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Medications for Urticaria

Other names: Hives; Wheals and Welts

Urticaria is a type of rash which is made up of wheals. (A wheal is a temporary raised area of the skin which is often itchy.) Because the rash looks like that which is caused by stinging nettles, urticaria is sometimes referred to as nettle rash.

It can also be known as hives or welts.

Drugs used to treat Urticaria

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Zyrtec 7.1 55 reviews for Zyrtec to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
cetirizine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cetirizine 6.7 75 reviews for cetirizine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
cetirizine systemic
Brand names:
Zyrtec, All Day Allergy, Aller-Tec, All Day Allergy Children's, Aller-Tec Children's, Quzyttir
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Xolair 7.6 136 reviews for Xolair to treat Urticaria Rx B N
Generic name:
omalizumab systemic
Drug class:
selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Allegra 8.7 30 reviews for Allegra to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
fexofenadine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fexofenadine 6.9 59 reviews for fexofenadine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
fexofenadine systemic
Brand names:
Allegra, Allegra Hives, Allegra ODT, Aller-Ease
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
omalizumab 7.7 170 reviews for omalizumab to treat Urticaria Rx B N
Generic name:
omalizumab systemic
Brand name:
Xolair
Drug class:
selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
loratadine 4.6 18 reviews for loratadine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
loratadine systemic
Brand names:
Claritin, Alavert, Allergy Relief Tablets, Allergy Relief 24 Hour, Children's Claritin Allergy, Claritin Reditabs, ohm Allergy Relief, Tavist ND, Wal-itin
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Benadryl 6.0 3 reviews for Benadryl to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Claritin 5.5 2 reviews for Claritin to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
loratadine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Xyzal 7.5 45 reviews for Xyzal to treat Urticaria Rx B N X
Generic name:
levocetirizine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
levocetirizine 7.6 56 reviews for levocetirizine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
levocetirizine systemic
Brand name:
Xyzal
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
doxepin 7.2 23 reviews for doxepin to treat Urticaria Rx N N X
Generic name:
doxepin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Alavert 10 1 review for Alavert to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
loratadine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
famotidine Off-label 6.3 8 reviews for famotidine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
diphenhydramine 5.3 8 reviews for diphenhydramine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Brand names:
Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy, Banophen, Allermax, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Complete Allergy Relief, Dicopanol, Diphedryl, Diphen, Diphenhist, Dormin, Dytuss, Scot-Tussin Allergy, Siladryl Allergy, Silphen Cough, Twilite, Valu-Dryl, Vanamine PD
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
promethazine 8.5 2 reviews for promethazine to treat Urticaria Rx C N X
Generic name:
promethazine systemic
Brand names:
Antinaus 50, Phenadoz, Promethegan
Drug class:
antihistamines, phenothiazine antiemetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Benadryl Allergy 4.8 5 reviews for Benadryl Allergy to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
diphenhydramine systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antihistamines, anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
chlorpheniramine 7.0 4 reviews for chlorpheniramine to treat Urticaria Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
chlorpheniramine systemic
Brand names:
Chlor-Trimeton, Aller-Chlor, Allergy Relief, C.P.M., Chlo-Amine, Chlor-Mal, ChlorTan, Ed-Chlortan, Ed ChlorPed, Ed Chlor Ped Jr., Wal-finate
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
desloratadine 5.3 6 reviews for desloratadine to treat Urticaria Rx C N
Generic name:
desloratadine systemic
Brand names:
Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
All Day Allergy Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
cetirizine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aller-Tec Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
cetirizine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Allergy Relief Tablets Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
loratadine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
All Day Allergy Children's Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
cetirizine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Allegra Hives 10 1 review for Allegra Hives to treat Urticaria OTC C N
Generic name:
fexofenadine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aller-Tec Children's Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N X
Generic name:
cetirizine systemic
Drug class:
antihistamines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Urticaria

Learn more about Urticaria

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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