Best Allergy Medicine for Ragweed

In my experience, the best allergy medicine for ragweed allergies is Claritin® (Loratadine). But, the best allergy medicine for your ragweed allergy symptoms may be different. Let me explain why this is my #1 choice, and what I thought about the other antihistamines on the market.

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Best Over-The-Counter Medicine for Ragweed

I have had ragweed allergies for over 30 years and have tried just about all the OTC antihistamines. The medication that I keep going back to, and currently take today is Claritin, and here is why.

Claritin

Source: Claritin.com

Claritin® (Loratadine) has not steered me wrong through the years and has been providing me with seasonal allergy relief for at least 16 years strong. The symptoms this medication has helped me out with the most are sneezing, itchy eyes, and hives.

What I like about Claritin:

  • Available OTC
  • No side effects (for me)
  • Non-drowsy
  • Eases my allergy symptoms
  • Lasts 24-hours

With daily use of the powerful tablets, you could finally have fast, 24-hour relief from those pesky allergies so you can get on with life without all the interruptions.

No more sneezing during meetings or itchy eyes keeping you up at night! Head over to Amazon and check it out.

prescription bottle with a yellow label for loratadine, known as Claritin®. Label says: take one tablet by mouth every day for allergy, quantity 90
AllergyPreventions.com

You may also be able to get it prescribed to you by your primary care manager and have your insurance cover it.

Runner-up Best Allergy Medicine for Ragweed

There can only be one “best” ragweed antihistamine, and in my personal opinion that is Claritin. These additional antihistamines might not be my number one choice, but they could very well be the ones that work best for you.

Zyrtec

Source: Zyrtec.com

Zyrtec® (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) is a super close “2nd place” to my Claritin pick. Off and on through the years, I will try a different allergy medication, and Zyrtec is always the one I retry first. Unfortunately, there are always these reasons I am unable to take Zyrtec long-term.

  • Gives me a headache
  • Constant dry mouth
  • Not as effective

I think it is important to note that if Claritin did not exist, I would take Zyrtec as my main ragweed antihistamine.

Zyrtec is close in price to Claritin and can also be found on Amazon.

Allegra

Source: Allegra.com

I have tried Allegra® (Fexofenadine) a few times throughout the years, and my results seemed to vary. I had Allegra prescribed to me and was on the medication for the fall allergy season.

When I first started taking Allegra I remember being nauseous with a loss of appetite for a few weeks.

My allergy symptom relief was good, and I do not recall being drowsy on it. After sharing my experience with my doctor, they ended up switching me to a different medication.

Benedryl

Source: Benadryl.com

My antihistamine journey began with Benedryl® (Diphenhydramine) when I was a child, mostly because no other antihistamines existed yet.

Benedryl is the “OG” of ragweed OTCs and is still a valid choice for allergies today.

I like Benedryl because it works really well, but its performance comes at a price. Drowsiness. In my experience, no matter how long you take the medication, you will get sleepy.

All of these antihistamines are in the “ragweed medication big leagues”, and are similar in performance. Talk with your doctor and discuss what the best treatment option is for you.

What is the best non-drowsy medicine for Ragweed?

In my experience, Claritin has been the best non-drowsy allergy medicine I have taken.

When is ragweed allergy season?

Ragweed allergy season typically occurs during late summer and early fall, specifically from August to October in many parts of North America. The exact ragweed allergy season varies depending on where you live.

How do antihistamines help with ragweed allergies?

Antihistamines are like superheroes that come to the rescue when ragweed allergies strike. They work by putting a stop to the effects of histamine, a troublemaking chemical released by our bodies during allergic reactions.

Are there any side effects associated with ragweed allergy medicine?

Common side effects of ragweed allergy medicine can include drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and nosebleeds. However, the specific side effects can vary depending on the medication.