Which is better: Allegra or Claritin? (Allegra vs Claritin)
Allegra vs Claritin: Both Claritin and Allegra are brand names for the medications Fexofenadine and Loratadine, respectively. Popular antihistamines fexofenadine and loratadine share many characteristics, however, they also differ significantly in some key ways. Before diving deep into the contents of Allegra or Claritin, let’s start with their introduction.
What is Allegra?
An antihistamine called Fexofenadine is used to treat allergy symptoms such as runny or watery noses, itchy eyes and noses, sneezing, hives, and itching. It functions by inhibiting a certain natural chemical (Histamine) that your body produces when experiencing an allergic reaction.
What does Allegra do?
Antihistamine Allegra lessens the effects of the body’s chemical histamine. Runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing are histamine-related symptoms.
Adults and children can both take Allegra to relieve the symptoms of hay fever.
Chronic idiopathic urticaria, which affects both adults and children, causes skin itchiness and hives.
Allegra is also used to treat this illness. How long does Allegra take to work: Usually it’s 1 hour after taking the medication.
Side Effects of Allegra:
There could be a cough, fever, or stomach ache. Inform your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects persist or get worse.
Keep in mind that if your doctor has prescribed this medicine, it is because he or she has determined that the benefits to you outweigh the risks of side effects. Many users of this medicine report no significant negative effects.
Rarely will this medication cause a very serious allergic reaction. However, if you experience any major adverse reaction symptoms, such as a rash, itching, or swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away.
What not to take with Allegra?
Allegra (Generic: Fexofenadine) shouldn’t be taken with fruit juice (such as apple, orange, or grapefruit). Your body may have a harder time absorbing fexofenadine if you consume these liquids.
- Avoid consuming an antacid within two hours of taking fexofenadine or just after. Your body may have a harder time absorbing this medication if you take certain antacids.
- Before using any cough or cold medications that might contain comparable substances, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Allegra Dosage for adults:
60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily for seasonal allergic rhinitis
60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily for chronic urticaria (hives).
What is Claritin?
An antihistamine called Claritin lessens the effects of the body’s histamine. Runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing are histamine-related symptoms.
Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, hay fever, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms are all treated with Claritin.
People who have persistent skin responses can also use Claritin to alleviate their skin hives and itching.
Claritin is used to treat allergy symptoms such as runny or stuffy noses, sneezing, watery eyes, and throat and eye itching. There is an over-the-counter (OTC) version of this medication.
Claritin Side Effects:
Typically, this medication has no negative effects. Immediately get in touch with your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any Claritin side-effects such as a rash, itching or swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away.
The list of potential negative effects is not exhaustive. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other side effects not covered above.
Claritin Dosage for adults:
10 mg once daily for seasonal allergic rhinitis
10 mg once daily for chronic urticaria (hives).
What does Claritin do?
This medication provides momentary relief for upper respiratory allergies or hay fever symptoms, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose as well as throat itching.
What not to take with Claritin?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Loratadine.
Inquire with a doctor or pharmacist if it is okay for you to use this medication if you have ever had:
- Illness of the liver or kidneys.
- If you have phenylketonuria, the disintegrating tablet can contain phenylalanine and be dangerous (PKU).
- If you are expecting or nursing a baby, consult a doctor before using this medication.
- Without first consulting a doctor, never administer this medication to a child under the age of two.
What is the difference between Claritin and Allegra?
If you suffer from allergies, an antihistamine medication like Allegra or Claritin may have been prescribed to you. When exposed to an allergen like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, these drugs function by preventing the effects of histamine. Sneezing, congestion, and watery or itchy eyes are just a few allergic reactions that histamine can bring on.
Both Claritin and Allegra function as second-generation antihistamines to assist in easing seasonal allergy and hive symptoms. In comparison to first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) or chlorpheniramine, second-generation antihistamines have less sedative and drowsy effects.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is an allergy-related inflammation of the nose’s lining, is treated with both Allegra and Claritin. Additionally, these medications can cure perennial allergic rhinitis, generally known as hay fever and a year-round condition.
Allegra or Claritin for hives: Both medicines can also be used to treat recurrent, chronic idiopathic urticaria, also known as hives, which last for at least six weeks.
