The Best OTC Allergy Medicines of 2023, Tested by Allergy Sufferers

Best Overall

Allegra Adult Non-Drowsy Antihistamine Tablets

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Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief is our top pick because it relieves symptoms in just one hour. It’s strong enough to tackle a runny nose, sneezing, and an itchy throat or eyes, and it works for both indoor and outdoor allergies. One of our editors, who suffers from severe allergies, describes it as very effective and says it makes her feel "almost human again."

Another great feature about the Allegra Adult 24-Hour is that it keeps your allergies at bay for an entire day. It also won’t make you drowsy, thanks to its active ingredient, fexofenadine HCl (which stands for hydrochloride, a salt used to make many different medicines). It should also last you more than two months, since this package comes with 70 pills.

When taking this antihistamine, you’ll find that the pills are on the larger side and may be difficult to swallow. When doing so, it’s important that you take it with water and not juice—specifically, apple juice—because it will decrease the effectiveness of fexofenadine due to a compound interaction.And as long as your kiddo is at least 12 years old, they can safely take this medication.

Price at time of publication: $26

^{Key Specs:
Form:Tablets |Active Ingredients:Fexofenadine HCl|Age Recommendation:12 years and up}

对K最好ids

Zyrtec 24 Hr Children’s Allergy Syrup

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Most medications that relieve a runny nose aren't recommended for little kids, but Zyrtec 24-Hour Children's Allergy Syrup is safe for kids as young as 2 years old. According to one of our editors, this allergy medication is consistently great at relieving her 3-year-old's allergies and he experiences no side effects.

Although it's a non-drowsy formula, Zyrtec Children's can make some kids feel sleepy.If this happens to your child, we recommend giving it to them before bedtime. No matter when they take it, Zyrtec will quickly relieve their runny nose, sneezing, and itchy throat or eyes. Its yummy grape flavor is both dye- and sugar-free.

As an alternative, older kids (6 years and up) can tryZyrtec Children's 24 HR Dissolving Allergy Relief Tablets, which have a citrus flavor and dissolve under the tongue. This formula contains 10 mg of cetirizine HCl, while the syrup formula only contains 2.5 mg of the active ingredient per dose for younger kids.

Price at time of publication: $8

^{Key Specs:
Form:Syrup |Active Ingredients:Cetirizine HCl|Age Recommendation:2 years and up (syrup), 6 years and up (tablet)}

对K最好ids Runner Up

Claritin Children's Claritin Chewables 24-Hour Allergy Relief

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When testing Children's Claritin Chewables, we found it very effective in keeping allergies in check for kids who reportedly suffered from severe allergies. Its active ingredient, loratadine, is a non-drowsy antihistamine that relieves a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy throat or eyes caused by more than 200 different indoor and outdoor allergens, including dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander.

Children's Claritin provides allergy relief for up to 24 hours, which is especially helpful for those who put up a fight when it comes to taking medicine. Our editor's young child, who used to require a drink and snack when taking antihistamines, has no issues with the bubblegum or grape flavor and happily takes these chewables on his way to school.

It's important to note that these pink and purple chewables contain a few controversial ingredients. The first is artificial dyes, which some families prefer to avoid. The second is aspartame, which is a commonly used sugar substitute and is found in products like sugar-free soda. In July 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (a research department of the World Health Organization) classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic, which means it can cause cancer in humans.However, the amount of aspartame in Claritin is considered safe and well below the current acceptable daily intake established by the FDA.

Price at time of publication: $29

^{Key Specs:
Form:Chewables |Active Ingredients:Loratadine|Age Recommendation:2 years and up}

Best Prescription-Strength

Zyrtec 24-Hour Allergy Relief Tablets

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Zyrtec 24-Hour Allergy Relief Tablets are a favorite among allergy sufferers—and for good reason. Since 2008, it’s been available without a prescription and is safe for kids (age 6 and up) and adults alike. Best of all, it can start working in as little as 20 minutes after your first dose and lasts up to 24 hours.

