Walk down any allergy aisle and you’ll meet three names again and again: cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine. All three are second-generation antihistamines — effective for a full 24 hours and far less sedating than older options. So how do you choose?

The quick comparison

Cetirizine tends to work the fastest and strongest for many people, but causes mild drowsiness in roughly 1 in 10 users. A good fit for evening dosing.

Loratadine is the gentlest on alertness and a solid everyday choice, though some users find it slightly less potent on high-pollen days.

Fexofenadine is truly non-sedating — the pick for pilots, drivers, and anyone who can’t afford drowsiness. Skip the orange juice, though: fruit juices can cut its absorption significantly.

Pharmacist tips

  • Give any new antihistamine a fair two-week trial before switching.
  • Consistency beats reaction: starting a few weeks before your worst season keeps symptoms from ramping up.
  • Pair with a drug-free saline spray to rinse pollen from nasal passages.

If over-the-counter options aren’t controlling your symptoms, talk to your doctor about next steps.