Hymenoptera immunotherapy, a sort of desensitization therapy that uses bee or insect venom to lessen the severity of sting reactions, can be effectively pre-treated with Allegra.
Asthma, especially asthma brought on by allergies, can be controlled by using Claritin in addition to other drugs. Eosinophilic non-allergic rhinitis is a kind of non-allergic rhinitis that can be treated with Claritin. The symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are identical to those of allergic rhinitis, however, there may not be a known cause.
Allegra vs Claritin for kids:
These dosages, though, are authorized to treat patients of various ages. This distinction could be crucial when deciding how to treat your kids.
Read the product box carefully or consult your doctor or pharmacist for detailed dose instructions for either adults or children.
Oral Disintegrating Tablets:
For Allegra: Age 6 and old
For Claritin: Age 6 and old
Oral Capsules:
For Allegra: Age 12 and old
For Claritin: Age 6 and old
Is Allegra or Claritin better for allergies?
Compared to taking no medicine at all, Allegra and Claritin are both helpful in easing allergic rhinitis symptoms. Compared to Allegra, Claritin has been found to offer more overall symptom alleviation. It has also been demonstrated to provide general relief faster than Allegra.
Allegra reportedly has fewer sedative effects than Claritin and other antihistamines, according to some reports. The level of sedation between Claritin and Allegra, however, did not significantly differ, according to post-marketing research. Both medications were determined to be suitable for employees whose employment demands a certain level of attentiveness for safety, such as flight crew.
Allegra or Claritin for mould allergy: Antihistamine medications like Allegra or Claritin will reduce the signs and symptoms of mould allergies, eliminating the mould is the only way to keep allergies at bay for good.
Allegra and Claritin coverage and price comparison:
In general, insurance does not provide coverage for Allegra and Claritin. Both medicines can be acquired over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. Depending on your state’s Medicaid program, generic OTC medications might be covered if they are deemed medically necessary.
An average package of 30 tablets of Allegra costs $20 to buy. You can pay quite less for a package of 30 tablets if you have an Allegra OffshoreCheapMeds coupon.
The average retail price for a package of 10 tablets of Claritin is $12.99. You could pay less with a Claritin OffshoreCheapMeds coupon for the same amount of Claritin.
What works better: Allegra or Claritin?
Allegra, Claritin, and other second-generation antihistamines are all beneficial for both acute and chronic urticaria, albeit more trials have been done on patients with chronic urticaria.
No trial has yet conclusively shown that one antihistamine is superior to another.
According to one study, fexofenadine outperformed loratadine in terms of suppressing wheals and flares (allergic skin reactions), with a quicker onset of action and a more effective suppression of the flare at each study time point.
Which is Stronger: Allegra or Claritin?
Allegra may offer more symptom relief for eye symptoms, while studies suggest that Claritin is stronger and faster for allergic rhinitis (quick onset of action, more symptom alleviation).
According to studies, Allegra or Claritin can be responsive to itchy skin. But, Allegra may be superior to Claritin only in treating wheal and flare symptoms (an allergic skin reaction).
Do Allegra or Claritin cause irregular heartbeat?
Allegra and other antihistamines normally have little effect on blood pressure. Allegra or Claritin, however, may have an impact on blood pressure.
These items have ingredients that can increase blood pressure, such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.
Hence, they both could make your heart beat faster, raise your blood pressure, or affect how well your heart medicine works.
If you have allergic rhinitis and high blood pressure, seek a doctor’s help and guidance.
Which is the least likely to cause drowsiness: Allegra or Claritin?
Some mild side effects, like headache, sleepiness, and fatigue, are shared by both Allegra and Claritin.
Other second-generation antihistamines like Zyrtec have similar adverse effects (cetirizine). However, compared to Claritin and other antihistamines, Allegra may cause less sleepiness.
However, both medicines, Allegra or Claritin, do cause some amount of drowsiness and, hence, should not be used while doing any activity, which can lead to accidents.
Allegra has the lowest risk of sedation out of all antihistamines so is preferred if an antihistamine is needed for people working in safety-critical jobs.
Allegra Vs Claritin, While Breastfeeding:
Since only small amounts of antihistamines are secreted in breast milk and pose no risk to a nursing infant, all of them are regarded as safe to use during breastfeeding.
