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Loratadine Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Loratadine Remove Loratadine from your drug comparison Zyrtec Remove Zyrtec from your drug comparison Cetirizine Remove Cetirizine from your drug comparison
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Loratadine Remove Loratadine from your drug comparison Zyrtec cetirizine Remove Zyrtec from your drug comparison Cetirizine Remove Cetirizine from your drug comparison

Loratadine is an antihistamine that effectively treats allergic-type reactions such as hay fever and is unlikely to cause drowsiness. Prescribed for Urticaria, Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Reactions,... View more

Zyrtec is an antihistamine that effectively treats allergic-type reactions such as hay fever or skin reactions caused by insect bites. Although drowsiness with Zyrtec is uncommon, Zyrtec is more... View more

Cetirizine is an antihistamine that effectively treats allergic-type reactions such as hay fever or skin reactions caused by insect bites. Although drowsiness with cetirizine is uncommon, cetirizine... View more

Prescription and OTC

Prescription and OTC

Prescription and OTC

Ratings & Reviews

View all 90 reviews

View all 150 reviews

View all 223 reviews

Drug Class

Side Effects

See the full loratadine side effects document.

See the full Zyrtec side effects document.

See the full cetirizine side effects document.

Pricing and Coupons

* Prices are without insurance
Quantity 3 tablet
Dosage 10 mg
Per Unit* $1.49
Cost* $4.47

View all loratadine prices

Quantity 6 tablet
Dosage 10 mg
Per Unit* $3.99
Cost* $23.94

View all Zyrtec prices and generic prices

Quantity 6 tablet
Dosage 10 mg
Per Unit* $1.47
Cost* $8.80

View all cetirizine prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Generic Availability

Yes (this medicine)

Yes

Yes (this medicine)

Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Oral syrup
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet, chewable
  • Oral tablet, disintegrating
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral syrup
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet, chewable
  • Oral tablet, dispersible
  • Oral syrup
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet, chewable

Brand Names
Alavert, Allergy Relief 24 Hour, Allergy Relief Tablets, Bactimicina Allergy, Children's Allergy Relief 24 Hour, Children's Claritin Allergy, Claritin, Claritin 24 Hour Allergy, Claritin Reditabs, Clear-Atadine, Clear-Atadine Children's, Help I Have Allergies, Loratadine Reditab, ohm Allergy Relief, Tavist ND, Vicks QlearQuil All Day & All Night 24 Hour Allergy Relief, Wal-itin View more Other cetirizine brands include: All Day Allergy, All Day Allergy Children's, Aller-Tec, Aller-Tec Children's, Alleroff, Children's Allergy Relief, Equate Allergy Relief, PediaCare Children's 24-Hour Allergy, Quzyttir, Zyrtec Hives View more All Day Allergy, All Day Allergy Children's, Aller-Tec, Aller-Tec Children's, Alleroff, Children's Allergy Relief, Equate Allergy Relief, PediaCare Children's 24-Hour Allergy, Quzyttir, Zyrtec, Zyrtec Hives View more

Half Life

The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

18 hours

10.6 hours

10.6 hours

CSA Schedule**

View glossary of terms.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

FDA Alerts

N/A

N/A

N/A

Drug Interactions

A total of 77 drugs are known to interact with loratadine:

  • 67 moderate drug interactions (191 brand and generic names)
  • 10 minor drug interactions (43 brand and generic names)

A total of 243 drugs are known to interact with Zyrtec:

  • 241 moderate drug interactions (1030 brand and generic names)
  • 2 minor drug interactions (41 brand and generic names)

A total of 243 drugs are known to interact with cetirizine:

  • 241 moderate drug interactions (1030 brand and generic names)
  • 2 minor drug interactions (41 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
  • Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cetirizine such as dizziness, drowsiness,... View more
  • Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cetirizine such as dizziness, drowsiness,... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

April 12, 1993

September 27, 1996

December 08, 1995

WADA Class

View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

N/A

N/A

More Information

Consumer Resources

N/A

N/A

Professional Resources

Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer