they can also have completely different reactions to antihistamines. Children may become stimulated, restless, or sleepless. Claritin is active in the body for at least 24 hours. The typical daily dose of Claritin for adults and children who are 6 years and older is 10 mg per day. However, all three are deemed to be safe during lactation. All three antihistamines may cause side effects such as:.
That said, the side effect profile may vary slightly among them. 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. Many people use antihistamines to treat allergy symptoms.
Zyrtec and Claritin are two of the most popular brands, but which is best? Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, such as watering eyes , itchy skin, hives , and swelling. They may also help with dermatitis or even mosquito bites, but manufacturers usually market them for specific allergies. Zyrtec is a brand name for the drug cetirizine. Claritin is the brand name for loratidine.
Zyretc and Claritin are in the same class of medications. Both are second-generation antihistamines, and they generally work the same way in the body.
Neither is clearly better than the other. In this article, we provide detail about the differences between Zyrtec and Claritin. We also compare them to two other popular brands of antihistamines: Benadryl and Allegra. Zyrtec and Claritin are brand-name medications that people can buy over the counter.
They are available in various forms, including pills, chewable tablets, and syrups. Zyrtec contains cetirizine hydrochloride, also called cetirizine HCL, while Claritin contains loratadine. Zyrtec and Claritin are second-generation antihistamines. They are less likely to make a person feel drowsy or otherwise affect alertness than older, first-generation antihistamines. The labeling of Zyrtec says that a person should not take it when driving a vehicle or using machinery.
People should avoid taking Zyrtec with alcohol or other medicines that could cause drowsiness. Zyrtec and Claritin are effective for about 24 hours. A person should only take one dose per day. However, cetirizine, the active ingredient of Zyrtec, has been shown to produce more drowsiness than loratadine. In a randomized, clinical trial , those taking cetirizine for allergic rhinitis experienced more somnolence during the workday compared to loratadine.
The choice of anti-allergy medication to use ultimately depends on your specific condition and symptoms. Your doctor will be able to suggest the best medication for you after evaluating your symptoms. Zyrtec is available as a generic medication.
For this reason, it is not typically covered by Medicare or insurance plans. With a SingleCare coupon card, this price can be lowered substantially. Get the SingleCare prescription coupon cards. Claritin is taken as a once-daily antihistamine that can be purchased as a generic OTC drug. It is not usually covered by Medicare or insurance plans. Second-generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Claritin are less likely to cause sedating side effects; however, of the two, Zyrtec has been reported to cause a higher incidence of drowsiness.
Other adverse effects of Zyrtec include fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, constipation, cough, and nausea. Common side effects of Claritin include headache, fatigue, dry mouth, stomach pain, nervousness, diarrhea, skin rash, nose bleeds, and blurred vision. Other serious side effects may include abnormal heart rate, palpitations, severe faintness, or seizures. It is important to contact your healthcare provider and seek care immediately should you experience any of these serious side effects.
This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your doctor or healthcare provider to learn more. Most antihistamines, including Zyrtec and Claritin, are metabolized by the liver and excreted in the kidney. These drugs are broken down by the P cytochrome enzyme in the liver which is involved in the metabolism of a number of other drugs. For this reason, both Claritin and Zyrtec have a number of drug interactions. Zyrtec and Claritin should be avoided with another sedating antihistamine such as Benadryl diphenhydramine.
Taking these two medications together can increase CNS side effects like sedation and impairment in judgment, concentration, and memory.
You should also avoid using Zyrtec or Claritin with alcohol which can also increase drowsiness. Other sedating medications that Zyrtec is likely to interact with include benzodiazepines, some anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and certain antidepressants among other drugs.
This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Please consult your doctor before taking these medications. Antihistamines should not be taken if there is a history of an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the medication.
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