Difference b/t Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin, etc

[vettechick99]

My DH and DD4 have allergies so we have all these in the house, all prescribed by their doctors. I'm not sure what they are all good for...what can you tell me?

The reason I ask is that after a few days of brewing, a sinus infection has finally taken hold of my head. It's killing me - sinus headache, sinus congestion, post nasal drip, etc. Any of those good to take? Any other recs (I have lots more in the cabinet LOL).

I have been taking Vitamin C twice a day, Tussin DM, and just took a Motrin for pain. I am willing to load up on meds because I have a big day ahead. Help me out!

 

[LA PIG]

My kids suffer from allergies. I've found that Claritin doesn't do much for them. Allegra controls their allergies better. They took Zyrtec a few years ago. I felt it was a step above Claritin, but slightly weaker than Allegra. I don't know what the technical difference is between the three, just how my kids reacted to the different brands. Others may have different experiences with the meds.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

My DH and DD4 have allergies so we have all these in the house, all prescribed by their doctors. I'm not sure what they are all good for...what can you tell me?

The reason I ask is that after a few days of brewing, a sinus infection has finally taken hold of my head. It's killing me - sinus headache, sinus congestion, post nasal drip, etc. Any of those good to take? Any other recs (I have lots more in the cabinet LOL).

I have been taking Vitamin C twice a day, Tussin DM, and just took a Motrin for pain. I am willing to load up on meds because I have a big day ahead. Help me out!

The difference is the active main ingredients.

Some people tolerate one better than the other...just like Advil...Tylenol...All do te same thing pretty much, but are different.

These won't really help a sinus infection though. They take a few days to a few weeks building up in your body to work, not like Beneydryl. That's why you take them everyday, even when you don't have symptoms.

 

[720L]

I'd like to know the difference between them also, my DD has terrible allergies and the only thing that stops the runny nose is Benedryl or Sudaphed. I do know that the Dr told us it takes a few days for the Claritin, Zyrtec etc to start working, so I don't think those will help you today. Claritin didn't help her, haven't tried anything else.

 

[vettechick99]

Maybe that's why DD1's ped prescribed Claritin for her when she had a runny nose...weaker? I've been taking Claritin the last few days and it obviously didn't stop this from coming on, so I may try one of the other two. Blah sinuses.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Zyrtec is the only one that works for me.

 

[Debbie7452]

I'm no Dr. but the only thing that will get rid of an actual sinus infection is antibiotics. I do have allergies...for me Zyrtec works best but has started to make me feel too sleepy. Ive been taking Allegra D with the decongestant in it and it's working pretty good with less side effects. Claritin does nothing for me.

I do get sinus infections a lot. If I am trying to manage the symptoms and can't get to the Dr. I take dayquil and also do a nasal mist such as Afrin or Vick's.The nasal spray gives me a lot of relief from the pressure in my nose/face/head.

 

[Uptown Girl]

I agree, get to the dr for some antibiotics. Sinus infections can be very difficult to treat. I also would use benadryl or something that is shorter acting for acute symptoms. These other pills are mostly to maintain levels in your blood to keep symptoms at bay.

Each of these drugs works better on certain allergies. Allegra works best for my son. Zyrtec did nothing for him. I take Claritin because Allegra is too strong for my and I get nose bleeds from it.

You will probably also need a nasal spray, Flonaise or something like that. I developed allergies in the past 5 or 6 years and they are really annoying .

 

[Anne MN]

The way one of the Dr's explained it to me is this-
Claritin (Lotradine)- is the lowest
Allegra is the next step up- little stronger
Zyrtec is the strongest-

like a PP said- takes up to 2 weeks for the med to have an effect-takes that long for the histamine blocker to become effective

 

[HillPete]

They all have the potential to cause anxiety! Last spring while I was trying to see which would work for my allergies, I convinced myself that I had lung cancer! At my dr.'s recommendation, I went off the allergy meds and the lung cancer went away! She said it's not all that unusual for people to freak out about silly things when on these meds. YMMV. Good luck!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

They all have the potential to cause anxiety! Last spring while I was trying to see which would work for my allergies, I convinced myself that I had lung cancer! At my dr.'s recommendation, I went off the allergy meds and the lung cancer went away! She said it's not all that unusual for people to freak out about silly things when on these meds. YMMV. Good luck!

