They are both used to treat allergy and hayfever symptoms such as runny nose. However, Claritin is also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as such as hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions, whereas Sudafed is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion.
Which one should you take? For true cold symptoms, a decongestant will provide more relief than an antihistamine. If you notice your “cold” symptoms occur at the same time each year (spring for examine), or are consistent year-round, you may actually have allergies that could benefit from antihistamine medication.
“Zyrtec is found to be more potent, or stronger, in laboratory studies, compared with Claritin,” says Dr. Kung. “It also reaches a higher concentration in the skin, which can be more helpful for skin-related allergies. However, Zyrtec has a greater chance of making you sleepy while taking it.”
Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between Claritin and Sudafed Congestion.
Medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissues to relieve symptoms of nasal swelling, congestion and mucus secretion. Nasal Spray provides fast, temporary relief from nasal and sinus congestion plus sinus pressure for up to 12 hours.
Claritin-D® Tablets 12-Hour
This powerful tablet relieves common allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and itchy nose or throat, plus sinus congestion & pressure, and nasal congestion. Use as directed.
Zyrtec also has a quicker onset of action (one hour vs up to three hours for Claritin) but both last for 24 hours. Studies have shown equal effectiveness for Zyrtec and Claritin for allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
Sudafed Congestion has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 13 ratings on Drugs.com. 67% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 25% reported a negative effect. Zyrtec has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 198 ratings on Drugs.com.
For most people, Claritin® begins working within three hours after taking it.
Doctors consider them safe and effective treatments for minor allergies. Both are second-generation antihistamines. These cause less drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines. No research has concluded that Zyrtec or Claritin is more effective, but some people report better responses with one or the other.
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the strongest of the second-generation antihistamines, says Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez. And because there is less chance of toxicity with this medication, the dosage can be increased substantially, at the discretion of your doctor, he says. Zyrtec is an effective treatment for allergy symptoms and hives.
Alternatives to oral decongestants are available. In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart.
Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of medicines that act as decongestants by constricting small blood vessels in the nasal passages. Thus, less inflammation and congestion as the sinus tissue settles down a bit. It may improve thinking by improving breathing and sleep.
Along the same lines as OTC options, antihistamine medications, such as Sudafed, Claritin, Zyrtec or Benadryl, can also offer sinus infection symptom relief. While these medications specifically target allergy symptoms, sinus infection symptoms can be similar, making antihistamines worth a try.
Pseudoephedrine starts to work in 15 to 30 minutes, but you should feel a lot better after 30 to 60 minutes. Are there any long-term side effects? Decongestants should only be used for a short time, usually less than 7 days. If you take them for longer, you're more likely to get side effects.
It's important to limit the use of oral decongestants and only use them for up to a week without a healthcare provider's OK. Long-term use can cause side effects like high blood pressure.
Zyrtec-D (cetirizine with pseudoephedrine) is an antihistamine combined with the same active ingredient as Sudafed. It is used to treat seasonal allergies and relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure. It is sold over the counter, and a generic version is also available.
Try using a medicine that thins mucus and improves sinus drainage (mucolytic). Guaifenesin is a commonly used mucolytic. Mucolytics are often combined with other medicines such as cough suppressants. Acetaminophen can be found in many forms and comes in different doses.
ZYRTEC-D® contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant for allergies. It powerfully clears your blocked nose and relieves other allergy symptoms. You can find decongestant products like ZYRTEC-D® at your local drug store behind the pharmacy counter.
There can be several reasons for Claritin not working:
You didn't start taking Claritin soon enough. You don't take Claritin every day. You're expecting Claritin to be a decongestant. The antihistamine Claritin contains (loratadine) doesn't work for you as well as other antihistamines would.
Best in the evening: Allergy meds
Once-daily antihistamines, such as Claritin, reach their peak eight to 12 hours after you take them, so using them at dinnertime or before bed means better control of morning symptoms.