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

Most common
headache (up to 12%)
somnolence (up to 8%)
fatigue (up to 4%)
dry mouth (up to 3%)

Allegra

Most common
headache (≥2%)
back pain (≥2%)
dizziness (≥2%)
stomach discomfort (≥2%)

Claritin vs. Allegra Dosage

Claritin

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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