Can You Take Xyzal And Claritin Together?

Xyzal (levocetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are both antihistamines and generally should not be taken together.

Since both of these drugs work the same way, you likely won't get much additional benefit from taking them together compared to either one alone and you are increasing the risk of side effects occurring, like:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Dry eyes

I would recommend taking one or the other and try to determine which medication works best for you, and stick with that one.

How Do Xyzal And Claritin Compare?

Both Xyzal (levocetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are second-generation antihistamines, which are noted for their long duration of action (around 24 hours) and mild sedative side effects when compared to first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl.

Some sources classify Xyzal as a third-generation antihistamine, as it is a derivative of Zyrtec (cetirizine), but that designation doesn't really signify any demonstrable difference versus second-generation ones.

Overall, Xyzal and Claritin are very similar drugs, with the same duration of action (~24 hours), a similar onset of action (~30 minutes), and side effects.

Claritin products will generally cost a little less than Xyzal products, but again, they are similar.

Where there is a slight difference is in their overall effectiveness.

Most studies report that Xyzal is the superior antihistamine for multiple different uses, including hayfever (i.e. allergic rhinitis), itching, and allergic skin reactions.

One study reported the following:

Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis illustrate greater effectiveness for treatment with the active substance levocetirizine as monotherapy in reducing allergic symptoms when compared to treatment with loratadine.

Another study concluded:

This study demonstrated that levocetirizine is superior to loratadine in improving symptoms in SAR [seasonal allergic rhinitis] and that there is a similar trend in PAR [perennial allergic rhinitis].

Final Words

So, to summarize, Xyzal and Claritin should not be taken together as they do the same thing, and you'll just be increasing the risk of side effects. You should stick with one or the other on any given day.

Xyzal likely works better for the majority of people, but it's not uncommon for any one individual to prefer one over the other.

Thanks again for your question!