Which Allergy Medications Exist And Which One Is Best For Me
As a reminder, generic products are comparable to brand name products and generics save you money.
Allergy medications can be broken down into first- and second-generation products. In general, second-generation products provide longer relief with fewer side effects compared to the first-generation options.
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First-generation oral antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton®, are known for having more side effects, but more rapid relief compared to second-generation products. Some of these potential side effects include drowsiness, constipation, difficulty urinating and dry mouth, which can lead to poor oral hygiene and cavities.
As we age, we become more susceptible to these side effects and can experience falls or confusion, which is a good reason to avoid use in older adults or limit to a short duration at the lowest effective dose.
Children may experience opposite side effects such as excitability, anxiety or insomnia.
Best Treatment To Manage Allergies Long Term
Immunotherapy is a great option for anyone who suffers from severe allergy symptoms, especially for those with year-round allergies. Immunotherapy works by exposing you to gradually increasing levels of an allergen to help your immune system slowly build a tolerance, relieving allergy symptoms and even preventing new allergies from developing.
Allergy shots are one form of immunotherapy that require frequent office visits to be administered by a doctor. Allergy drops are a revolutionary form of immunotherapy that can be taken under the tongue from home each day to relieve allergy symptoms long term. Both allergy shots and allergy drops can be prescribed by a doctor after specific allergies are determined by an allergy test. This is a long term approach to allergy relief and management, with most patients taking allergy shots or drops for a period of three to five years.
How Long Will It Take For My Allergy Medication To Work
When youre experiencing allergy symptoms, you want to feel better and fast. But because each product works differently and treats specific symptoms, its important that you select one that will help you the most.
If youre looking for fast congestion relief, oral decongestants can start working in 15 to 30 minutes and nasal sprays can start alleviating congestion right away.
Antihistamines usually start working within 1 to 2 hours, depending on the product youre taking. You can also find antihistamine nasal sprays, like Astelin , that work in as little as 15 minutes.
Nasal steroids, on the other hand, take the longest to provide a benefit sometimes a few weeks. Thats why theyre better for symptom prevention instead of treating symptoms as they happen.
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Side Effects Interactions And Price
Side effects are generally mild with second-generation antihistamines and include a headache and rarely dry mouth, and nausea. Both Allegra and Claritin appear free from adverse cardiovascular effects. Few major interactions have been reported with either Allegra or Claritin however, there is the possibility that side effects such as sedation, confusion, and mental alertness may be enhanced if Claritin is given with other drugs with this side effect.
Grapefruit juice appears to decrease the rate and extent of absorption of fexofenadine by about 30%. Loratadine has no reported interactions with grapefruit or grapefruit products. More studies are needed to determine if there are any interactions between second generation antihistamines and herbal products and other types of food. Always speak with your doctor of pharmacist before using any drugs in combination.
Cost is similar for 30 Allegra and 30 Claritin tablets and both are available as generics.
See also:Drugs.com Compare Tool – Allegra vs Claritin
Can I Take Allegra Or Claritin If I Am Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Allegra is classified as pregnancy category C, which means that you should use it only if the potential benefits of taking the medication outweigh the potential risks to your baby. Be sure to discuss your options with your OB/GYN.
Claritin is classified as pregnancy category B, which means that the medication is generally safe to use during pregnancy if it is clearly needed. Other medicines in category B include prenatal vitamins and acetaminophen .
Claritin passes into breast milk, and you should not take it while you are breastfeeding. Researchers do not know if Allegra passes into breast milk. Given the lack of information, you should not use Allegra if you are nursing. Antihistamines, in general, tend to dry up breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe options to treat allergy symptoms.
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Below Is A Comparison Of Two Allergy Medications
Flonase is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. This synthetic corticosteroid has an 18-fold higher affinity for the corticosteroid receptor compared with the reference standard for corticosteroid potency .
Claritin is an over-the-counter antihistamine medication that was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1993. It belongs to a family of drugs called histamine H1 antagonists and nasal decongestants.
Its structure resembles that of the tricyclic antidepressants and it is a derivative of azatadine.
It comes in two versions: Claritin and Claritin-D . Both versions come in OTC versions as well as by prescription.
It is used to relieve sneezing, stuffy, runny, or itchy nose and watery eyes caused by hay fever or other allergies .
Note you should use this medicine every day during the time when you usually have allergy symptoms.
And You Should Love Antihistamines
Antihistamine medications have some similarities in their chemical structure to histamines. Antihistamines work by attacking the same receptors on cells that histamines bind to. By occupying these sites, antihistamines block the effect of histamines that cause allergic symptoms. As a result, they treat allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy nose, runny nose, and itchy throat. Antihistamines can also help with itching associated with skin rashes like hives and eczema.
