Antihistamine loratadine or Cetirizine Hydochloride...

K9cuddles

What's the difference?? I bought 2 different brands of One-a-Day Hayfever Relief.. I just wondered if one is more effective then the other? Both are 10mg.

tango

Just different antihistamines,try each one separately to see which one suits you best

Sam_26

You cannot cross compare the strengths, as they are different drugs within the same class. Each individual drug works at different levels. eg Paracetamol 500mg and Aspirin 300mg

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Usually with antihistamines it's all about trial and error. Try either the loratadine or cetirizine and if it works stick with it. Everyone reacts differently to medicines, so what works well for one person might not necessarily work for you.

pink_phantom

Also, some are drowsy whereas others are non drowsy.

Spikey_2

I think one can be used with under 12's (Cetirizine Hydochloride) and the other is only for over 12's (Loratadine).

tango

Spikey wrote:

I think one can be used with under 12's (Cetirizine Hydochloride) and the other is only for over 12's (Loratadine).

This is only the case in tablet form, cetirizine not allowed in under 12's...but in liquid form it is allowed.
Loratadine tablet depends on the brand,again liquid can be given to under 12's.

moonrakerz

I tried lots of different ones and eventually settled on Benadryl, which contains Acrivastine as the active constituent.

I (very) occasionally get severe allergic reactions to something, for that I use Piriton, which contains Chlorophenamine maleate.

The trouble is, by the time you've tried them all, the hay fever season is over and you've spent a fortune on pills, 99% of which didn't work, or you fell asleep and can't remember if they worked !

other

i thought the cetrizene and loratidine both come in 10mg once a day tabs as standard?

They are the same class of drug, but I tried to stick with one just in case something funny happens (which i don't actually think it will). Althought my hayfever is intermittent, but pretty bad when it comes. I use loratidine (since thats the one my sainsburys stocks 99p for 7).

These two are meant to be relatively non drowsy.

sali_mali

yes loratidine and cetirizine both do the same thing but sometimes they suit somepeople more than others. for example, i only use cetirizine because although loratidine is supposed to be non drowsy it knocks me out! not entirely sure how that happened but there we go!

its as someone said up there ^ just trial and error until you find the one that suits you. just remember which one it was next year to save you going through it all over again!

and in answer to the person who thought they both came one a day tablets as standard - they do for adults but there are children's versions that come in liquids but i think these are prescription only.

hope thats helpful

[Deleted User]

If you need these long term, as I do, and normally pay for prescriptions, then a pre payment 'seaon ticket' becomes invaluable. Along with mine I also get nasal spray and eye drops which makes it even more value for money.