Zyrtec (cetirizine)
The label says "drowsiness may occur", and to avoid alcohol and be careful driving. Full label summary.
Claritin (loratadine)
The carton says "Non-Drowsy" when taken as directed. Taking more than directed may cause drowsiness. Full label summary.
Allegra (fexofenadine)
The label has no drowsiness warning. Full label summary.
Xyzal (levocetirizine)
The label says "drowsiness may occur" and to avoid alcohol. It is taken in the evening. Full label summary.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
The label warns "marked drowsiness may occur", and that excitability may occur, especially in children. Full label summary.
Flonase (fluticasone propionate)
The label has no drowsiness warning. Full label summary.
Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide)
The label has no drowsiness warning. Full label summary.
Tips
- Try a new allergy medicine on a day you don't need to drive, to see how it affects you.
- Alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers can add to drowsiness, as the Zyrtec and Xyzal labels warn.
- Benadryl's label warns of marked drowsiness and says not to use it to make a child sleepy.
- Neither Flonase's nor Nasacort's label carries a drowsiness warning.
Quick summary
| Medicine | What the label says about drowsiness |
|---|---|
| Zyrtec | May cause drowsiness |
| Claritin | Labeled non-drowsy |
| Allegra | No drowsiness warning |
| Xyzal | May cause drowsiness |
| Benadryl | Marked drowsiness |
| Flonase | No drowsiness warning |
| Nasacort | No drowsiness warning |
Still deciding? Use the allergy medicine finder and choose "Yes, during the day" when it asks whether you need to stay alert. These pages summarize labels and are not medical advice; a pharmacist can help with your own situation.
