Allergy season in the northeast is just about here, and in preparation I've been following my allergist's instructions to take Zyrtec daily. But I recently learned that there's a new contender in the over-the-counter allergy med market: Allegra. How is it different from Zyrtec and Claritin? (All three used to be available only by prescription but are now OTC.) I asked Dr. Allen Meadows, chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's public education committee, to weigh in. Here's what I learned:

â¢Allegra seems to have less side effects, says Dr. Meadows. Claritin and Zyrtec have the potential to make you sleepy (depending on the dose you're taking). Allegra is also less likely to dry you out than other antihistamines.

â¢Some head-to-head studies show that Zyrtec is more effective than Allegra or Claritin in relieving allergy symptoms. But other studies show that all three are about equal, says Dr. Meadows.

â¢If cost is a major concern, go with Claritin or Zyrtec, as Allegra is more expensive (at least for now) because it's new to the market. You can get generic Zyrtec (cetirizine) for as little as $15 a month if you buy it in bulk at a wholesale club, says Dr. Meadows.

What allergy remedies work best for you?

—Barbara Brody, Health Editor

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