What is the difference between cetirizine and fexofenadine

In addition, it's thought that allergy shots may sometimes help prevent the development of new allergies. First-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier , which can produce a sedative effect.

However, not everyone feels sleepy when taking these. Among second-generation antihistamines, the most potent are Xzal levocetirizine and Allegra fexofenadine , which are available over the counter. In the end, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are all good antihistamine options and are generally well-tolerated.

But there are some differences between them, as outlined above, which may make one of these antihistamines better than the others depending on a person's needs and characteristics. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. A review of antihistamines used during pregnancy. J Pharmacol Pharmacother.

Safety of antihistamines during pregnancy and lactation. Can Fam Physician. Cleveland Clinic. July 13, Pharmacology of antihistamines. World Allergy Organization Journal. Approved February 25, Approved November 27, Approved September 3, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. How to Treat Allergies During Pregnancy. Or you may need to take it regularly to prevent symptoms, such as to stop hay fever during spring and summer.

If you're taking fexofenadine once a day, take your forgotten dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. If you forget to give a dose to a child who is taking fexofenadine twice a day, you can give the dose if it's within 4 hours of when they should have had it.

If you remember more than 4 hours after, do not give the missed dose. Instead, wait until the next dose and carry on as normal.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. Fexofenadine is generally very safe. Taking more than your usual dose is unlikely to harm you.

If you take an extra dose, you might get some of the common side effects. If this happens or you're concerned, contact your doctor. Like all medicines, fexofenadine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:. Go to In rare cases, fexofenadine may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. These are not all the side effects of fexofenadine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. Fexofenadine is not usually recommended if you're pregnant as there is not a lot of information about its use in pregnancy. Other antihistamines may be more suitable as better safety information is available.

If you think that you need to take fexofenadine in pregnancy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist who will help you decide, or who may recommend other medicines for you. If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take fexofenadine while breastfeeding.

There is very little information available, but it shows that only tiny amounts get into breast milk. It is unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby. If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, as other antihistamines called loratadine and cetirizine might be better while you're breastfeeding. If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, or seems irritable, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

Some medicines and fexofenadine can affect each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with fexofendadine. There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements with it, especially ones that cause sleepiness or a dry mouth, or make it difficult to pee.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Fexofenadine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, such as pollen, animal hair or fur, house dust, or insect bites and stings, your body produces a chemical called histamine.

Usually histamine is a useful substance, but in an allergic reaction it causes unpleasant symptoms including itchy, watery eyes, a running or blocked nose, sneezing and skin rashes. You may only need to take it as a one-off dose or for a day or two, for example if you have a reaction to an insect bite.

You may need to take fexofenadine for longer if you're taking it to prevent symptoms, for example to stop hay fever symptoms when the pollen count is high. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure how long you need to take fexofenadine for. Fexofenadine is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time.

But it's best to take it only for as long as you need to. It's best not to drink alcohol while you're taking fexofenadine as it can make you feel sleepy. Fruit juices such as grapefruit juice, orange juice, and apple juice can decrease the amount of Allegra that your body absorbs. This can make the drug less effective. To avoid this interaction, wait at least 4 hours after drinking fruit juice before taking Allegra. Or, you can wait 2 hours after taking Allegra to drink fruit juice.

Make sure you take Allegra tablets with water, not juice. You should also avoid taking Zyrtec and Allegra with alcohol. Combining the drugs with alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness. Allegra and Zyrtec treat the same symptoms and come in similar forms, but these drugs have a few key differences between them:.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about Allegra and Zyrtec and which drug may be right for you. They can also give you advice on taking the drugs safely. Shop for Allegra. Shop for Zyrtec.

Allegra and Zyrtec are common over-the-counter drugs used to treat allergy symptoms. Zyrtec is more likely to cause drowsiness.

Drinking fruit juices can make Allegra less effective. Zyrtec is an over-the-counter allergy medication. If your child has allergic rhinitis more commonly called allergies , you may be looking for a…. Tonsillar hypertrophy is another term for enlarged tonsils.

Swollen tonsils, also called tonsillitis, can be caused by a number of things. Most commonly, tonsils swell due to a bacterial or viral infection. Learn about what foods are good to eat and what foods to avoid if you have a sore throat. Zyrtec interacts with other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as painkillers, antidepressants, or medications used for anxiety or sleep, as well as alcohol or marijuana cannabis. Allegra is a pregnancy category C, and Zyrtec is a pregnancy category B.

Because the drugs have not been studied enough in pregnant women, be sure to consult your doctor before using Allegra or Zyrtec if you are pregnant. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications. Allegra can not only interact with grapefruit juice but orange or apple juice.

These fruit juices lower the amount of Allegra in your body, making the drug less effective. It is important to take Allegra with water. When taking Zyrtec use caution when driving or operating machinery. Avoid using Zyrtec with alcohol, marijuana, or other medications that cause sedation, because the combination can worsen CNS impairment. Allegra, also known by its generic name fexofenadine, is an antihistamine used in the treatment of allergies. While both drugs are antihistamines, they have some differences such as side effects, drug interactions, and warnings outlined above.

Other popular antihistamines you may have heard of include Benadryl diphenhydramine , Claritin loratadine , and Xyzal levocetirizine. Studies show both drugs to be better than placebo and various evidence shows that Allegra and Zyrtec are equally effective, or that Zyrtec may be slightly better.

However, side effects vary as well and should be taken into consideration when selecting an allergy medication. Consult your doctor about the use of Allegra or Zyrtec during pregnancy. If you are already taking Allegra or Zyrtec and find out that you are pregnant, consult your doctor. Alcohol can increase the side effects of Allegra or Zyrtec, such as dizziness, drowsiness, or impairment.

It is recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Allegra or Zyrtec. Combining allergy medications is not always a good idea. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is best to pick one appropriate allergy medication and take it as directed. That depends.