Runny nose, unreasonable swelling, itchy red spots all over? It must be allergies. If you’ve got any sort of allergy, you probably avoid whatever causes it like the plague. Unfortunately, we can’t always be aware of whether or not an allergen is present in the things we come in contact with so there’s never really a guarantee that we won’t ever have to deal with allergies at some point in the future.
Luckily, for us, pharmaceutical companies have developed effective allergy medicine that can relieve those symptoms fast, but with such a wide variety of options to choose from, you might not be able to help but wonder – which is the best allergy medicine for me? Still stuck in the pharmacy with your swollen face, figuring out which medicine to pluck out of the shelf? This guide should be of assistance.
Disclaimer – All allergy medicines recommended in this guide are related to Contact Allergies and Inhaled Allergies ONLY. They are NOT medicines suggested for use with Ingested Allergies (e.g. food-related allergies).
Top 10 Allergy Medicines Chart
| Picture | Name | Active Ingredient | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Alavert 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief (60-Count Fresh Mint Flavor Orally Disintegrating Tablets) | Loratadine | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Member's Mark Formerly Known As Simply Right Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Tablets | Cetirizine | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Generic Benadryl Diphenhydramine HCI 25 Mg - Kirkland Brand | Diphenhydramine | $ | 4.7 |
 | 4. Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets, 100 Count | Diphenhydramine | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 5. Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets, 45 Count, 10 mg each | Cetirizine | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 6. Allegra Adult 24 Hour Allergy Tablets, 180Mg, 70 Count | Fexofenadine | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 7. GoodSense All Day Allergy, Cetirizine HCL Tablets, 10 mg, 365 Count | Cetirizine | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 8. Major Pharmaceuticals Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg Anti-Allergy Tablets, 1000 Count | Chlorphenarimine Maleate | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 9. Diphenhydramine HCL [Compare to Benedryl] 50 mg, 100 Capsules | Diphenhydramine | $ | 4.5 |
 | 10. Claritin Allergy 24 Hour Tablets, 10 mg, 45-Tablets | Loratadine | $$$ | 4.4 |
Buying Information for Allergy Medicine
One of the reasons why it’s so difficult to choose the best allergy medicine is because of the fact that there are so many different brands and types available. The process of narrowing down your options can be made much easier by considering these three factors.
- Active Ingredient. There are commonly five different active ingredients that you’ll find in allergy medication. These can completely change the relief and results you get out of your dosage. So be sure to read the labels and find out what you’re taking before you actually do to prevent any unwanted side effects.
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate. This antihistamine is used to relieve allergic reactions that cause problems such as sneezing, runny nose, water eyes, and itching. Chlorphenarimine maleate is also approved for use on hives. It’s available over the counter and is generally more affordable than other options. Common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, restlessness, and in some instances, nausea.
- Fexofenadine. Fexofenadine works to resolve runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and hives. This antihistamine is much less likely to cause drowsiness, making it ideal for use when out and about. However, it’s also much less potent than other drugs, making it less likely to provide strong relief.
- Cetirizine. Commonly used for itching, seasonal allergies, rashes, and runny nose, cetrizine can be used sans the drowsy side-effect. Unlike chlorphenarimine maleate, it’s not approved for hives. While it is relatively effective for specific symptoms of allergies, long term use can cause dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and high blood pressure.
- Loratadine. This particular antihistamine is used to treat runny nose, watery eyes, skin rashes, itching, sneezing, and hives. Although effective, it also causes side-effects such as drowsiness, headaches, fatigue, and dry mouth.
- Diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is another allergy medicine that’s used to treat swelling, itching, rashes, water eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. But it’s also approved for use to fight against motion sickness and insomnia. Because diphenhydramine can have chemical reactions with other medications, it’s important to read labels before you take a dosage.
- Fast Acting. If you’ve ever experienced an allergic reaction, you should know that it’s of utmost importance to find something that works fast. Because of the significant discomfort you’re likely to feel when your allergy is triggered, it’s ideal to find medication that will provide you relief as soon as possible.
Of course, brands will indicate that they work fast on their packaging, but there’s never a guarantee. For this particular consideration, you may have to go through some trial and error to figure out which formula your body reacts best to.
- Economical. There are some people who experience allergic reactions sparingly, having just 1 or 2 episodes in a year. Then there are those who have to deal with the difficulties on a monthly basis, especially if they’re triggered by environmental factors like the changing seasons.
