Can You Take Xyzal And Claritin Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Claritin and Xyzal can be taken together.
Can you take Xyzal with loratadine?
Jun 24, 2022- Xyzal and Claritin are both antihistamines that work the same way, so taking them together won't provide extra benefit and will only increase your risk of side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation.
- You should take one or the other and stick with whichever one works best for you.
- Studies show Xyzal tends to be more effective than Claritin for reducing allergy symptoms, though individual results may vary.
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 trying 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!
References & sources
- The effectiveness of levocetirizine in comparison with loratadine in treatment of allergic rhinitis--a meta-analysis — PubMed
- Comparison of the effects of levocetirizine and loratadine on histamine-induced wheal, flare, and itch in human skin — PubMed
- Loratadine versus levocetirizine in chronic idiopathic urticaria: A comparative study of efficacy and safety — PubMed
- A direct comparison of the efficacy of antihistamines in SAR and PAR: randomised, placebo-controlled studies with levocetirizine and loratadine using an environmental exposure unit - the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC) — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamines
- Medications that block the effects of histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergic symptoms like itching and sneezing.
- Second-generation antihistamines
- A newer class of antihistamines designed to cause less drowsiness than older types while still treating allergies effectively.
- Duration of action
- The length of time a medication continues to work in your body after you take it.
- Sedative side effects
- Drowsiness or sleepiness caused as an unwanted effect of taking a medication.
- First-generation antihistamines
- Older antihistamines that are effective at treating allergies but tend to cause more drowsiness than newer versions.
- Monotherapy
- Treatment using a single medication rather than a combination of drugs.
- Allergic rhinitis
- Inflammation of the nasal passages caused by an allergic reaction, commonly called hay fever.
- Meta-analysis
- A study that combines the results of multiple research studies to draw overall conclusions.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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