Compare Allegra vs. Zyrtec
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats allergy symptoms.
Allegra (fexofenadine) relieves allergy symptoms without making you feel drowsy.
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3.9/ 5 average rating with 24 reviewsforAllegra
Treats allergy symptoms.
Zyrtec (Cetirizine) is a once-daily allergy relief medication that won't make you feel too sleepy.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 1232 reviewsforZyrtec
Upsides
- Allegra (fexofenadine) is effective at reducing symptoms for seasonal allergies and chronic hives without significant drowsiness, unlike Benadryl.
- Approved for kids aged 6 months or older.
- Allegra (fexofenadine) comes in many forms, like tablet, liquid, and quick-dissolving tablet.
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine) works as well as other antihistamines to treat sneezing and runny nose, but causes less sedation.
- Works well to also treat hives and itchy skin.
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine) is available over the counter without a prescription.
- It comes as a tablet, liquid, and quick-dissolving tablet.
- It can provide quick relief of allergy symptoms for both kids and adults.
- It's okay to take with most other medications because it has few drug interactions.
- Most people don't get any side effects from Zyrtec (Cetirizine).
Downsides
- Allegra (fexofenadine)'s effectiveness can wear off over time.
- The dose needs to be adjusted for people with kidney problems.
- Although it works fast, its effectiveness wears off for some people over time.
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine) can be slightly more sedating than Allegra or Claritin.
- Some people find that other more sedating antihistamines, like Benadryl, are more effective for them than Zyrtec (Cetirizine).
- If you have daily allergy symptoms, a prescription nasal steroid spray might be better for you long-term.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Pill
- Liquid capsule
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
No pricing information available
No pricing information available
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Reviews
24 reviews so far
79%
saidit'sworth it
63%
saiditworked well
0%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Allegra (fexofenadine)?
Leave a review1232 reviews so far
76%
saidit'sworth it
47%
saiditworked well
7%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zyrtec (Cetirizine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
4possible side effects
- Dizziness2%
- Back Pain2%
- Stomach discomfort2%
- Pain in hands/feet2%
The Zyrtec (Cetirizine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Brain damage from too much phenylalanine
- History of phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Taking the wrong medication
- Increased side effects
- Age 65 or older
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Overdosage
- Current kidney disease
- Current liver disease