Claritin vs. Allegra
See how Claritin and Allegra compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Claritin and Allegra are both once-daily-capable, non-sedating antihistamines approved for seasonal allergy symptoms and chronic hives, but they differ in dosing flexibility and how the body processes them.
Claritin uses one simple dose (5 mg or 10 mg) once a day, while Allegra offers several regimens, including twice-daily dosing for children and a once-daily 180 mg tablet for adults.
Allegra is metabolized mostly outside the liver, which may suit people with liver concerns, while Claritin's label advises checking with a doctor before use if liver or kidney disease is present.
Claritin vs. Allegra Drug Summary
Claritin
Claritin (loratadine) is a second-generation H1 antihistamine used to relieve seasonal and perennial allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes, as well as chronic hives. It comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, or syrup, and is taken once a day at either 5 mg or 10 mg.
Allegra
Allegra (fexofenadine) is also a second-generation H1 antihistamine, approved to treat seasonal allergy symptoms and chronic hives. It is available as a tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, or oral suspension, with dosing that varies by age from twice-daily 30 mg or 60 mg doses to a once-daily 180 mg tablet for adults.
Claritin vs. Allegra Side Effects
Claritin
Allegra
Claritin vs. Allegra Dosage
Claritin
Allegra
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg twice daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 60 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Claritin
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Allegra
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg twice daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 60 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Claritin vs. Allegra Indications
Claritin
Claritin is FDA-approved for temporary relief of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. It is also approved to relieve itching and hives from chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms
Perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives)
Itching associated with hives
Allegra
Allegra is FDA-approved for relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms such as sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. It is also approved to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria, the itching and hives that can occur without a known cause.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives)
Itching associated with hives
Available for children age 6 and up
Claritin vs. Allegra Pros and Cons
Claritin
Claritin offers simple once-daily dosing at a single strength for most people and comes in more over-the-counter formats than Allegra, including a syrup for young children. Its main tradeoffs are a somewhat higher reported drowsiness rate and a label caution around liver or kidney disease that Allegra's does not carry to the same degree.
Pros
Simple once-daily dosing (5 mg or 10 mg)
Available in more forms: syrup, chewable, tablet, ODT
Long-standing OTC track record since 1993
No renal-specific starting dose listed on label
Cons
Higher reported drowsiness rate (up to 8%) than Allegra
Label advises caution and dose review with liver or kidney disease
Only two dose strengths, less flexibility across ages
More extensively metabolized by the liver than Allegra
Allegra
Allegra provides more dosing options across ages, including a once-daily 180 mg tablet for adults and a specific reduced starting dose for kidney impairment. Its main tradeoffs are twice-daily dosing for children and for standard adult use, plus an ODT formulation containing phenylalanine.
Pros
Once-daily 180 mg option available for adults
Minimal (~5%) liver metabolism, useful with liver disease
Specific reduced starting dose defined for kidney impairment
Lower reported rates for individual side effects (≥2% each)
Cons
Standard adult dosing requires twice-daily 60 mg tablets
Children's dosing (ages 6-11) requires twice-daily 30 mg
ODT formulation contains phenylalanine
Fewer over-the-counter form options than Claritin
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