Allergic conditions such as rhinitis, flu or common cold need timely treatment. The common causes for the inset of these conditions include exposure to allergens such as pollen grains, dust-mites, etc. In this milieu, Zyrtec and Claritin are widely used drugs for treating allergies. These meds form part of a genre called antihistamines. But, which of these two drugs can help treat allergies more effectively? It is an important thing to have additional details.
Histamines are naturally forming substances your body makes to make you sneeze or develop itching. These reactions are standard outcomes of managing an exposure to allergens. Antihistamines – as the name suggests – help decrease the effects of histamines in your body.
What is Zyrtec and what are its uses?
This antihistamine is used for treating allergies in children as well as adults. It is used for the treatment of common cold, allergic conditions such as watery discharge from eyes, runny nose, episodes of sneezing, etc. It is also prescribed for the treatment of inflammation and itchiness triggered by hives.
If you are using this drug for treating rhinitis related allergies – the typical dosage form is 5 to 10 milligrams (mg). This dosage is administered once per day. The maximum strength of this drug must never exceed 10 mg within a 24-hour timeline. In case of elders or older patients, dosage strength is often pegged at 5 mg – taken orally – each day. In case of children with rhinitis, dosage strength is 2.5 mg once each day. Maximum dose is never more than 5 mg within 24 hours.
What is Claritin and what is it used for?
This drug is also an antihistamine; this is used for the reduction of allergic conditions such as itchiness, runny nose as well as nasal blockages. It is also prescribed for treating hives, rashes on skin, incessant sneezing, etc. Your caregiver needs to know if you are allergic to drugs such as loratadine. Also, those with prior conditions such as hepatic disorders, renal dysfunction, etc. must tell their caregiving team of such ailments.
This drug is never given to children aged less than 2 years. If you witness side effects such as severe spells of migraine / headache, being lightheaded, erratic heartbeats, etc. inform your treating doctor about such signs.
Which of these 2 drugs is more effective for the treatment of allergies?
Both these drugs belong to a sub-genre called antihistamines of the 2nd generation. Of these two, Zyrtec is known to can be sedative than the other med. The former works faster than Claritin; it takes less than an hour for Zyrtec to start working while Claritin may require about 3 hours to become fully functional.
Claritin is not reported to cause nerve related conditions like being excessively confused or restless. On the other hand Zyrtec is more likely to trigger sedation than Claritin. The effects can be very adverse if the dosage strength exceeds 10 mg within a 24-hour timeline. Side effects caused by either of these 2 drugs are milder as compared to other meds of prior generations of histamines.
In sum, Zyrtec and Claritin are used for a wide range of allergic reactions such as common cold, postnasal drips, urticaria, allergic rhinitis as well as few skin conditions. Prior to starting your treatment, you are advised to talk to a qualified medical practitioner. As higher doses of these drugs may cause severe reactions, taking needful clinical support and guidance is a safe practice – especially, prior to commencing your dosage plan.