Loratadine: What It Is, How It Works, and How It Compares to Other Allergy Meds

When your nose won’t stop running or your eyes won’t stop itching, loratadine, a second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy skin. Also known as Claritin, it’s one of the most widely taken allergy meds in the U.S. because it works without making most people sleepy. Unlike older antihistamines like diphenhydramine, loratadine doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier easily, which is why you won’t feel foggy after taking it. It starts working within an hour and lasts up to 24 hours, making it a go-to for daily allergy control.

But loratadine isn’t the only option. It’s often compared to fexofenadine, the active ingredient in Allegra, another non-sedating antihistamine and cetirizine, the active ingredient in Zyrtec, which can cause mild drowsiness in some people. Studies show all three reduce allergy symptoms effectively, but people respond differently. Some find fexofenadine gentler on the stomach, others swear by cetirizine for faster relief, and many stick with loratadine because it’s cheap, reliable, and rarely causes side effects. If you’ve tried one and it didn’t work, switching to another isn’t a waste—it’s smart troubleshooting.

Loratadine works best when taken before exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander. It won’t cure your allergies, but it stops your body from overreacting to them. It’s safe for most adults and kids over two, and it doesn’t interact badly with most other meds. Still, if you’re on liver-affecting drugs or have kidney issues, talk to your doctor—your body might process it slower than normal. And if you’re using it for hives or skin rashes, know that it helps with itching but won’t fix the root cause, like an infection or contact dermatitis.

You’ll find plenty of posts here comparing loratadine to other allergy pills, digging into real-world results, side effects, and cost differences. Some people get great relief with it. Others switch after a few weeks. What works for your neighbor might not work for you—and that’s normal. Below, you’ll see direct comparisons with Allegra, Zyrtec, and others, plus what to watch for if your allergy meds suddenly stop working. No fluff. Just what you need to know to pick the right one.