What is the difference between cetirizine and loratadine?
- Cetirizine and loratadine are non-sedating antihistamines used to treat symptoms of allergic reaction such as symptoms of seasonal hay fever (allergic rhinitis) such as sneezing, runny nose, red/watery/itchy eyes, hives, and allergic skin rash.
- Brand names for Cetirizine include Zyrtec, Zyrtec Allergy, and Zyrtec Hives Relief. Brand names for loratadine include Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert, Claritin Hives Relief, Children's Claritin, and others.
- Both cetirizine and loratadine are available over-the-counter (OTC) and in generic form.
- Side effects of cetirizine and loratadine that are similar include drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and fatigue.
- Side effects of cetirizine that are different from loratadine include nausea, jitteriness, and sore throat.
- Side effects of loratadine that are different from cetirizine include nervousness and difficulty sleeping.
What are cetirizine and loratadine?
Cetirizine is a non-sedating antihistamine. It is similar to other second-generation antihistamines including loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra) and azelastine (Astelin). Histamine is a chemical responsible for many of the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions such as swelling of the lining of the nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Certirizine blocks one type of receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) and prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine. Unlike first generation antihistamines, cetirizine and other second-generation antihistamines do not readily enter the brain from the blood so they cause less drowsiness though cetirizine may cause more drowsiness than other second-generation antihistamines.
Loratadine is a long-acting, non-sedating antihistamine used to treat allergies. Loratadine blocks one type of histamine receptor (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of cells with H1 receptors by histamine. Unlike some antihistamines, loratadine does not enter the brain from the blood and does not cause drowsiness when taken at recommended doses.
What are the side effects of cetirizine and loratadine?
Cetirizine
Side effects that have been reported with cetirizine include:
- sleepiness (occurs in 14% of patients),
- dry mouth,
- nausea,
- headache,
- fatigue,
- jitteriness, and
- sore throat.
Other important but rare side effects include:
- allergic reactions,
- seizures,
- fainting, and
- low blood pressure
Loratadine
The most common adverse events with loratadine are:
Nervousness and difficulty sleeping have also been reported.
What is the dosage for cetirizine vs. loratadine?
Cetirizine
The recommended dose is 5 to 10 mg daily depending on the severity of symptoms.
Loratadine
The usual dose of loratadine is 10 mg daily for adults and children older than six years of age. The dose for children 2 to 6 years of age is 5 mg daily.
QUESTION
Allergies can best be described as:
See Answer
What drugs interact with cetirizine and loratadine?
Cetirizine
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-24, Theolair, Uniphyl, Slo-Phyllin)reduces the breakdown of cetirizine by 16% and can increase blood levels of cetirizine. Drugs that cause drowsiness may add to drowsiness resulting from cetirizine.
Loratadine
Erythromycin, cimetidine (Tagamet), and ketoconazole (Nizoral) increase the blood concentration of loratadine by inhibiting the elimination of loratadine. This may result in increased adverse events from loratadine.
St. John's wort, carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol, Epitol, Teril), and rifampin reduce blood levels of loratadine.
Are cetirizine and loratadine safe to use while pregnant and breastfeeding?
Cetirizine
Cetirizine has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. Available evidence suggests that risk to the developing fetus is low.
Cetirizine is excreted in human breast milk.
Loratadine
Loratadine is secreted in breast milk at levels similar to blood levels. Nursing mothers should decide whether to stop breastfeeding or discontinue loratadine.