The most recommended antihistamine for nursing is Zyrtec (cetirizine), which is also safe for use with cold and allergy medications.
Other antihistamines are likewise regarded as safe, but there is less evidence for this. These include Xyzal, Allegra, and Claritin.
Hence, Allegra or Claritin are not suggestive during breastfeeding. Consult your physician before taking any medication.
FAQs:
How many Allegras can I take?
Take no more than two pills per day.
Is Claritin an antihistamine?
Yes, Claritin belongs to the antihistaminic class of drugs.
How often can you take Claritin?
Antihistamines like this one are used to treat allergy symptoms. You can take it for a long time if your symptoms are constant throughout the year. When necessary, it should be used daily if your symptoms are seasonal or you occasionally experience allergy symptoms.
Which is Faster: Allegra vs Claritin?
Allegra is faster than Claritin as working time of Allegra begins working almost 1 hour after the time of intake and Claritin takes almost 3 hours.
What happens if you take 2 Allegra in 24 hours?
If the time difference is almost 12 hours, then it is fairly okay, but do not take more than 2 tablets a day otherwise, you will start noticing the mild side effects.
How long after taking Allegra can I take Benadryl?
It is not recommended to take both. But, if you are taking it, you can keep a gap of at least an hour between the two medicines.
Which is better, Zyrtec or Allegra?
Common over-the-counter medications for treating allergy symptoms include Allegra and Zyrtec. Both medications are secure and efficient, however, research suggests that Zyrtec may have longer-lasting effects than Allegra. Drowsiness is more likely to result from Zyrtec. Fruit juice consumption can reduce Allegra’s effectiveness.
How long do Allegra side effects last?
Side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
How long after taking Allegra can I drink alcohol?
It is recommended to wait until the allergy medicine leaves your body. Usually, it is eliminated from the body about 2 days from the last dose.
What is the difference between Zyrtec and Claritin?
In comparison to Claritin, Zyrtec is proven to be more potent or stronger in laboratory experiments. It also gets to the skin in a larger concentration, which is better for allergies that affect the skin. The likelihood of feeling drowsiness when taking Zyrtec is higher, being a powerful medicine.
Does Claritin make you drowsy?
Yes.
Can you take Claritin and Benadryl?
The combination of Claritin and Benadryl is not advised. Combining them can raise the risk of negative outcomes because they have comparable side effects. Given that Claritin has a lengthy half-life, taking Benadryl 12 hours after Claritin might not be advisable.
Can you take Claritin while pregnant?
It’s okay to use Claritin if you’re pregnant or nursing. However, before taking any medication while expecting or breastfeeding, a person should always speak with a doctor. While most antihistamines are safe when used during pregnancy, other drugs, such as decongestants, may be harmful to the fetus.
What happens if I accidentally take 2 Claritin in 24 hours?
A healthy adult may not experience any effects at all if they mistakenly take a slightly larger antihistamine dose, such as two pills instead of one. A bigger overdose, particularly in youngsters or older persons, could, however, result in serious side effects. Feeling drowsy is the main side effect.
How long does Claritin take to work?
Most people experience the effects of Claritin 3 hours after taking it.
Can you take Claritin and Zyrtec together?
Antihistamines shouldn’t be taken at the same time because doing so increases the possibility of side effects.
Can I give my dog Claritin?
Yes, but for animals the doses differ. For example: take 0.2 milligrams of Claritin for every pound of body weight. This is merely advice; like with any medication, you should speak with your doctor and have them prescribe the right dosage for your particular dog.
Is Claritin a decongestant?
Yes, Claritin is also available as a decongestant. The medicine has a combination of antihistamine and decongestant which is used to treat allergies, nasal congestion, and sinus pressure. The medicine is called Claritin D (loratadine and pseudoephedrine). Both generic and over-the-counter forms of Claritin D are offered.
Does Claritin raise blood pressure?
Yes, antihistamines normally have little effect on blood pressure. Claritin, however, may cause an impact on blood pressure. These items have ingredients that can increase blood pressure, such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. If you have allergic rhinitis and high blood pressure, see a doctor.
Which is better Allegra vs Claritin for a rash?
Both medicines work for skin allergies but, studies suggest that Allegra is more effective than Claritin in skin rashes.