Cetirizine
Active ingredient in Zyrtec®A 10 mg, 24-hour option. Its Drug Facts warn that drowsiness may occur.
Compare cetirizine and Zyrtec →
Wellspring allergy medicine guide
Find allergy relief that fits your routine
Compare cetirizine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine and loratadine—the active ingredients associated with Zyrtec®, Allegra®, Xyzal® and Claritin®—without letting brand names or milligrams make the decision confusing.
Practical package sizes.
Free U.S. shipping
No order minimum
Secure checkout
Everyday package sizes
Start with the active ingredient
Four familiar allergy-medicine options
Brand names make allergy shopping familiar, but the active ingredient and Drug Facts label tell you what you are actually choosing. Compare the schedule, warnings and package size for each product.
Fexofenadine
Active ingredient in Allegra®Available in different labeled schedules. Take with water and review the fruit-juice warning.
Compare fexofenadine and Allegra →Levocetirizine
Active ingredient in Xyzal®A 5 mg, 24-hour option whose label directs once-daily evening use and warns that drowsiness may occur.
Compare levocetirizine and Xyzal →Loratadine
Active ingredient in Claritin®A once-daily 10 mg option commonly marketed for non-drowsy, 24-hour allergy relief.
Shop loratadine →
A simpler way to compare
The “best” allergy medicine depends on more than the brand
No single antihistamine is best for every person. Begin with the symptoms on the label, then consider drowsiness warnings, timing, ingredient interactions and the package size that fits your household.
Browse all options
1
Match the labeled symptoms
Check whether the product is labeled for the symptoms you want to relieve.
2
Review the drowsiness warning
Know how the medicine affects you before driving or doing anything that requires alertness.
3
Compare the full schedule
Different ingredients and strengths can have different directions. A larger milligram number does not automatically mean “stronger.”
4
Check every active ingredient
Avoid accidental duplication when combining allergy, cold, flu or sleep products.
Side-by-side guide
Cetirizine vs. fexofenadine vs. levocetirizine vs. loratadine
Use this as a shopping overview, then follow the complete Drug Facts for the exact product and strength you select.
| Active ingredient | Familiar brand | Wellspring options | Schedule overview | Important label consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cetirizine | Zyrtec® | 10 mg tablets | 24-hour, once-daily option | Drowsiness may occur. Avoid alcohol and use care before driving. |
| Fexofenadine | Allegra® | 60 mg and 180 mg tablets | 60 mg and 180 mg have different labeled schedules | Take with water, not fruit juice. Review antacid directions. |
| Levocetirizine | Xyzal® | 5 mg tablets | 24-hour option labeled for evening use | Drowsiness may occur. The label includes kidney-related restrictions. |
| Loratadine | Claritin® | 10 mg tablets | 24-hour, once-daily option | Do not take more than directed. Ask before use with liver or kidney disease. |
Brand names are included for active-ingredient comparison. Products with the same active ingredient and strength may still differ in inactive ingredients, dosage form, package size, manufacturer and complete labeling.
Read the “Uses” section
Common symptoms found on allergy-medicine labels
Many oral antihistamine labels include temporary relief for familiar hay-fever or upper-respiratory-allergy symptoms. Confirm the exact uses on the product you are considering.
Sneezing
Runny nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Itching of the nose or throat
Popular WELMATE choices
Shop allergy relief by active ingredient
Pricing and product imagery below are pulled directly from Shopify. Open a product to review its complete Drug Facts, availability and current purchase options.
Generic Zyrtec active ingredient
Cetirizine 10 mg · 500 tablets
A practical larger-count, once-daily option. Drowsiness may occur.
$17.95 Shop cetirizine
Generic Allegra active ingredient
Fexofenadine 180 mg · 100 tablets
A 24-hour option commonly marketed as non-drowsy. Take with water.
$16.95 Shop fexofenadine 180 mg
12-hour label option
Fexofenadine 60 mg · 200 tablets
A different fexofenadine strength and schedule in a practical package size.
