Claritin Prices, Total Costs & Coupons

More than 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year. 8.4% of children have seasonal allergies.

This costs our country 18 billion dollars every year in medical costs and lost wages.

But what can you do about it? We can't stop plants from growing, and no one wants to live in indoor isolation.

Some people try treatments like acupuncture, allergy-proofing their homes, filters, probiotics, and supplements.

If you've had it with the congestion, headaches, itching, and sneezing, it may be time to try something stronger like medication.

This article will show you the similarities and differences of two common allergy medications. We hope by the end you'll know whether Allegra vs Claritin is right for you or for someone you love.

Allergies & Antihistamines

Seasonal allergies can be miserable. They can create a lot of annoying symptoms like:

• Runny nose
• Congested nose
• Watery Eyes
• Sneezing
• Itching

These symptoms can be even worse if you have respiratory issues or asthma.

Since they're seasonal, it's often pollen that causes allergies. It can also be several other things though. Seasonal allergies can be caused by exposure to items like:

• Trees
• Grass
• Weeds
• Mold
• Dust

While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they're your body's way of trying to protect itself. When your body believes you are threatened by something in the allergens, your system tells your mast cells to release histamine.

Histamine binds to the H1 receptors in the cells of your eyes and nose. This opens your blood vessels and increases your secretions. Even though you're annoyed by your flowing nose and eyes, your body is keeping itself safe from allergens.

Most allergy medications are antihistamines. These medications keep histamine from binding to the H1 sites in the eyes and nose. If there's no histamine there, your eyes and nose won't be stimulated to drain and itch.

Allegra and Claritin are both antihistamines, so they act on the body in the same ways.

Allegra vs Claritin: Differences

Since Allegra and Claritin are both antihistamines, they are similar in a lot of ways. The main differences are:

• Active Ingredients
• Forms
• Drug Interactions
• Warning
• Price

The active ingredient in Allegra is Fexofenadine. The active ingredient in Claritin is Loratadine.

We'll take a look at these other differences throughout the rest of this article.

Allegra vs Claritin: Doses

Both Allegra and Claritin for allergies treat the same symptoms. These will reduce the sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose.

They can both be taken in an orally disintegrating tablet, an oral table, or an oral capsule. It's up to you to decide which version you prefer.

All these forms of Claritin can be used for ages 6 and up, but only Allegra's orally disintegrating tablet can be used for 6 and up. You have to be 12 to take these other forms of Allegra.

Claritin can also be a chewable tablet or an oral solution though, while Allegra for allergies can come as an oral suspension (liquid). The only difference between an oral solution and an oral suspension is that the suspension must be shaken before it is given.

These types can all be taken by ages 2 and up.

The product packaging will tell you exactly how much to take based on your age or your child's age.

Allegra vs Claritin: Side Effects

Antihistamines used to cause fatigue and drowsiness. Newer antihistamines like Allegra and Claritin though, don't do this.

Most people don't have side effects when they take newer antihistamines, but there are a few symptoms that can happen.

Side effects of Allegra:

• Headaches
• Trouble Sleeping
• Vomiting
• Nervousness

Side effects of Claritin:

• Headaches
• Trouble Sleeping
• Nervousness
• Dry Mouth
• Nosebleed
• Sore Throat

As you can see there are a few more for Claritin. There are a few more dangerous side effects too when taking these medications.

Allegra:

• Swelling of eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or legs
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Chest Tightness
• Flushing

Claritin:

• Swelling of eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or legs
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Rash
• Hoarseness

Again, most people do not experience any of these side effects though.

Allegra vs Claritin: Warnings

Both Allegra and Claritin can have drug interactions with other medications you may be taking.

A drug interaction is when one drug reduces or increases the effect of the other drug when they're taken together. This can lead to medication that does nothing or an overdose.

Allegra and Claritin have different interactions with different drugs, so this may be a factor in which you want to take.

Allegra interacts with:

• Ketoconazole
• Erythromycin
• Antacids

Claritin interacts with:

• Ketoconazole
• Erythromycin
• Amiodarone

If you have any doubts or concerns, talk to your doctor about taking Allegra vs Claritin with any of your current medications or supplements.

If you have Kidney Disease, you shouldn't take Allegra or Claritin. If you have Liver Disease, Claritin may not be safe for you either.

If you have Phenylketonuria, you should not take orally disintegrating Allegra or chewable Claritin for allergies.

Again, if you have any health conditions that you think may interact with antihistamines, you should talk to your doctor before taking Allegra or Claritin.

Allegra vs Claritin: Price

The generic version of Allegra can be similarly priced or more expensive than the actual medication. Allegra itself can cost as low as 59 cents per 180 mg pill.

Claritin can cost about 99 cents each for 10 mg tablets.

The type of delivery you want will affect the price of the medication. Children's forms are often more expensive than adult capsule forms.

Really, the key to finding a good price is knowing how often you want to take the medication, how much you need to take to feel better, (how high the dosage needs to be) and what form you want to take. Then it's time to shop around.

Now You Know

Now that you know all about Allegra vs Claritin for seasonal allergies, you might want to look into causes and treatments for other types of allergies. Our other article will tell you everything you need to know about medication allergies.