Loratadine Price: What You Pay and How It Compares to Other Antihistamines

When you need quick relief from sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose, loratadine, a non-drowsy antihistamine used to treat seasonal allergies and hives. Also known as Claritin, it's one of the most common over-the-counter allergy meds in the U.S. and abroad. But how much does it actually cost? And is it really the best deal compared to other options like cetirizine or fexofenadine?

Loratadine is a generic version of Claritin, which means it’s been off-patent for years. That’s why you’ll find it in nearly every pharmacy aisle for under $5 for a 30-day supply—sometimes even less at discount retailers or online pharmacies. But price isn’t the only thing that matters. People often switch between antihistamines based on how well they work, how long the effect lasts, and whether they cause drowsiness. For example, cetirizine, another popular non-prescription antihistamine might work faster for some, but it’s more likely to make you sleepy. fexofenadine, the active ingredient in Allegra tends to be pricier but causes almost no drowsiness at all. So if you’re comparing loratadine price to alternatives, you’re really weighing cost against performance.

What’s interesting is that many people don’t realize loratadine is available in multiple forms—tablets, liquid, dissolving strips—each with slightly different pricing. The generic tablet version is almost always the cheapest. Brand-name Claritin can cost three to five times more, even though it’s chemically identical. Some pharmacies offer loyalty programs or coupons that bring the price down even further. And if you’re buying online, you’ll often find bulk packs that cut the cost per pill in half.

But here’s the thing: price doesn’t always mean value. If loratadine doesn’t control your symptoms well, you’ll end up buying more of it—or switching to something else anyway. That’s why many users compare it with other antihistamines like ketotifen, a less common but potent option often used for chronic allergies and asthma, or even older drugs like diphenhydramine, which is dirt cheap but makes you sleepy. The posts below give you real comparisons: side effects, how long each lasts, and what people actually pay out of pocket. You’ll see who benefits most from loratadine, who should try something else, and why some people swear by one over the other—even when the labels look the same.