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Frequently Asked Questions

General

Allergies kick in when your immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances called allergens. Your body releases many chemicals, one of which is called histamine. Histamine is the most abundantly released chemical and is responsible for causing most of your symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose (nasal congestion), or itchy, watery eyes.

REACTINE® is an over-the-counter medicine containing antihistamine that provides effective, 24-hour relief of indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms

What are your allergy triggers? When are you most affected? Recognizing your reaction to allergens is the first step. Check out our Allergy Guide for more information on both indoor and outdoor allergies.

REACTINE® Liquid Gels and Rapid Dissolve products are fast-acting and offer long-lasting relief.

Each product may have a unique dosage and may only be intended for specific age groups – it is always recommended to follow the instructions on the product’s label. It is not recommended to take REACTINE for prolonged use unless advised by your physician.

REACTINE® and CLARITIN® are different as they both contain different active ingredients. REACTINE® contains the active ingredient Cetirizine. Whereas, CLARITIN® contains the active ingredient Loratadine. Both treat similar allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itchy eyes/nose, sneezing and, itching.

Symptoms

The difference in symptoms between cold and allergies can be subtle, but the following highlights the primary differences between the two:

Symptom

Cold

Allergies

Fever

Sometimes

Unlikely

Body Aches

Sometimes

Unlikely

Itchy Eyes

Unlikely

Yes

Sneezing

Yes

Yes

Congestion

Yes

Yes

Runny Nose

Yes

Yes

Mucus

Thick, Yellow/Green

Thin, clear

While a cold may last anywhere from 7 – 10 days, allergies tend to last much longer and throughout the season, or when constantly exposed to certain environments. Cold symptoms also appear more gradually compared to allergies where symptoms may suddenly flare up.

Click here to learn more about the difference between colds and allergies.

Dosing & Safety

For information on dosing, please read the REACTINE® product label or review the product details on this site.

Ingredients

REACTINE® uses the active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride in its OTC medication. Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that is used to treat allergy symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose, sneezing, hives, and itching. It works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction.

Cetirizine does not prevent hives or treat a serious allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis). Please seek immediate medical attention if you think you are experiencing anaphylaxis.