Differences between Claritin and Zyrtec

Claritin vs. Zyrtec

Claritin and Zyrtec are over-the-counter antihistamine medications used to treat allergy symptoms. Both are considered second-generation antihistamines, which are less likely to cause drowsiness than earlier, first-generation antihistamines. While both medications work by blocking the effects of histamine to relieve allergy symptoms, they have different active ingredients and can vary in their onset of action and potential side effects.

The active ingredient in Claritin is loratadine, and the active ingredient in Zyrtec is cetirizine. Both are effective for treating symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and itching of the nose or throat. Zyrtec is also indicated for the treatment of hives (urticaria).

One of the primary differences between the two is how quickly they begin to work. Zyrtec is generally faster-acting, with effects often felt within an hour. Claritin may take one to three hours to start working. Both medications are long-acting, providing 24-hour relief with a single dose.

While both are less sedating than older antihistamines, Zyrtec is more likely to cause drowsiness than Claritin. Other shared side effects are generally mild and can include headache, dry mouth, and fatigue.

Comparison Table

Category	Claritin	Zyrtec
Active Ingredient	Loratadine	Cetirizine
Drug Class	Second-generation antihistamine	Second-generation antihistamine
Primary Uses	Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms	Allergic rhinitis and hives (urticaria)
Onset of Action	1 to 3 hours	Within 1 hour
Drowsiness Potential	Less likely to cause drowsiness	More likely to cause drowsiness
Typical Adult Dosage	10 mg once daily	5 mg or 10 mg once daily

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Claritin and Zyrtec

Side Effects

Both Claritin and Zyrtec are generally well-tolerated. The most notable difference in side effects is the potential for drowsiness. Zyrtec is more likely to cause sleepiness than Claritin. Due to this, caution is advised when driving or operating machinery after taking Zyrtec until it is known how the medication affects you.

Common side effects for both medications can include:

• Headache
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain

It is recommended to avoid consuming alcohol or taking other sedating medications, such as muscle relaxers or sleeping pills, with either Claritin or Zyrtec as this can increase the risk of drowsiness.

Dosage and Administration

For adults and children 6 years and older, the typical dosage for Claritin is 10 mg taken once daily. The standard dosage for Zyrtec for the same age group is either 5 mg or 10 mg once daily, depending on the severity of symptoms. Lower dosages may be recommended for adults over 65 and for individuals with kidney or liver disease. Both medications are available in various forms, including tablets, chewable tablets, and syrup.