Skip to content
ppharmaranks
Menu

ASTELIN vs ZYRTEC HIVES

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. ASTELIN and ZYRTEC HIVES are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Rating

72/100
70/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.58 /mL
$0.06 /mL

Type

RX
RX

Active ingredient

AZELASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE
CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Dosage forms

Spray/Inhaler, metered
Solution

Drug class

Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist

Boxed warning

None
None

Half-life

about 8.3 hours (mean in healthy adults)

Treats

Allergic Conjunctivitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis, Vasomotor Rhinitis
Perennial Allergic Rhinitis, Urticaria

Get astelinhigher-rated option

Advertising disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our independent ratings.

Get treatment online

Licensed online providers — consult & get prescribed if eligible.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Astelin or Zyrtec Hives?

By our independent rating, Astelin scores higher — 3.6 vs 3.5 out of 5 for Zyrtec Hives. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Astelin or Zyrtec Hives?

Zyrtec Hives costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.06 vs $0.58 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Astelin and Zyrtec Hives?

Astelin contains Azelastine Hydrochloride, while Zyrtec Hives contains Cetirizine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.