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Compare Nasonex vs. Claritin

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

Key takeaways

Nasonex (mometasone) and Claritin (loratadine) are both used to treat allergy symptoms, but they work in different ways and come in different forms. Nasonex is a corticosteroid nasal spray that reduces inflammation in your nose, while Claritin is an oral antihistamine that blocks histamine to relieve symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes. Nasonex can be used for both short-term and long-term relief, including for nasal polyps, and is available both over-the-counter and by prescription. Claritin, on the other hand, is only available over-the-counter and is typically used for short-term relief of allergy symptoms. Nasonex may take 1 to 2 weeks to show full effects, whereas Claritin usually starts working within 1 to 3 hours. Common side effects of Nasonex include headaches and nosebleeds, while Claritin may cause headaches and drowsiness. Additionally, Nasonex is not known to cause drowsiness, unlike Claritin, which can make you sleepy, though less so than older antihistamines like Benadryl.

  • Mometasone nasal spray
    Loratadine (Claritin)
  • Mometasone nasal spray
    Loratadine (Claritin)

  • Summary of Nasonex vs. Claritin

    Summary for Corticosteroid

    Mometasone nasal spray is used to prevent the nose symptoms of seasonal allergies, as well as to treat nose and sinus inflammation in adults with nasal polyps. Some side effects this medication can cause include headache and bloody nose. Mometasone nasal spray is available both with a prescription and over the counter (OTC).

    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 Nasonex vs. Claritin

    Indications for
    •Temporary relief of allergy symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose) (OTC only)
    •Prevention of seasonal allergies (prescription only)
    •Treatment of long-term nose and sinus inflammation with nasal polyps (prescription only)
    Indications for
    •Short-term relief of allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose, itchy or watery eyes)

  • Pros and Cons of Nasonex vs. Claritin

    Pros and Const for Corticosteroid
    Pros
    •Works well to prevent and treat allergy symptoms
    •Available OTC
    •Can be used to help control allergy symptoms in children 2 years or older (OTC only)
    •Available as a lower-cost generic with a prescription
    Cons
    •Can take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to see the full effects
    •Doesn't have a counter on the spray bottle, so it can be hard to remember how many sprays are left
    •Can cause side effects like headache and nose bleeds in some people
    •Unknown if safe while pregnant or breastfeeding
    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 Nasonex vs. Claritin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (26%)
    •Viral infection (14%)
    •Sore throat (12%)
    •Bloody nose or mucus (11%)
    •Coughing (7%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (i.e., common cold; 6%)
    •Period cramps (5%)
    •Muscle pain (5%)
    •Congestion, pressure near the nose or forehead, and other symptoms of sinus infection (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (12%)
    •Sleepiness (8%)
    •Fatigue (4%)
    •Dry mouth (3%)

  • Warnings of Nasonex vs. Claritin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nose injury and slowed wound healing
    •Fungal infection in the nose and throat
    •Vision changes
    •Risk of infection
    •Hormone changes
    •Poor growth in children
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Accidentally taking too much medication
    •Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU)

  • Prices with our coupons for Nasonex vs. Claritin

    Learn more about Mometasone nasal spray
    Learn more about Loratadine

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