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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. It's common for people with hives urticaria or hay fever allergic rhinitis to wonder which over-the-counter antihistamine they should take: Claritin loratadine , Zyrtec cetirizine , or Allegra fexofenadine.
All of these antihistamines have been available OTC without a prescription for a number of years. But if you're thinking these antihistamines are the same, they're actually not. Depending on the allergic condition being treated, the age of the person, as well as other underlying issues such as pregnancy , the best choice of antihistamine might be different. When you've been exposed to a substance you're allergic to such as pet dander, dust mite, ragweed, or peanuts , your body produces histamine , which is a chemical messenger released by cells in the immune system to alert and activate other cells and proteins of the immune system.
Histamine causes the typical allergy symptoms of sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, and an itchy throat that you associate with exposure to whichever allergens you are sensitive to.
Antihistamines reduce the amount of histamine circulating in your system, thereby reducing symptoms. Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are all considered newer generation antihistamines.
First-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl diphenhydramine and Atarax hydroxyzine , can be helpful for allergies and hives as well, but their use is limited due to side effects such as fatigue and sedation sleepiness.
So while Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are all newer generation antihistamines that can treat hay fever or hives, there may be some advantages for each of these over the others. Claritin and Zyrtec have been shown to have a good safety profile in studies of pregnant animals, but there are no human studies available.
During pregnancy, they are preferred over Allegra, which has shown adverse fetal effects in animal studies. Allegra is considered to be safer for breastfeeding mothers compared to Zyrtec and Claritin. 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. Make sure to monitor how you feel too. Though rare, some patients are known to have allergies to antihistamines.
Healthline says people with asthma should avoid using Zyrtec. Be especially careful if you drink alcohol and want to use the medication for seasonal allergies or hives. Though not fatal, alcohol can worsen sleepiness in people who take Zyrtec and other antihistamines. If you take Zyrtec and your symptoms do not get better within 72 hours, or if the hives you develop last six weeks or longer, seek medical help.
Patients should also seek medical help if they are not sure why they have developed hives. Patients who use bronchodilators such as theophylline should confirm their doctors know this before taking Zyrtec.
Inform your doctor if:. You can keep eating the same things you normally would unless your doctor instructs you to change your diet while taking Zyrtec. Antihistamines work by fighting symptoms of hay fever and seasonal allergies. They combat histamines secreted by your body after an allergic reaction. This decreases the symptoms you may be feeling, such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
Zyrtec is meant to provide hour relief. The same is true for other antihistamines like Claritin. Other antihistamines work differently than Zyrtec. Make sure to follow the directions on the box. Zyrtec can be taken every day to mitigate allergy symptoms before they start, but it can also be taken once you confirm seasonal allergies. Antihistamines are known for causing drowsiness. As a result, do not take alcohol after an antihistamine, and avoid driving.
Common side effects of Zyrtec and other antihistamines include vomiting, headaches, dry mouth, fatigue, and headaches. Diarrhea and constipation can also occur. Using Zyrtec for Treating Hives and Allergies. May Verywell Health. January Mayo Clinic. April This histamine can then bind with receptors to trigger increased blood flow to the surrounding area, which can lead to symptoms such as swelling and increased secretions, resulting in a blocked or a runny nose, watery eyes and, most importantly, itchiness.
Antihistamines come in different forms, including tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops and syrups. There are many brands available on prescription from your GP or over the counter at your local pharmacy. Different antihistamines are better at treating different symptoms, so ask your GP or pharmacist to advise you on which antihistamine is best for your needs. Generally, antihistamines are classified into 2 main groups — sedating antihistamines and non-sedating antihistamines.
Sedating antihistamines can make you feel quite drowsy or sleepy. They are used when the effect of drowsiness is helpful to the condition being treated such as in some skin conditions where itch can cause sleep disturbance. Sedating antihistamines are often found in cough and cold medicines. These medicines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age. Read more about cough and cold medicines in children.
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