They also take effect at different times and stay effective for different durations. These factors could determine which of these two drugs is better for you. These drugs have different active ingredients. The active ingredient in Zyrtec is cetirizine. 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.
The typical daily dose of Claritin for children aged 2—5 years is 5 mg. Children this age using Zyrtec should be given 2. People with chronic medical conditions like kidney disease may need less frequent doses because the drug may take longer for them to process. Older adults and adults who have chronic illness should only take 5 mg of Zyrtec per day.
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. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
A review of antihistamines used during pregnancy. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. Safety of antihistamines during pregnancy and lactation. Can Fam Physician. Cleveland Clinic. July 13, Pharmacology of antihistamines. It is available as an oral tablet. Sign up for Claritin price alerts and find out when the price changes! Get price alerts. All antihistamines have been used in the treatment of allergies. OTC antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin can be used to treat allergic rhinitis swelling of the nasal lining , allergic conjunctivitis inflammation around the eyes , and hives urticaria.
Zyrtec and Claritin have been shown to be much more effective than placebo drugs to control symptoms of rhinitis such as sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. Both drugs can also treat itching and watery eyes. Zyrtec and Claritin may also be used to treat postnasal drip from allergies as well. The effect of these two drugs lasts for around 24 hours. Both medications can be used for seasonal or perennial allergies. These antihistamines have been shown to be less effective in non-allergic conditions.
They are not usually recommended to treat symptoms of the common cold or bacterial infections. Both drugs may be used off-label to treat asthma that is triggered by allergies. However, other drugs may be more useful in these cases. Clinical trials have shown that both Zyrtec and Claritin are more effective in relieving the symptoms of allergy compared to a placebo pill.
However, there are a few studies that compare the effectiveness between Claritin and Zyrtec. Zyrtec has a quicker onset of action compared to Claritin and may be more effective than Claritin in reducing allergy symptoms, according to one clinical trial.
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.
0コメント