$19.95 Shop fexofenadine 60 mg
Generic Xyzal active ingredient
Levocetirizine 5 mg · 360 tablets
A larger-count evening-use option. Drowsiness may occur.
$27.95 Shop levocetirizine
Generic Claritin active ingredient
Loratadine 10 mg · 365 tablets
A once-daily option in a one-year package size, commonly marketed for non-drowsy relief.
$14.95 Shop loratadine
One ingredient, two routines
Fexofenadine 60 mg vs. 180 mg
These strengths contain the same active ingredient but follow different labeled schedules. Choose by the complete Drug Facts and the routine recommended for the person taking it—not by assuming the larger milligram number is automatically the better choice.
Read the full 60 mg vs. 180 mg guide →
Safety belongs in the comparison
A few label details worth slowing down for
The right product is not only about symptom relief. It also needs to fit the person's age, medical history, other medicines and daily routine.
Current FDA warning for cetirizine and levocetirizine
The FDA warns that rare but severe itching may occur after stopping long-term daily use of oral cetirizine or levocetirizine. The reported itching typically began within a few days after stopping following use for at least several months and often years. Contact a healthcare professional if severe itching develops after stopping either medicine.
Do not combine allergy products by brand name alone
Cold, flu, sleep and allergy products can share active ingredients. Read every Drug Facts panel and ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking more than one antihistamine or combining products when you are unsure.
Helpful answers
Allergy medicine FAQs
A quick reference for common questions about ingredients, drowsiness, timing and generic allergy medicines.
Browse the full allergy collection →What is the best allergy medicine?
There is no single best allergy medicine for everyone. Compare the labeled symptoms, active ingredient, directions, drowsiness warnings, medical precautions and package format. A doctor or pharmacist can help when you are uncertain.
What is the difference between cetirizine, fexofenadine and levocetirizine?
They are different antihistamine active ingredients. They can differ in labeled strengths, schedules, precautions, interactions and drowsiness considerations. Compare each complete Drug Facts label rather than comparing milligram numbers across ingredients.
What are the generic names for Zyrtec, Allegra, Xyzal and Claritin?
Cetirizine is the active ingredient in Zyrtec, fexofenadine in Allegra, levocetirizine in Xyzal and loratadine in Claritin. Products with matching active ingredients and strengths may still differ in inactive ingredients, format and labeling.
Are there non-drowsy allergy medicines?
Fexofenadine and loratadine products are commonly marketed as non-drowsy options. Individual responses can vary, so read the exact warnings and understand how a medicine affects you before driving or performing tasks that require alertness.
Can you take two antihistamines together?
Do not combine antihistamines unless a healthcare professional has told you to do so. Check every active ingredient, especially when using allergy, cold, flu or sleep products together.
When is the best time to take allergy medicine?
The best time depends on the active ingredient, labeled schedule and how the medicine affects you. Some products are labeled for morning or evening routines, while others follow once- or twice-daily directions. Follow the selected product's Drug Facts.
Why should fexofenadine be taken with water instead of fruit juice?
Fruit juices such as grapefruit, orange and apple juice can reduce fexofenadine absorption. Follow the label and take the tablet with water.
What is the FDA warning about stopping cetirizine or levocetirizine?
The FDA warns that rare but severe itching can occur after stopping long-term daily use of cetirizine or levocetirizine. Contact a healthcare professional if severe itching develops after stopping either medicine.
Compare with confidence
Ingredient and brand guides
Allergy shopping, made clearer
Compare the label. Choose the routine. Shop the size.
Explore allergy-relief products by active ingredient, brand equivalent and package size—all with free U.S. shipping and no order minimum.
Health information: This guide is for general education and does not replace the Drug Facts label or individual medical advice. Always read and follow the exact product label. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney or liver conditions, other medicines, use in children or which option is appropriate for you. Zyrtec®, Allegra®, Xyzal® and Claritin® are trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced only for active-ingredient comparison.
