Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

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

  • Phenylephrine eye drops
    Loratadine (Claritin)
  • Phenylephrine eye drops
    Loratadine (Claritin)

  • Summary of Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

    Summary for Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist
    Prescription only

    Phenylephrine eye drops are used to dilate (widen) pupils for eye exams or certain eye procedures. Side effects include temporary burning or stinging in the eye, blurry vision, and possibly raise your blood pressure. Let your provider know if your pregnant or breastfeeding because you might need to use a different medication.

    Summary for Antihistamine

    Loratadine (Claritin) is an over-the-counter antihistamine for adults and kids. It helps relieve allergy symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. This allergy medication is taken by mouth, usually once a day. It comes as different formulations, including regular tablets, chewable tablets, and a liquid. Loratadine (Claritin) is a non-drowsy allergy medication because it's less likely to make you sleepy. Other side effects can include headache and feeling tired. Loratadine (Claritin) is available as a brand-name and generic.

  • Indications of Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

    Indications for
    •Dilate (widen) pupils
    Indications for
    •Short-term relief of allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose or throat, itchy or watery eyes)

  • Pros and Cons of Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

    Pros and Const for Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist
    Pros
    •Can be used in adults and children
    •Starts working quickly (within 15 minutes)
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Can cause eye pain and stinging
    •Dilating effects can last for up to 7 hours (or longer)
    •The 10% strength can raise blood pressure in people with certain heart or thyroid problems
    Pros and Const for Antihistamine
    Pros
    •First-choice option for allergies
    •Tends to cause less sleepiness than some other antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
    •Liquid form and some chewable tablets okay for children as young as 2 years old to take
    Cons
    •Can take 1 to 3 hours to start working
    •Regular tablets and quick-dissolving tablets not for children younger than 6
    •Might have a higher risk of side effects if you have liver or kidney problems

  • Common Side Effects of Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Temporary stinging or burning in your eye
    •Temporary blurry vision
    •Sensitivity to light
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (12%)
    •Sleepiness (8%)
    •Feeling tired (4%)
    •Dry mouth (3%)

  • Warnings of Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

    Common Side Effects for
    •For use in the eyes only
    •Heart problems
    •High blood pressure
    •Rebound pupil constriction
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Accidentally taking too much medication
    •Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - chewable tablets and orally disintegrating tablets

  • Prices with our coupons for Phenylephrine vs. Claritin

    Learn more about Phenylephrine eye drops
    Learn more about Loratadine

Compare other Pupil Dilation and Allergic Rhinitis drugs

Flonase vs PhenylephrineOxymetazoline vs PhenylephrinePhenylephrine vs Advil Allergy And Congestion ReliefPhenylephrine vs Advil Cold And SinusPhenylephrine vs Advil Congestion ReliefPhenylephrine vs Alka Seltzer Plus Night Cold And FluPhenylephrine vs AllegraPhenylephrine vs BenadrylPhenylephrine vs ClaritinPhenylephrine vs Dayquil Cold And FluPhenylephrine vs Dimetapp Cold And AllergyPhenylephrine vs Nasacort AqPhenylephrine vs NasonexPhenylephrine vs Nyquil Cold And FluPhenylephrine vs Rhinocort AquaPhenylephrine vs Tylenol SinusSudafed Pe Pressure Pain And Cough vs PhenylephrineSudafed vs PhenylephrineTheraflu Daytime Severe Cold And Cough vs PhenylephrineZyrtec D vs PhenylephrineAllegra vs ClaritinBenadryl vs ClaritinClaritin vs Claritin DClaritin vs DayquilClaritin vs FlonaseClaritin vs SudafedClaritin vs XyzalClaritin vs ZyrtecElestat vs ClaritinIbuprofen vs Claritin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.