Sniffling, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, itchy eyes, hives and other hay fever symptoms can feel relentless and they are miserable to suffer through. These allergy symptoms are the result of an overactive immune system and they can even escalate into more severe complications like sinus infections, so it is important to keep your seasonal allergies under control when using Claritin vs. Allegra.
Allergy symptoms are experienced by over 50 million Americans yearly and despite that being about 15% of the population there is no known cure for reactions to allergens. The most common and effective remedy is preventative treatment through over-the-counter medication and it sounds fairly simple. All you need to do is head to the drug store and pick up a seasonal allergy medication, but once you arrive an overwhelming variety of antihistamines and decongestants will confront you.
The most recognizable and reliable brands you will see are Claritin and Allegra. The differences between these two can be hard to discern at first glance, so some background information is needed to make sure you chose the best brand of allergy relief for your health.
Claritin
There are five forms of Claritin as well as two forms of Claritin-D and they are all approved by the FDA . The difference between the two forms is all Claritin products are pseudoephedrine. All the products have the active ingredient loratadine as an antihistamine, but Claritin-D includes the addition of a second active ingredient known as pseudoephedrine. This second active ingredient acts as a nasal decongestant and is best for allergy sufferers who experience a stuffy nose and other forms of sinus congestion.
Benefits of Claritin:
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Non-drowsy Allergy Relief
As long as the dose taken is not over the recommended limit there should be no drowsiness associated with taking all forms of Claritin.
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Multiple Forms of Oral Ingestion
Tablet, Liqui-gel, Chewable Tablet, and Disintegrating tablet forms are available for easy ingestion regardless of one’s ability to chew or swallow pills.
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12 Hour & 24 Hour Options for Allergy Relief
The 24-hour option is best for individuals who have indoor and outdoor allergy-induced symptoms. The 12-hour option is available for individuals with brief allergy symptoms as well as individuals who may have difficulty sleeping on this medication.
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Between 3 and 9 Inactive Ingredients (depending on the form chosen)
Fewer inactive ingredients lower the chances an individual will have an allergic response to the medication itself.
Concerns with Claritin:
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Speed
While Allegra only takes about an hour to become effective, Claritin normally takes a bit longer so it is best if taken proactively during allergy seasons.
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Side Effects
Mild reactions include headache, dry mouth, sedation, nausea, gastritis, and the development of a rash.
More severe reactions include alopecia, anaphylaxis, a change in kidney function, and heart complications. These symptoms were considered rare during trials. -
Drug Interactions
Claritin has been found to interact with Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, and Cimetidine. All interactions were deemed clinically insignificant during testing, so consulting a pharmacist or doctor is recommended but not required.
Allegra
There are 3 forms of Allegra as well as 2 forms of Allegra-D. All Allegra products are FDA approved and use the active ingredient Fexofenadine as an antihistamine, but Alegra-D has the added active ingredient Pseudoephedrine. That is the same nasal decongestant used in Claritin, which means the biggest difference between the two products is their choice of antihistamine.
Benefits of Allegra:
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Non-drowsy Allergy Relief
Much like Claritin, there should be no drowsiness associated with taking all forms of Allegra as long as the recommended dose is used.
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12 Hour & 24 Hour Options for Allergy Relief
Dosages can be customized to the presence of allergies so users can easily prevent allergies for an entire day, all night, or both. This is important for users who’s ability to sleep at night is effected by Allegra.
Concerns with Alegra:
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No Chewable or Disolvable Option
Individuals who take Allegra must be capable of swallowing tablets or gelcaps whole.
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Between 10 and 14 Inactive Ingredients (depending on the form chosen)
There are more inactive ingredients in Allegra than Claritin. This means there are more possibilities for rare allergic reactions to Allegra its self.
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Side Effects
The most common mild reactions included headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
More severe reactions included heart complications. These symptoms were considered rare during trials. -
Drug Interactions
The active ingredient, Fexofenadine, does not transform in relation to the blood so it is considered highly unlikely to have any interaction with blood pressure medications.
It is recommended to avoid taking Allegra with aluminum or magnesium antacids or fruit juice (fruit juices can decrease Alegras absorption in the body).
Both Claritin and Allegra are valid forms of over-the-counter allergy relief. The major deciding factors are commonly preexisting conditions and current medications. If you have any of these complications your choice of allergy relief is best discussed with a pharmacist or a doctor. If these are not a concern for you, then it all comes down to whether you prefer to chew, dissolve, or swallow your allergy medication. If swallowing pills is difficult for you, start with Claritin and if you can swallow pills and dislike tasting medication both Claritin and Allegra are options for you. OTC solutions like Benadryl have common side effects for treating nasal congestion. Consult a healthcare professional before continuing use.