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Yes, both are antihistamines, but belong to different classes of substances. Since they are 2nd gen. antihistamines, they should both cause much less drowsiness (if at all) than their predecessors.

I was also very interested in their differences, since I have Allergies. What I found out from the literature is:

1) First and most important: Everybody reacts somewhat differently to medications so there is no general recommendation (you have to try them and see for yourself - don't worry, both are pretty safe medications).

2) It was shown in several studies [1, 2], that cetirizine was slightly more effective in the treatment of allergic rhinnitis.

3) It was shown in other studies [3, 4], that cetirizine is more likely to cause drowsiness than loratadine (cetirizine increased drowsiness in approx. 12% of patients, and still not even close to the sedating effects of 1st gen. antihistamines)

So, to sum it up: There seems to be evidence, that cetirizine is more effective than loratadine but also more likely to cause drowsiness (both at the same dosage of 10 mg daily).

But, all in all the differences seem to be very small [see also 5] - so as stated before: try it and see for yourself.

I am aware that this is not an extensive or even close to complete review of the available literature.

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10780795

[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10423657

[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10784544

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9066452

[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10335901

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Q: What are the differences between Cetirizine and Loratadine. I understand both are an antihistamine?
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