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Compare Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) and Claritin (loratadine) are both over-the-counter medications used to treat allergy symptoms, but they work in different ways and come in different forms. Nasacort is a corticosteroid nasal spray that reduces inflammation in your nose to relieve symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It's used once daily and can take up to a week to show full effects. On the other hand, Claritin is an antihistamine taken by mouth, available in a variety of forms such as tablets, chewable tablets, and oral solutions. It works by blocking histamine, a chemical in your body that causes allergy symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose, and typically starts working within 1 to 3 hours. But it can take 8 to 12 hours to see the full benefits of Claritin. Nasacort is less likely to cause drowsiness, while Claritin is considered non-drowsy but can still make you sleepy in some cases. Nasacort and Claritin are not recommended for children under 2 years old. Both medications have generic versions available.

  • Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide)
    Loratadine (Claritin)
  • Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide)
    Loratadine (Claritin)

  • Summary of Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

    Summary for Corticosteroid

    Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) is a nasal spray for adults and children 2 years of age and older that helps relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergies, including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It's used once daily and typically lasts for 24 hours. Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) doesn't have many side effects, but you might have a temporary sore throat or cough after you use it. Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) is available over the counter as a brand-name and generic medication.

    Summary for Antihistamine

    Loratadine (Claritin) is an over-the-counter antihistamine. It's used to ease allergy symptoms, such as runny nose or watery eyes, in adults and children. Loratadine (Claritin) is taken by mouth, typically once daily. It's available in different formulations, such as tablets and oral solution. Loratadine (Claritin) is considered a non-drowsy medication because it's less likely to cause sleepiness than some other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Other side effects of this medication include headache and tiredness.

  • Indications of Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

    Indications for
    •Hay fever and allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose)
    Indications for
    •Short-term relief of allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose, itchy or watery eyes)

  • Pros and Cons of Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

    Pros and Const for Corticosteroid
    Pros
    •Available as a generic, over-the-counter product
    •Used once daily and can last up to 24 hours
    •Not likely to make you sleepy
    •Small, portable spray that's easy to carry and use anywhere
    Cons
    •Might take up to 1 week for some symptoms to get better
    •Might not be a good option if you have an injured nose or recently had nasal surgery
    •Might slow down the growth rate in children if used for longer than 2 months per year
    •Not meant to be used to relieve common cold symptoms
    Pros and Const for Antihistamine
    Pros
    •First-choice option for allergies
    •Appears to cause less sleepiness than diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
    •Oral liquids and certain chewable tablets can be taken by children as young as 2 years old
    Cons
    •Might not work as well in younger children compared to cetirizine (Zyrtec)
    •Might have a higher risk of side effects if you have liver or kidney problems
    •Tablets, capsules, and orally disintegrating tablets can't be used in children younger than 6 years.

  • Common Side Effects of Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults and children 12 years or older:

    •Sore throat (5%)
    •Nose bleed (3%)
    •Cough (2%)

    Children ages 4 to 12 years:

    •Flu-like symptoms (9%)
    •Cough (8%)
    •Sore throat (8%)
    •Bronchitis (3%)
    •Indigestion (3%)
    •Tooth problems (3%)

    Children ages 2 to 5 years:

    •Headache (6%)
    •Sore throat (6%)
    •Nose bleed (5%)
    •Common cold symptoms (5%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)
    •Diarrhea (3%)
    •Asthma (3%)
    •Rash (3%)
    •Skin picking problem (3%)
    •Runny nose (2%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (12%)
    •Sleepiness (8%)
    •Fatigue (4%)
    •Dry mouth (3%)

  • Warnings of Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nasal problems
    •Eye problems
    •Higher risk of infections
    •Slowed growth rate in children
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Accidentally taking too much medication
    •Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU)

  • Prices with our coupons for Nasacort Allergy vs. Claritin

    Learn more about Nasacort
    Learn more about Loratadine

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