Compare Allegra vs. Zyrtec D
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
Relieves congestion and allergy symptoms.
Zyrtec D (Cetirizine / Pseudoephedrine) relieves allergies and congestion without causing daytime sleepiness. It can keep you up at night if you take it too close to bedtime.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 927 reviewsforZyrtec D
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.
- The antihistamine (Cetirizine) in Zyrtec D (Cetirizine / Pseudoephedrine) causes less drowsiness than other medications like Benadryl.
- The decongestant (Pseudoephedrine) in Zyrtec D (Cetirizine / Pseudoephedrine) is stronger than other decongestants. It can also help relieve congestion-related headaches and ear pressure.
- The stimulant effects of Pseudoephedrine can give you some extra energy during the day.
- Doesn't give you rebound congestion (worse congestion symptoms after you stop taking the medicine) like decongestant nose sprays can.
- It's available without a prescription, unlike other strong allergy medicines.
Downsides
- Allegra (fexofenadine)'s effectiveness can wear off over time.
- The dose needs to be adjusted for people with kidney problems.
- You can have more side effects when using combination pills than when using single-ingredient medications.
- The antihistamine (Cetirizine) can cause more drowsiness than similar antihistamines, like Allegra D (which contains Fexofenadine) and Claritin D (which contains Loratadine).
- The decongestant (Pseudoephedrine) can make your heart race or give you anxious or restless feelings.
- You might not sleep as well due to Pseudoephedrine's effects and you can also have strange dreams while taking it.
- Pseudoephedrine can raise your blood pressure, so don't take it if you have high blood pressure or other heart conditions.
- Although you don't need a prescription, you do need to show a photo ID to buy this from behind the pharmacy counter.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$7.49
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$16.23
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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 review927 reviews so far
75%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
9%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zyrtec D (Cetirizine / Pseudoephedrine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
4possible side effects
- Dizziness2%
- Back Pain2%
- Stomach discomfort2%
- Pain in hands/feet2%
The Zyrtec D (Cetirizine / Pseudoephedrine) 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)
- High blood pressure
- History of high blood pressure
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Age 65 or older
- Seizure
- History of seizure
- Harm to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Taking the wrong medication
- Increased side effects
- Age 65 years or older
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Overdosage
- Current kidney disease
- Current liver disease