Claritin Or Zyrtec? Health Digest Survey Finds People's Preferred Allergy Medication

Over 50 million people in America suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. These allergies can include food allergies; allergies to airborne particles like pollen, mold spores, pet dander, or dust mites; allergic reactions to plants like poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac; drug allergies; latex allergies; and allergic reactions to insect stings.

While allergy symptoms can vary depending on the allergen and person, many allergy medications function in a similar way — they block histamines. Histamines are chemical compounds that are released by the body during an allergic reaction, points out Mayo Clinic. Allergy medications work by using antihistamines (and sometimes other medicines) to hinder histamines and relieve any allergy symptoms.

When it comes to over-the-counter allergy medications, there are several options to choose from. Take a stroll down the drugstore aisle and you'll find liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays, and pills to help with allergies. But the options for allergy medications don't stop there, as stores also offer several different over-the-counter brands. So if you've ever found yourself debating between Claritin or Zyrtec, you have lots of company. Since there are various over-the-counter allergy medication brands, Health Digest conducted a survey to investigate which are the most popular among our readers.

In a survey of 610 people, Health Digest asked our readers what is their preferred over-the-counter allergy medication. Out of six choices, the number one response was Claritin. More than 200 readers preferred this choice, which made up 34.92% of the total votes. Claritin is an antihistamine that temporarily alleviates symptoms (i.e. sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itchy throat, eyes, or nose) caused by indoor and outdoor allergies. The second-most popular answer was Zyrtec, totaling 24.75% of readers' votes. Zyrtec is also an antihistamine that works to relieve the following allergy symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes, throat, and nose.

Nearly 22% of voters picked Allegra as their preferred over-the-counter allergy medicine. Allegra is another oral antihistamine that comes in a variety of different products offering support for reducing hives, nasal congestion, and sinus pressure. The fourth-most popular medication was Flonase, with 8.52% of votes. According to the Flonase website, this medication provides quick relief for sinus pressure, nasal and sinus congestion, minor aches, headaches, and more. 

In the end, the less popular allergy medications were Xyzal, which had 8.2% of votes, followed by Nasonex, which made up less than 2% of votes. While there are many different types of allergy medications, it's always best to talk with your healthcare provider to help you discover which option is best for you.