Consumer Reports gives their recommendation on antihistamines

“All are low-cost generics available without a prescription in drug and food stores. All are as effective and safe as the three prescription-only antihistamines [fexofenadine (Allegra), desloratadine (Clarinex) and cetirizine (Zyrtec)] at comparable doses. All contain loratadine, the active ingredient in the nonprescription drug Claritin (until 2002 a best- selling prescription drug).”

I often see patients who claim that Claritin “doesn’t work as well as Allegra/Zyrtec”. I wonder about the so-called “OTC bias” where some claim that OTC medications don’t work as well. It would be interesting to see which antihistamines people prefer in Canada, where Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec are all available without a prescription.