Compare Claritin-D vs. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold And Flu

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Treats allergies and clears up nasal congestion.

Claritin-D (loratadine / pseudoephedrine) relieves allergies and congestion without causing daytime sleepiness but it can keep you up at night.

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3.6/ 5 average rating with 1527 reviewsforClaritin-D
Relieves cold and flu symptoms, and helps you sleep.

Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Doxylamine / Dextromethorphan / Phenylephrine) is good for multiple cold symptoms at night, but it's more medicine than you need if you only have one symptom.

Upsides
  • This once-daily, single-pill combination conveniently treats congestion and other allergy symptoms.
  • It doesn't cause any daytime drowsiness unlike other antihistamines.
  • It doesn't require a prescription from your doctor.
  • Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Doxylamine / Dextromethorphan / Phenylephrine) is a combination medicine that relieves multiple cold symptoms. It's good to use if you have a stuffy nose, a cough, fever, and pain.
  • The decongestant (phenylephrine) has fewer side effects than other decongestants like pseudoephedrine. It doesn't raise your blood pressure and heart rate as much, or cause as much trouble falling asleep.
  • The cough suppressant (dextromethorphan) works well and has very few side effects.
  • The pain reliever (acetaminophen) is easier on your stomach and has fewer drug interactions than other pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • The antihistamine (doxylamine) can help you sleep.
Downsides
  • The decongestant (pseudoephedrine) can make you anxious or your heart race. You may not sleep as well at night.
  • Although you don't need a prescription, you do need to show a photo ID to buy this from behind the pharmacy counter.
  • It may interfere with how your other medicines work. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining with other medicines.
  • If you don't really need all of the medications in this combination, you're taking extra medicine and might have extra side effects for no reason.
  • Phenylephrine doesn't last as long as other decongestants like pseudoephedrine.
  • You shouldn't use it if you have high blood pressure.
  • To avoid hurting your liver, you have to keep track of the total amount of acetaminophen (APAP) you're taking since it's a very common ingredient in pain and cold/flu combination medicines.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Extended-release pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$14.24
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Reviews
1527 reviews so far
69%
saidit'sworth it
39%
saiditworked well
8%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Claritin-D (loratadine / pseudoephedrine)?

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Side effects
12possible side effects
  • Headache
    19%
  • Insomnia
    16%
  • Dry mouth
    14%
  • Drowin
    7%
  • Nervousness or anxiety
    5%
  • Dizziness
    4%
  • Indigestion
    3%
  • Nausea
    3%
  • Sore throat
    3%
  • Fatigue
    3%
  • Increased thirst
    2%
  • Loss of appetite
    2%
See more detailed side effects
The Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Doxylamine / Dextromethorphan / Phenylephrine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
  • High blood pressure
    • History of high blood pressure
    • Glaucoma
  • Restlesness
    • History of heart problems
    • Overactive thyroid
    • Diabetes
    • Over age 65
  • Difficulty concentrating
    • Taking with alcohol
    • Taking other medicines that make you less alert
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Liver damage
    • Drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day
    • Taking with other Tylenol-containing medicines
    • History of liver disease
  • High blood pressure
    • History of high blood pressure
    • Taking MAO inhibitors
  • Chronic cough from an infection
    • History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • History of smoking
  • Driving impairment
    • Taking with alcohol
    • Taking with other medicines that make you less alert
  • Antihistamine side effects
    • Age 65 years or older
    • Glaucoma
    • Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
  • Serotonin syndrome
    • Using other medications that affect serotonin
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Claritin-D (loratadine / pseudoephedrine)
Learn more about Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Doxylamine / Dextromethorphan / Phenylephrine)