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Why You Should Hate Histamines
Every time you experience allergy symptoms, it is the result of histamines.
Histamines are the natural chemicals that your body releases in response to an allergen, causing swelling, mucus secretion, or any number of other symptoms youve come to expect from your allergies.
Histamines are released in the nose, eyes, skin, chest, and GI tract during allergic reactions. In the eyes, they can cause itching. In the nose, histamines can cause sneezing, itching, and watery mucus in the nose. In the lips, roof of the mouth, and back of the throat, histamines produce itching and/or swelling. In the skin, they can produce hives.
Fortunately, there is a medicine that counteracts the behavior of histamines. These medicines are appropriately named antihistamines.
Characteristics Of Cetirizine Hydrochloride
Cetirizine hydrochloride is found in some second-generation antihistamines, such as Zyrtec. Second-generation antihistamines are newer than first-generation medications and are associated with fewer nervous system effects. Cetirizine hydrochloride is effective in treating hay fever. Our allergists often recommend medications with this active ingredient when symptoms include itching.
Some individuals reported that medications with cetirizine hydrochloride work faster than those containing loratadine. Many people responded to medications with the ingredient, cetirizine hydrochloride, within an hour while responding to loratadine in 1-3 hours. However, a 2014 research study found that both ingredients were absorbed into the bloodstream within 12 hours of taking the medication. So how fast the medication works depends on the individual.
While cetirizine hydrochloride is effective in treating your allergy symptoms, there are some downsides to the ingredient. For example, medications containing cetirizine hydrochloride are more likely to cause drowsiness than ones with loratadine. Doctors dont recommend taking these medications before driving or operating machinery. It has also been indicated in a study of the treatment of allergic rhinitis, that more patients will experience dry mouth after taking medications with cetirizine hydrochloride.
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Does Allegra Raise Blood Pressure
Antihistamines like Allegra donât typically affect blood pressure. However, products like Allegra-D or Claritin-D may affect blood pressure. These products contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine which can raise blood pressure. Consult a doctor if you have high blood pressure and allergic rhinitis.
Allegra Found To Be Head And Noses Above The Rest
Dec. 13, 1999 — Allegra, the newest addition to a long list of drugs to treat those nasty effects of seasonal allergies, has received rave reviews from European researchers. So what puts this medication head and noses above the rest? According to the co-author of study, Martin Stern, BMBCh, FRCP, old sedating allergymedications are out of date and shouldn’t be used anymore. Instead, he tells WebMD, “Patients should demand a nonsedating antihistamine. I think is unparalleled at this stage of development.”
Researchers in the United Kingdom compared the safety and effectiveness of Allegra with Zyrtec , another popular allergy medication, and a placebo, or sugar pill. More than 700 patients aged 12-65 were included in the study. The findings were published in the November issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Researchers were particularly interested in learning how well the antihistamines controlled the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, watery, red eyes, and nasal congestion.
However, in the U.S., Allegra is only available in 60 mg capsules taken twice a day and not in the 120 mg or 180 mg once-daily capsules. WebMD spoke with one U.S. physician who said that when the 24-hour form of Allegra is available in this country, he intends to use the drug more often, particularly for patients who are noncompliant or tend to forget to take their medications.
Stern says, “I believe is better than any other antihistamine I’ve seen.”
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How Should Allegra Be Taken
Allegra is available in several strengths and forms as tablets in strengths of 30, 60 and 180 mg, as 30 mg fast orally disintegrating tablets and as an oral suspension of 30mg per 5 ml. The dosage is dependent on the age, weight and effectiveness of the drug special care should be taken when prescribing this drug to infants and children to make sure the recommended dosage is given.
Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Allegra it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Allegra passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Note that the Allegra ODT tablets contain 5.3 mg of phenylalanine and should not be used by individuals with phenylketonuria.
How Much Do Allegra And Claritin Cost
Allegra and Claritin are both available OTC without a prescription. As of the time this article, the average retail cost for 30 fexofenadine 180 mg tablets is about $15. The average retail cost for 30 loratadine 10 mg tablets is about $11.
If your insurance does not cover Allegra or Claritin because they are available OTC, you can use the ScriptSave WellRx discount card for the best prescription savings at a pharmacy near you.
Rosanna Sutherby is a freelance medical writer who has been a practicing pharmacist in her community for close to 20 years. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She utilizes her clinical training in the pharmacy, where she helps patients manage disease states such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and many others. Dr. Sutherby reviews and recommends drug regimens based on patients concurrent conditions and potential drug interactions.
