Antihistamines

Does anyone know the differences between an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benedryl) and loratadine (Claritin)?  I know that the Claritin won't cause drowsiness, but is there a difference in effectiveness?  I developed an allergic reaction to an antibiotic that I need to continue to take, and was wondering which may be more effective for something like that.  I don't develop any rashes from it, but I start to itch all over and runny nose/tingling throat after half of it's infused IV.

I'm not sure what the difference is in either medications but I believe that it has something to do with the fact that Benedryl stops the histamine reaction all thru out the body while Claritin is mostly an allergic histamine reaction preventer - mainly used for seasonal allergies. Both are great antihistamines but I believe that Benedryl is better then Claritin for hives or body wide histamine reactions.

But that is a very good question and honestly I never really gave it much thought. Hmmm something to ask my doc about! :) Is there another antibiotic you can use to avoid this problem?

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My doctor put me on a much lower dosage in combination with another, so hopefully I won't get a bad reaction. She said if I can't handle it, then she'll have to find another. It's a cephalasporin, so it's one of the best in crossing the blood-brain barrier for infections that cause neurological problems like me. I just bought Claritin, so maybe I should stick with the Benedryl generic instead of what you say is correct in terms of stopping it all throughout the body. I didn't notice a difference before when I tried both before, but I even got itching in weird places. Thanks.