Allegra 120 vs Cetirizine: Which Allergy Tablet Is Right for You?

AAllegra 120 (Sanofi, ₹110/strip of 10) = Fexofenadine 120mg. Non-drowsy second-gen antihistamine. Once daily. Cetirizine (Cetzine, Alerid, Incid ₹15-25/strip) = Cetirizine 10mg. Mildly drowsy. Once daily. Both block histamine for allergic rhinitis, hives, itch. Allegra wins for: non-drowsy daytime alertness. Cetirizine wins for: night dose that doubles as sleep aid, much cheaper. Both work on similar allergy symptoms. Third option: Levocetirizine (Xyzal, Levocet, ₹45/strip) — less drowsy than cetirizine, more potent half of it, moderate cost.

Cetirizine: 20% report drowsiness. Some Indians use it specifically to sleep (off-label). Levocetirizine: 5-10% drowsiness. Allegra (Fexofenadine): < 3% drowsiness — essentially non-sedating. Allegra is the clear choice if you: Drive long distances, operate machinery, student during exams, pilot, surgeon, interpreter. If you don't notice drowsiness on cetirizine: cetirizine's 1/5th cost wins. Test yourself: Take cetirizine at 10 PM one night, time how alert you are at 8 AM. If groggy: switch to Allegra. If fine: save money.

Allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes): Both similar, 70-80% relief. Chronic urticaria (hives): Both work; may need doubled dose off-label for severe hives. Mild asthma with allergic component: Adjunct to inhaler — either works. Insect bites, allergic rash: Quick relief from both. Pet allergy: Take before exposure. Food allergy: Neither alone is sufficient — avoid trigger + have adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) for severe.

Allegra 120mg once daily on empty stomach (30 min before food) OR 2 hours after food. Food (especially fruit juice like orange, apple, grapefruit) reduces absorption 30-40%. Do NOT take with fruit juice. Plain water only. Cetirizine 10mg once daily, preferably at bedtime. With or without food. Kids Allegra: 30mg syrup BD for 6 months-2 years; 60mg syrup BD for 2-11 years; 120mg tablet for 12+. Kids cetirizine: 2.5mg for 2-6 years, 5mg for 6-12 years, 10mg for 12+. Both once daily at bedtime.

Allegra: Headache (5%), dry mouth (3%), mild fatigue (not drowsiness), nausea (2%). Very well-tolerated. Rare: palpitations, insomnia at high doses. Cetirizine: Drowsiness (20%), dry mouth (10%), weight gain (mild, reported), constipation, headache. Less common: urinary retention in prostate issues. Long-term: Both safe for extended use; cetirizine's tolerance may build; levocet or fexofenadine rotation helps. Interactions: Antacids reduce Allegra absorption (2 hours apart). Erythromycin, ketoconazole: raise Allegra levels (usually OK).

Daytime allergic rhinitis (office, driving, students): Allegra 120 morning. Night-time allergies affecting sleep: Cetirizine 10mg bedtime (drowsy helps you sleep through stuffy nose). Heavy allergy season needing both day + night coverage: Combine — Allegra morning + Cetirizine night (NOT two of same class; this is different classes). Chronic daily urticaria: Allegra OD or BD (doctor may double dose); Levocet as alternative. Cost-sensitive with mild drowsiness tolerance: Cetirizine. Professional driver, surgeon, pilot: Allegra. Pregnancy: Both Category B-C; consult gynae; loratadine often preferred.