References:
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What Are The Main Differences Between Zyrtec And Claritin
The active ingredient in is cetirizine hydrochloride. It is used to treat symptoms in adults and children over 6 years of age. It is usually taken as an oral tablet and can be used for allergies that last throughout the year or during certain seasons . Zyrtec has a quick onset of action with relief usually felt within 1 hour. However, this medication also has the potential to cause .
, on the other hand, is known by the generic name of loratadine. It is also used to treat allergy symptoms but has a much slower onset of action than Zyrtecaround 3 hours. It is less likely to cause sedation and can be taken for seasonal or perennial allergies. Claritin is suitable for adults and children older than 6 years of age. It is available as an oral tablet.
| Main differences between Zyrtec and Claritin |
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| Zyrtec |
What Causes Allergies In Dogs
We briefly touched on how certain allergens, like environmental or food allergens, can cause specific symptoms. Pet owners should understand that many factors can lead to dog allergies and that these factors may be trickier to pinpoint and therefore harder to prevent. Most allergen triggers fall into one of four categories: environmental, food, medication, or flea and tick.
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Effectiveness And Speed Of Relief
Besides dosing, there are some slight differences in how quickly or well the drugs work. 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 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.
Best For Treating Itching And Nasal Allergy Symptoms
Antihistamines work by targeting and blocking histamine, which is the chemical substance your body releases when exposed to an allergen, such as pollen or pet dander. Antihistamine treatments can take the form of pills, liquid, nasal spray, or eye drops. Once antihistamine medications are in your bloodstream, they can quickly reduce symptoms caused by allergens and prevent the release of histamines in the first place.
Taking antihistamines before or during exposure to an allergen can help limit and even prevent allergy symptoms. Antihistamine pills are most effective against itching, sneezing and runny nose, while nasal sprays are primarily designed to relieve congestion and pressure. Its important to note that certain antihistamine, especially older drugs, can cause drowsiness and dizziness, so you should be careful to avoid certain activities like driving after taking some antihistamines.
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Do Antihistamines Come With Side Effects
Side effects that are reported with antihistamines include dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, feeling nervous, excited or irritable, changes in vision such as blurry vision, and decreased appetite.
These symptoms are often not experienced with the second generation non-sedating antihistamines like loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine. Please see the Drug Facts for more detail.
Benadryl Vs Zyrtec Vs Claritin Vs Allegra And More
Beth Coopman, PharmD, Network Health PharmacistOriginally published on April 29, 2020, at 9:14 a.m. CST
Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner.
With the days getting longer and the weather warming up, well be spending more time outdoors, which means individuals who suffer from seasonal allergies will begin to experience the telltale teary eyes, congestion and sneezing. While these symptoms can be annoying, when allergies are left untreated or not well managed, it can lead to more serious problems such as asthma, sinus infections, severe fatigue, headaches and even gastrointestinal problems.
In this three-month series of articles, we will be tackling the topic of seasonal allergies, giving you tips and tricks to stay ahead of your allergy symptoms to keep you as healthy and comfortable as possible, so you can get the most out of your spring and summer seasons.
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Symptom Prevention As Allergy Treatment
Allergens can be anywhere and everywhere, so taking steps to control your environment and allergy triggers are key.
- Remove clothes and shower when you enter your house after spending time outdoors
- Dont hang your clothes outside to dry
- Ask a friend or family member to handle outside chores like mowing or weeding
- Use your air conditioning and equip your home with high-efficiency filters to reduce pollen
- Work around the weather
- Stay inside on dry and windy days
- Venture outside after it rains
- Avoid morning outings, when pollen counts are the highest
Allergen avoidance alone may not be enough to manage symptoms. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines can help with itching, runny nose and sneezing, but do not help with congestion.
For those who suffer from severe allergies, starting the medication a few days before allergen exposure can minimize initial symptoms. Individuals who suffer from less severe allergies can use medication as needed to reverse temporary symptoms for a short period of time.
Claritin Zyrtec Or Allegra: What’s The Difference
Have you ever headed out your door to enjoy the great outdoors only to find yourself sneezing constantly and experiencing a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, or hives? But when you head to your local pharmacy or grocery store to pick up an over-the-counter antihistamine to nix the nasty hay fever symptoms, you end up staring at the multitude of options in sheer befuddlement, wondering what the difference is?
You may have seen the tacky montage commercials for Claritin , Zyrtec , and Allegra , as they seem to be three of the most popular and widely available allergy medicines. According to Verywell Health, each of these options has been available to the public without the need for a prescription for many years. However, although they are all three antihistamines, they do have differences that are worth paying attention to.
“Depending on the allergic condition being treated, the age of the person, as well as other underlying issues , the best choice of antihistamine might be different,” Verywell Health says. Let’s get into more of the differences between these allergy medicines.
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