Compare Claritin vs. Zaditor
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats allergies.
Claritin (loratadine) is a once-daily medicine for allergies that won't make you as sleepy as other medicines that work like it.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 1517 reviewsforClaritin
Relieves itchy eyes due to allergies.
Zaditor (ketotifen) is the first-choice OTC treatment for allergy-related itchy eyes, but it doesn't treat infections and may not help for more serious allergies.
Upsides
- It doesn't cause daytime drowsiness unlike other antihistamines.
- Side-effects are mild, if any at all.
- Available over-the-counter without a prescription.
- It provides quick relief of allergy symptoms for both children and adults.
- It doesn't interfere with how a lot of other medicines work.
- Works within minutes to relieve itchy eyes.
- Available to buy over-the-counter, which makes it cheaper.
- Can use in children age 3 or older.
- Unlike pills which can affect your whole body, Zaditor (ketotifen) only affects your eyes, which means it has less side effects than anti-allergy pills.
Downsides
- It's not the best choice if you have persistent, daily allergy symptoms.
- It's not recommended for children less than 2 years old.
- Can only use Zaditor (ketotifen) for a short period of time.
- Administering the medication into the eye safely may be more difficult for some people than taking anti-allergy pills.
Used for
- Allergy-related itchy eyes
- Seasonal allergies
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Chewable tablet
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Eye drops
No pricing information available
No pricing information available
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Reviews
1517 reviews so far
74%
saidit'sworth it
38%
saiditworked well
6%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Claritin (loratadine)?
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Side effects
19possible side effects
- Headache12%
- Drowsiness8%
- Nervousness or anxiety4%
- Wheezing4%
- Tiredness4%
- Rash3%
- Diarrhea3%
- Mouth or tongue irritation3%
- Dry mouth3%
- Hyperactive behavior3%
- Ear pain3%
- Bloody nose3%
- Sore throat3%
- Flu-like symptoms3%
- Abdominal pain2%
- Pink eye2%
- Lung infections2%
- Difficulty speaking2%
- Feeling uneasy or uncomfortable2%
The Zaditor (ketotifen) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Difficulty concentrating
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Excess phenylalanine
- History of phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Allergy to ingredients
- Risk for eye infection
- Not to be used with contact lenses
- Those who wear soft contact lenses