Article: ALLERGY DRUGS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?(evaluation of Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra)

The relentless promotion of Claritin has paid off for its manufacturer, the Schering-Plough Corporation; it is now the most frequently prescribed allergy medication in the U.S. But Claritin is no more effective than other antihistamines on the market. (For Food and Drug Administration approval, a new drug need only be proven better than a placebo, or dummy pill.) Even Claritin's highly touted non-sedating properties have been overestimated. The drug is sold in 10-milligram capsules, a dosage that isn't effective for most people. Once the dose is raised to an effective level, the non-sedating effect is canceled.

Zyrtec, another popular allergy drug, is sedating ...

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