Is zyrtec or benadryl better for an allergic reaction?

Allergies are the bane of existence for many people, with symptoms like itching, sneezing, hives and blocked nose dampening their daily life. And in times of severe allergic reactions, having an effective medication to combat those symptoms is crucial. But what if you’re confused between two popular drugs- Zyrtec and Benadryl? Which one should you take? In this article, we will engage in a fierce battle of wits as we pit these two medicines against each other to determine which one reigns supreme.

Round 1 : What Are They?

Let’s start with some basic information about our contenders:

BENADRYL

BENADRYL (also known by its generic name diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter antihistamine that helps alleviate common allergy symptoms such as itchy throat or watery eyes. It has been around since 1946 and was first used to treat allergies (fun fact!).

Some things you need to know about Benadryl:
– Works within thirty minutes -one hour
– Lasts from 4-six hours
– Available in different forms including tablets(generic), capsules(for children aged twelve years old or above), liquid suspension(children).

Sounds impressive right? Well hold on tight folks because let’s see how Zyrtec stacks up.

ZYRTEC

Next up on the chopping block is Zyrtec also known as cetirizine hydrochloride. Also an over-the-counter anti-allergy medicine but it works differently than benadryl and usually does not cause drowsiness.

Here’s everything else you need to know:
– Starts working within twenty minutes
– Effect lasts twenty-four hours
– Has more “upscale” branding compared to the plain jane benadryl.

Round 2: Who can take them?

Surely, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Before ingesting any medication, it is crucial to think about whether the drug suits your age and health status.

BENADRYL

BENADRYL can be used by people of all ages over six years old. It’s often used as an OTC treatment for mild symptoms like rash or hives. However, caution should be exercised when using Benadryl because its side effects include dizziness and sedation which could interfere with their work schedule if they doze off on the job!

ZYRTEC

ZYRTEC, like Benadryl, is available to everyone above six years old but has significant restrictions for pregnant women due to possible adverse fetal effects.

So unless you want to spawn an alien in your nether regions (too harsh?, lets settle on ‘bad idea’) better stay away from zyrtec while expecting- stick with the tried and true benadryl instead.

Round 3: What Are The Side Effects?

While medications may help alleviate symptoms brought about by allergies, they often come with side-effects that are worth (or not) taking note of before deciding between drugs:

### BENADRYL

Benadryl is notoriously known for having sedative properties (for those who love falling asleep anywhere) so it may cause drowsiness more severely than other medicines. But worry not because there are some dry mouth remedies out there! These discomforts usually go away within two-three hours of taking it though so just wait a bit; no biggie right? Additionally, if taken in doses higher than recommended(which law breaker does this anyways?) urinary retention will occur causing trouble “letting go” therefore drink water regularly when under medication.

In summary, use of Benadryl can cause the following side effects:
– Drowsiness; sedative properties
– Dry mouth
– Urinary retention if abused (but don’t worry, it’s not addicting!)

ZYRTEC

Like benadryl, zyrtec also causes some common adverse effects, but usually less dramatic than its rival. The most common symptoms include dry mouth and dizziness.

But wait there’s more! Reports say that even kids suffered from headache after taking a medication like zyrtec.
(Why? Are Zyrtec and ice cream involved in the same machinery somehow?)

Here are all other possible impact brought about by this drug

-Zyrtec side-effects may include:
– Headaches
– Abdominal Pain
-Dizziness/drowsiness
Dry eyes/Mouth

Round 4: When is Either Medication Useful?

Now that we’ve gained some knowledge on what these drugs do to our bodies let’s investigate situations when they should be used:

## BENADRYL

If you have been advised to avoid contact with pollen or any form of irritant before going inside your wheezing lungs kick in then better takes an antihistamine such as Benadryl at once. Doctors recommend using it for severe allergic reactions because no one wants their throat to close up due to anaphylaxsis right?(Unless someone likes playing with death..)

Benadryl can also reduce the chances of rashes spreading because…wait for it …that’s what antihistamines do!

### ZYRTEC

when suffering from runny noses or sinus congestion often indicative allergies choose cetirizine hydrochloride –Zyrtec here is known for particularly good controlling those pesky allergy symptoms.

So whether your bad day was caused by mild allergies blowing itself into proportion or a more severe reaction, one of these two drugs should fit the bill.

## Round 5: Which is Cheaper?

And here we go…the deal breaker – how much do they cost?

BENADRYL

This over-the-counter medication can be found in almost any pharmacy and usually costs about $3.50 to $8 depending on your location and store branding you better believe it’s an affordable alternative considering most insurances don’t cover OTC pills anyways (sigh!)

### ZYRTEC

As for Zyrtec,marketing campaigns suggest– “it’s worth a little extra”. (We’ll let you decide).It’s been intended as elegance with its packaging but expect an unsurprisingly fancier price ranging from about $11-$25 per box.This turns out to be quite pricey compared to benadryl which leaves only a tad bit difference between It’s generic version.

Bearing all financial aspects mentioned above there are almost negligible price differences paying attention towards drug effectiveness becomes even more crucial.

Final Word; Who Wins This Battle?

After this intense five round face off who comes up victorious Benadryl or Zyrtec? Well…The truth is that it depends- YOUR choice basically boils down to what bothers you the least: saggy eyes or dry mouth 

Benadryl will knock you into dreamland and provide quick relief however though effective maybe too sedative.(perfect before bed time)

On The other hand Zyrtec provides extended allergy symptom control that says goodbye about twenty-four hours without tasting like cherry syrup!

So now that we’ve weighed up their benefits,you can make an informed decision based on whatever criterion works for YOU. But at the very end losing allergies forever may hopefully brings eternal happiness even outside the realm of medications hence keep calm during allergy season!