One reason why Zyrtec works so well is that its active ingredient, cetirizine HCl, is highly effective in reducing inflammatory cells in those who have allergic rhinitis (hay fever). In doing so, Zyrtec helps curb an inflammatory response in the nasal passages, which helps prevent nasal allergy symptoms and even sinusitis.

When we put Zyrtec to the test, we found that we could spend hours outside without any allergy symptoms. Although we didn’t experience a single side effect, the manufacturer says that about 14% of people feel sleepy after taking it (despite it being a non-drowsy medication).We recommend taking Zyrtec before bedtime until you’re sure it won’t make you drowsy.

Price at time of publication: $22

^{Key Specs:
Form:Tablets |Active Ingredients:Cetirizine HCl|Age Recommendation:6 years and up}

Best Eye Drops

博士伦& Lomb Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops

5

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Our Ratings

• Performance
  5 /5
• Application
  5 /5

As a contact lens wearer, one of our editors struggled to find relief for her itchy, dry eyes. The Opcon-A drops were reportedly “life-changing” for her as they completely removed any form of irritation from her eyes. Her partner also tested these drops and shared that they helped reduce redness throughout the day.

When testing these eye drops, we found they were easy to administer and didn’t drip down our face. We like that they address itchiness and redness, whereas other drops tend to relieve one or the other. If you wear contacts, just be sure to remove your lenses before applying these drops.

One thing to note about these drops is that they can cause a tingling sensation in your eyes. However, this is a temporary side effect and should disappear after your eye fully absorbs the drops. When needed, they can be administered up to four times per day and are even safe for kids ages 6 years and older.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
Form:滴|Active Ingredients:Naphazoline HCl (0.02675%), Pheniramine maleate (0.315%)|Age Recommendation:6 years and up}

Best Non-Drowsy

Claritin 24-Hour Allergy Reditabs

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The last thing you want when suffering from allergies is to also feel drowsy. Claritin 24-Hour Allergy Medicine is a non-drowsy antihistamine that relieves allergy symptoms caused by more than 200 different allergens, including pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and mold. It works equally well on both indoor and outdoor allergens, and its effects can last up to 24 hours.

The downside to Claritin is that it can take up to three hours before it starts working. Also, it contains cornstarch, which could be problematic if you or your child is allergic to corn. However, the tablets themselves are small and easy to swallow, and you can even opt for theClaritin RediTabs, which melt in your mouth.

After trying Claritin, we recommend it for those with mild allergies. We think Claritin is a good option if you need a non-drowsy antihistamine that will relieve both your indoor and outdoor allergies.

Price at time of publication: $30

^{Key Specs:
Form:Tablets |Active Ingredients:Loratadine|Age Recommendation:6 years and up}

Best Nasal Spray

Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray

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If nasal congestion is your biggest woe, we recommend Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray. In addition to reducing congestion, it also relieves and prevents itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and an itchy, runny nose. Best of all, it works for up to 24 hours, which means your symptoms will be kept at bay while you sleep, too.

当谈到Flonase、一致性是关键to success. Although you likely won't have immediate relief, you'll start to notice your symptoms disappear around 12 hours after your first dose, with full effectiveness after 3-4 days of regular use. After that, your symptoms should be well controlled as long as you stick to this daily regimen.

重要的是要知道Flonase不是recommended for more than six months of use (or two months for children ages 2-11 years). However, this shouldn't be an issue as long as you only plan to use it during allergy season. Three of our editors experienced significant relief from sinus congestion after using Flonase, reporting that it opened their nasal passages and helped them breathe better.

Price at time of publication: $40 (pack of two)

^{Key Specs:
Form:Spray |Active Ingredients:Fluticasone propionate|Age Recommendation:4 years and up}

Best All-Day Relief

GoodSense All Day Allergy

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One of the best parts about GoodSense All-Day Allergy is that it relies on the same active ingredient (cetirizine HCl) as Zyrtec at just a fraction of the price. For just $16, you can buy an entire year’s worth of this antihistamine, making it a far better value than other major brands.