Yes...This is why I can't take ZYrtec.

 

[vettechick99]

Thanks for the info. The last time I had one my doctor (OB - I was already there and this was week 4 of the infection) reluctantly gave me some antibiotics. He said he didn't think it would help much and it really didn't. Zyrtec seemed to help and it did take a full week to feel better. I will continue treating the symptoms and loading up on meds...thanks!

 

[mickeymedic]

For a sinus infection, I'm not sure that a histamine blocker is going to really do much for you. I would use Sudafed for the sinus congestion, Mucinex to thin the mucus and Advil or Tylenol for pain and fever reduction. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

For a sinus infection, I'm not sure that a histamine blocker is going to really do much for you. I would use Sudafed for the sinus congestion, Mucinex to thin the mucus and Advil or Tylenol for pain and fever reduction. Hope you feel better soon!

This is what I usually do. I get them so often that my Dr STOPPED giving my antibiotics for it. They usually clear up on their own.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER with the Mucinex. It can really dehydrate you and make you feel even worse. The good thing about it is that you don't have to take it with food...But PLEASE DO drink PLENTY of water.

 

[mickeymedic]

This is what I usually do. I get them so often that my Dr STOPPED giving my antibiotics for it. They usually clear up on their own.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER with the Mucinex. It can really dehydrate you and make you feel even worse. The good thing about it is that you don't have to take it with food...But PLEASE DO drink PLENTY of water.

Oh yes! Thanks for the reminder on the water. This is really important.

 

[bethbuchall]

They all have the potential to cause anxiety! Last spring while I was trying to see which would work for my allergies, I convinced myself that I had lung cancer! At my dr.'s recommendation, I went off the allergy meds and the lung cancer went away! She said it's not all that unusual for people to freak out about silly things when on these meds. YMMV. Good luck!

Yes...This is why I can't take ZYrtec.

I had the same problem with Zyrtec and didn't realize that it was common. That makes me feel better.

 

[Coconut36]

It's really and individual things regarding what one will work best for you and will really require some trial and error on your part.

I personally can use all three of those interchangeably...there is no noticeable difference in controlling my allergies with one over the other at all. They all work the same for me. I prefer Claritin as it tends to be cheaper.

For my Mom Allegra is the one that really controls her allergy issues

For my boys Zyrtec seems to be the only one that works well for them..Claritin actually seems to rile them up and works not quite as well.

For my best friend only Zyrtec seems to work for him..anything else and he still has terrible issues.

So unfortunately there is no quick answer it just depends on your body chemistry and how each one works for you.

In the case of a sinus infection though I am not sure they will do you any good. Usually Mucinex (and ditto drink TONS of water) and Sudafed are a bit more helpful along with Tylenol or Advil or something like that for the pressure.

 

[lovetoscrap]

You might also try a Saline Nasal Rinse. You buy it at the drug store. Some people like the Neti Pot but I prefer the squeeze bottle style. Sounds gross, and kind of is, but I have found it to be very helpful. I have a terrible cold right now and the Saline Rinse is really helping. Be sure to use distilled or previously boiled water.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not sure the difference--just that some work and some don't on me and I'm positive that may be the case with some others as well.

I use prescription Xyzal. My daughter is fine with OTC Claritin for kids.

If you have a sinus infection, you need antibiotics. I've been known to take my allergy meds for very minor cold symptoms--but for major cold symptoms, the allergy medicines don't really do much for me as that is not what they are designed to for.

 

[SpecialK]

The only thing that works for me when I have sinus issues is something with pseudo-ephedrine. Allergy meds won't touch it.

Also, you could try taking garlic pills. They've also helped when I've had the beginning of a sinus infection.