Difference Between Cetirizine and Loratadine
In today’s busy life, because of our irregular habits and the environment we live in, people are facing a lot of health problems. Allergy is the most common health problem faced by people these days. Cetirizine and Loratadine are the medications for the treatment of the allergy.
Cetirizine vs Loratadine
The main difference between Cetirizine and Loratadine is that Cetirizine reacts on the body faster, but its effect doesn’t last long, whereas loratadine has a much longer effect on the body. The side effects and the benefits of both medicines vary from each other. Both react differently under different body situations.
Cetirizine can be defined as the medication for treating allergic reactions such as swelling, itching, etc. The trade names for cetirizine are “All-day allergy” and Indoor/Outdoor allergy relief. A person, when on the dosage of cetirizine, should avoid activities that require focus because the medication impairs thinking. Allergic responses such as watery nose, itching throat, and nose, etc., are treated by cetirizine.
Loratadine can be defined as the medication which works to reduce the influence of naturally produced histamine in the body. Histamine can be defined as the chemical which is responsible for the symptoms of allergy-like sneezing, itching nose, etc. It is also used for the treatment of skin hives. It is used for the treatment of upper respiratory allergies.
Comparison Table Between Cetirizine and Loratadine
| Parameter of Comparison | Cetirizine | Loratadine |
| Meaning | Medications for allergic reactions. | Medications for the treatment of histamine. |
| Dosage | 5-10 mg for both children and adults. | 5mg for the children of the age group of 2-6. 10mg for who are above 6 years. |
| Side Effects | Insomnia, confusion, dry mouth, dizziness, etc. | Jaundice, increased heart rate, convulsions, etc. |
| Other Name | Zyrtec | Claritin |
| Time scales | Its effect doesn’t last long. | Its effect lasts longer. |
What is Cetirizine?
The term Cetirizine is defined as the medication for treating allergic reactions such as itching the throat, sneezing, etc. It is frequently prescribed for treating allergies.
Some of the precautions are usually prescribed with every medication. After the consumption of Cetirizine, the activities which require focus should be avoided because the drug in the medicine impairs the thinking capacity. The consumption of alcohol should be avoided after consumption of Cetirizine.
Cetirizine sometimes also leads to some side effects. Some of the side effects are confusion, restlessness, constipation, restlessness, tiredness, etc. Its consumption should also be avoided during pregnancy as it may have harmful effects on the unborn baby. Consumption of other drugs should also be avoided after cetirizine dosage because it leads to excessive sleep.
The dosage of cetirizine varies from 5mg to 10mg depending upon the condition of the person. Dosage for people suffering from kidney problems is usually lower. Cetirizine leads to drowsiness and makes one feel extra sleepy.
Cetirizine is not available in the form of tablets, but it’s available in the form of eye drops for people who suffer from itchy eyes. It does not increase the risk of cancer as a long-term effect. Cetirizine is more frequently purchased than other allergy medicines.
What is Loratadine?
The term Loratadine can be defined as the medication which works to reduce the effect of histamine in the body. Claritin is the other name of loratadine. It is an antihistamine drug.
Some precautions should be considered during the consumption of loratadine. Patients who are suffering from diseases related to the kidney and liver should avoid the consumption of loratadine. It should not be given to children below 6 years as it may have deadly effects on their bodies.
Loratadine may have serious and minor side effects on the body considering different situations. Some of the serious side effects include jaundice, increased heart rate, etc., and the minor effects can be drowsiness, blurred vision, diarrhea, etc. Any other drug should not be taken simultaneously along with loratadine.
After the dosage of loratadine, minerals and herbal products should be consumed with the recommendation of the doctor. The dosage should be taken according to the prescription. Loratadine does not have any harmful effects on the unborn baby.
Loratadine is available in the form of a pill and a syrup. In case a person has an overdose of the medicine, he may suffer from headaches and increased heartbeat.
The dosage of Loratadine varies from 5mg to 10mg depending upon the age and the condition of the person. Usually, children are recommended less dosage than adults.
Main Differences Between Cetirizine and Loratadine
Conclusion
Both the drugs, Cetirizine and Loratadine, are used to treat allergies. People in today’s life are normally suffering from allergies but of different types and severity.
Both the drugs have their side effects and precautions, which are to be taken while their consumption. The dosages should be carefully taken according to the prescription of the doctor. Otherwise, it will lead to serious side effects.
The difference between both the drugs is their working on the body and the responses they work against. The already existing health conditions of the patients should be communicated to the doctor for better treatment.
The types of allergies may vary from person to person, but one should not ignore the symptoms. The allergies should be diagnosed and treated on time; otherwise, they may have harmful effects on the body in the long run.
References
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