In addition to indoor and outdoor allergies, Cetirizine HCl is also used to treat eczema, conjunctivitis, hives, insect bites, and food allergies.It’s safe for kids as young as 6 years old and its effects can last up to 24 hours. However, GoodSense All-Day Allergy contains cornstarch and artificial dyes, which may be a dealbreaker if you’re trying to avoid those ingredients.

While it’s typically referred to as a non-drowsy antihistamine, some people (about 14%) find that Cetirizine HCl makes them tired. That said, we recommend taking GoodSense All-Day Allergy before bedtime until you’re sure it won’t affect you.

Price at time of publication: $16

^{Key Specs:
Form:Tablets |Active Ingredients:Cetirizine HCl|Age Recommendation:6 years and up}

Best Natural

Genexa Allergy Care

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Genexa Allergy Care is proof that you can get relief from your allergy symptoms without artificial sweeteners, dyes, or flavors. We love that these chewable tablets are flavored with organic açaí berry and made without preservatives, parabens, or common allergens. To top it off, Genexa Allergy Care is certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten- and lactose-free. However, you should avoid it if you’re allergic to corn since its organic maltodextrin is derived from corn.

Genexa’s non-drowsy homeopathic blend is safe for kids as young as 3 years old. It addresses symptoms like sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itchy throat and eyes, and is meant to be taken every 6-8 hours while symptoms are present. However, these claims are based on traditional homeopathic evidence and have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Price at time of publication: $19

^{Key Specs:
Form:Chewables |Active Ingredients:Homeopathic blend |Age Recommendation:3 years and up}

Best for Nighttime

Benadryl Ultratabs Antihistamine Allergy Relief Tablets

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If you’re looking for an antihistamine that will relieve your symptoms so you can sleep, we recommend Benadryl Ultratabs. This OTC medication starts working in as little as 15 minutes, relieving itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy throat and nose, and sneezing. According to one of our editors, it is very effective at relieving her allergies, and she calls it an “absolute necessity for emergencies.”

Thanks to its small oval shape and special coating, Benadryl tablets are easy to swallow. However, these tablets do contain artificial dyes, which some families prefer to avoid.

While it’s important to eliminate your allergy symptoms so you can get a good night’s sleep, you probably won’t want to take Benadryl during the day. That’s because Benadryl contains diphenhydramine HCl, a first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier. As a result, Benadryl can cause drowsiness, sedation, and fatigue, which may impair alertness, Dr. Bassett tells Verywell Family.In turn, this antihistamine may “affect important functions,” such as “learning and test performance in children” and “operation of machinery and cars in adults.”

Price at time of publication: $19

^{Key Specs:
Form:Tablets |Active Ingredients:Diphenhydramine HCl |Age Recommendation:6 years and up}

Best for Pet Allergies

Xyzal Allergy Tablet

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Your pet is part of your family, so the last thing you want is to be allergic to them. Thankfully, Xyzal Allergy Tablets provide 24-hour relief from sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes caused by animal dander. It works just as well on both indoor and outdoor allergies and can even treat hives, including itchy skin and rashes.

Our editor shared that her allergies are so severe that some days she can’t even leave the house. But after taking Xyzal, she said she felt “almost human” again. Although it made her drowsy (which happens in about 6% of users), she would still recommend it to other allergy sufferers.

One thing to note about Xyzal is that it’s not recommended for those over the age of 65. This is because they are more susceptible to feeling drowsy after taking it, which puts them at a greater risk of falling. In general, Xyzal is safe for adults and children ages 12-64, and there’s aChildren’s Xyzalavailable for 2 years and up.

Price at time of publication: $38

^{Key Specs:
Form:Tablets |Active Ingredients:Levocetirizine |Age Recommendation:12-64 years}