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) can help you with some allergy symptoms without making you very drowsy.
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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 to treat sneezing and runny nose, and causes less sedation compared to Benadryl.
- 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 relief of allergy symptoms for both kids and adults.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) has few drug interactions with other medicines.
- 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, Zyrtec (cetirizine)'s effectiveness wears off for some people over time.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) can make you a little more sleepy compared to Allegra or Claritin.
- Some people find that other more sedating antihistamines, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), are more effective for them than Zyrtec (cetirizine).
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Pill
- Chewable tablet
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$10.75
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$3.00
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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)
- Increased side effects in the elderly
- Age 65 or older
- Impaired alertness
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- History of liver or kidney conditions
- History of liver or kidney disease