{"id":58853,"date":"2023-06-11T20:42:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T00:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=58853"},"modified":"2025-10-31T10:39:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T14:39:26","slug":"cetirizine-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cetirizine-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Cetirizine (Zyrtec) alternatives: What can I take instead of cetirizine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cetirizine is a generic over-the-counter (OTC) medication that belongs to a group of medications called <\/span>antihistamines<\/span><\/a> and is available under the brand-name Zyrtec. Antihistamines like cetirizine can help treat symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies. Some allergy symptoms that can be relieved by cetirizine include a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and an itchy nose or throat. Antihistamines work by blocking chemicals in the body called histamines that are released by the immune system. These drugs can also benefit certain itchy skin conditions like hives (urticaria). There are first-generation antihistamines known to cause more side effects like <\/span>drowsiness<\/span><\/a>, and second-generation antihistamines are newer and considered safer. An additional advantage of second-generation antihistamines is that they are long-acting and typically dosed once daily. Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine available as a capsule, tablet, oral solution, chewable tablet, and orally disintegrating tablet (ODT).<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tZyrtec 10 mg, 100 tablets (1 Bottle)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Zyrtec prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

While an effective treatment for some people, cetirizine may not be the best and safest antihistamine medication for everyone. Although cetirizine is a newer antihistamine and is intended to be less drowsy, some people may have better luck with the side effects of other second-generation allergy treatment options. <\/span>Studies in adults<\/span><\/a> show that about 14% of people experienced somnolence or drowsiness while taking cetirizine. Sometimes, first-generation antihistamines are used to treat insomnia because of their side effect profile of causing drowsiness, so these may be a good option for people who also need help falling asleep. Additionally, some people may need a combination <\/span>allergy medication<\/span><\/a> that contains a decongestant for greater relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How much is cetirizine HCl (Zyrtec) without insurance?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of cetirizine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are other options available to treat symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies that do not improve with cetirizine. These alternative medications include other second-generation antihistamines, first-generation antihistamines, and combination drugs. These options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different uses, side effect profiles, and dosages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Zyrtec (cetirizine) alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cetirizine<\/span><\/p>\n

(Zyrtec)<\/span><\/td>\n

-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Hay fever symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives)<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 10 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nZyrtec\u00a0 coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)<\/span><\/td>\n-Upper respiratory allergies<\/span><\/td>\nTake 1 tablet (cetirizine 5 mg\/pseudoephedrine 120 mg) by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nZyrtec-D\u00a0<\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chlorpheniramine (Aller-chlor)<\/span><\/td>\n-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Hay fever symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Motion sickness<\/span><\/td>\n

Immediate release: Take 4 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Extended release: Take 12 mg by mouth every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n

Aller-chlor <\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desloratadine (Clarinex)<\/span><\/td>\n-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Hay fever symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives)<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 5 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nClarinex\u00a0<\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)<\/span><\/td>\n-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Insomnia<\/span><\/p>\n

-Motion sickness<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 25 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours or 50 mg by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed<\/span><\/td>\nBenadryl <\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fexofenadine (Allegra)<\/span><\/td>\n-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Hay fever symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives)<\/span><\/td>\n

Twice-daily formulations: Take 60 mg by mouth every 12 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Once-daily formulations: Take 180 mg by mouth once daily\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Allegra\u00a0<\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)<\/span><\/td>\n-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Hay fever symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives)<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 5 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nXyzal\u00a0<\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loratadine (Claritin)<\/span><\/td>\n-Allergic rhinitis symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Hay fever symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

-Chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives)<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 10 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nClaritin\u00a0<\/span>coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to cetirizine<\/span><\/h3>\n

For people seeking other alternatives to cetirizine, there are a variety of oral antihistamine medications including combination drugs with pseudoephedrine and alternative formulations such as nasal sprays.<\/span><\/p>\n