Depending on how often you have to resolve allergic reactions, it would be wise to consider the value you’ll get when you buy in bulk. It can be a lot cheaper to purchase allergy medication in greater amounts if you need them often or if you want to have a supply for your family or office. Otherwise, stick to smaller counts to eliminate the chances of wasting tablets due to expiration dates.
Top 5 Best Allergy Medicine Reviews
1. Alavert 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief
Considered by many as the best allergy medicine, Alavert incorporates loratadine as its main active ingredient. This allows it to target symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itching, and even irritated throat. The formula is non-drowsy, so if you take one to resolve an allergic reaction before work, you shouldn’t expect to fall asleep at your desk.
Alavert allergy medicine comes in the form of a tablet that dissolves easily on the tongue. This makes it a lot easier to take a dosage even when you don’t have water in tote. This also makes it much less of a struggle to administer a dose to children who may not be able to swallow whole tablets just yet.
Buyers often choose Alavert as their ride-or-die allergy medication, keeping large quantities at home or in the office as an emergency medication in case of allergic reactions. All in all, Alavert 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief provide major value for money, combining effective and fast relief with affordable cost.
2. Member’s Mark Hydrochloride Allergy Tablets
The second best over the counter allergy medicine on our list is Member’s Mark Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Tablets. This antihistamine promises to relieve sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, and itchy throat and nose. The non-drowsy formula is perfect for people on the go and the small tablet size makes it easy to use even in the absence of water. For children, the tablets can be easily cut in half without a pill cutter, making them very convenient for troubled parents.
Member’s Mark Cetirizine provides very long-lasting results. One dosage can last for up to 24 hours after it’s consumed. This means taking one at the start of the day can be more than enough to keep your nose clear throughout the working day.
All in all, Member’s Mark Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Tablets get the job done fast, easy, and safe. So if your body responds better to cetirizine than any other active ingredient, you should give Member’s Mark a try.
3. Generic Benadryl Diphenhydramine Kirkland Brand
Another close contender is Kirkland Brand Diphenhydramine HCl 25Mg. This particular antihistamine works to fight against symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, watery eyes, hay fever, and itchy throat. A single dosage can provide results for up to 6 hours after use.
While it is rather effective, many experts don’t suggest the use of Kirkland Brand Diphenhydramine HCl for chronic allergies. That’s because the effects only last for several hours, requiring multiple dosages to resolve a long-term allergic problem. But it is great for people who experience sudden, acute allergic reactions.
Another thing to consider is the fact that some Kirkland Brand Diphenhydramine HCl users claim that the product doesn’t work well on some people. Slower to take effect compared to other antihistamines, taking one of these tablets could mean that you’d have to wait a few minutes before any sort of relief can be achieved.
4. Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets
Synonymous with “allergy medicine” is the brand name Benadryl. Through the years, this brand has risen to popularity as one of the most common and trusted brands of allergy medication on the market. Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets uses diphenhydramine as its main active ingredient, targeting symptoms such as runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose and throat.
Benadryl causes marked drowsiness, which means you may not be able to keep your eyes open on your way to work. Because it’s very likely that you will fall asleep after use, avoid taking Benadryl if you can’t risk sleeping.
Another point of concern for Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets is the fact that each tablet is about half an inch in length. This can make it difficult to take a dosage if you’re without water. Also, this type of Benadryl is only ideal for sudden allergic reactions such as when eating food you’re not supposed to. Chronic types of allergies that occur at specific points in the day may not be aptly resolved by this drug.
Finally, while Benadryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets does work wonders when it comes to the previously mentioned symptoms, it can’t resolve rashes and hives. It can reduce swelling however, which often happens when an allergen makes direct contact with any part of your body.
5. Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets
Relieving symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itching, Zyrtec has also become a popular brand in the antihistamine market. Many people rely on this drug to help resolve both sudden and chronic types of allergic reactions.
Although it is rather effective for some users, there are others who experience adverse reactions to the formulation of Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets. Some people complain that while it does get rid of allergy symptoms, Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets can also cause edema around the feet and ankles in some individuals.
When taking Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets, be sure to check the labels and read all the available information. If adverse reactions develop, cease use and see your doctor immediately. Finally, there are also numerous opportunistic sellers online that try to peddle fake Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets as the genuine product. Do your research and ask all the necessary questions to find out whether or not this is the product for you before using it to resolve allergies.