Zyrtec vs Benadryl: Difference and Comparison

Some people get viral and infections easily. These may not be lethal for health in general, but they surely can be very irritating for daily activities.

And nowadays, these viral are traveling is a high speed. In some cases, if not treated properly at the right time, they can be pretty serious in the future.

And to treat them does not always require seeing a doctor. Sometimes they can also be treated at home by taking medicines.

These medicines can be found easily at any medical store. Examples of such medicines are Zyrtec and Benadryl.

Both of them serve a similar purpose; therefore, it is important to understand the difference between using them whenever they are required.

Key Takeaways

1. Zyrtec is a second-generation antihistamine, while Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine, causing less drowsiness and fewer side effects.
2. Zyrtec provides longer-lasting relief from allergy symptoms than Benadryl, which requires more frequent dosing.
3. Benadryl works faster to alleviate symptoms but is less effective for treating long-term or chronic allergies than Zyrtec.

Zyrtec vs Benadryl

Zyrtec is a medicine used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. It is used to treat hay fever and other respiratory allergies caused by pollen. Benadryl is a medicine used to relieve symptoms of allergies. It is also used as a sleep aid.

Zyrtec is a medicine taken for problems such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, etc., in simple terms, and they are used for treating the common cold, headache, pain in the body, and chronic urticaria (hives).

This medicine can be highly allergic to some people. And some people should take proper precautions while or before taking this medicine. These can be taken for months, and the dosage varies based on their age.

Benadryl is a liquid medicine or cough syrup used mainly for a single or sole purpose of treating the cough. But in some cases, it may also be used for treating skin rash, itchiness, allergic symptoms, etc.

These medicines should not be overdosed, as they can lead to oversleeping and other serious problems. And in case of any symptoms of overdosing doctor should be consulted.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Zyrtec	Benadryl
Generic Name	Cetirizine hydrochloride	Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Allergic	More	Comparatively less
Generation antihistamine	Second	First
Side effects	Fewer	More
Nausea	Yes	No

What is Zyrtec?

It is used for reducing the effects of the natural chemical histamine. Before using this medicine, the doctor should be consulted as some of its ingredients can be allergic by many people.

It can also cause hallucinations and thinking problems. All pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid this medication.

Precautions that should be taken before taking this medicine:

• People allergic to cetirizine or levocetirizine should avoid this medicine.
• People with some serious medical condition should also consult a doctor before.

How to take this medicine:

• It should be taken by the month.
• It should be taken as prescribed on the label.
• Older people should take advice from doctors before or lower the dose.
• It can be taken with or without food.
• The tablet should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth and not be swallowed as a whole. The help of water or some liquid can also be taken to help the dissolving process.

In case you skip the dose, immediately the next dose should be taken as soon as the realization is made, but overdose should be avoided at any cost, and following are some symptoms of overdose:

• Vision Problems.
• Feeling Restless.
• Agitation.
• Stomach Pain.
• Trouble Walking.

Other than these, an immediate professional should be taken if some different or unusual symptoms are noticed.

What is Benadryl?

It is syrup used for curing the cough. It can be taken with or without intaking food before. The dosage of this syrup depends upon the condition.

And it should be taken either till the problem is cured or till the doctor has suggested it. Stopping earlier might cause the problem to come back.

Some misuse this medicine to make the child or baby sleep, which is not right. Performing heavy activities should be avoided after consuming the syrup.

Alcohol consumption should also be avoided while taking Benadryl.

The doctor should be consulted if the consumer is having or suffering from any of the following conditions:

• Blockage in the stomach or intestine.
• Urination problem.
• Any kidney or liver-related disease.
• Any breathing diseases, for example, asthma.
• Heart diseases.
• And during pregnancy.

In case of overdosing immediately, a professional should be consulted. And side effects of it can be:

• Difficulty in the urination process.
• Dizziness.
• Unknown movements of the tongue.
• Constipation.
• Or any other different symptoms.

Main Differences Between Zyrtec and Benadryl

1. The major difference between both Zyrtec and Benadryl is that they are different generations of antihistamines; Zyrtec is the second-generation antihistamine, whereas Benadryl is the first-generation antihistamine.
2. Both of them have different generic names. The generic name of Zyrtec is Cetirizine Hydrochloride, whereas Benadryl is Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride.
3. Although both of them can be allergic to people, if compared, Zyrtec is more allergic to people, it may be due to its components, etc., whereas Benadryl is relatively less allergic.
4. Despite being more allergic, Zyrtec has fewer side effects to people, for example, Vision Problems, feeling restless, etc. In contrast, Benadryl has more side effects, as it can cause excess and immediate sleep, unknown movement of the tongue, constant dizziness, etc. a person may be able to perform heavy activities after consuming Zyrtec. Still, he won’t be able to do it after consuming Benadryl.
5. They have several similar symptoms and side effects, but one side effect of Zyrtec is absent in Benadryl Nausea. A person might feel nausea or feeling of vomiting, but this side effect is not seen after consuming Benadryl.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674900795546
2. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001267/abstract
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674911014084
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-200565030-00004
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1081120610615669

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023