Is Piriton the same as Piriteze?

When allergy season hits and you're browsing the pharmacy shelves, knowing what antihistamine to turn to is not always easy. 

If you’ve browsed the available options, you've probably come across both Piriton and Piriteze. But are these similarly named allergy medications the same? 

Let's clear up the confusion and help you choose the best antihistamines for your needs.

Understanding Antihistamines

Before we discuss the differences between Piriton and Piriteze, let's briefly recap what antihistamines are and how they work. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, a substance your body produces during an allergic reaction. That could include anything from pet hair to hay fever or minor food allergies. 

Histamine is responsible for many of the uncomfortable symptoms you experience during an allergy flare-up, such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Skin rashes or hives

So, by blocking histamine, antihistamines help alleviate these symptoms and relieve allergies.

Are Piriton and Piriteze The Same? Here’s the Short Answer

In short, no, Piriton and Piriteze are not the same medication. While both are antihistamines used to treat allergy symptoms, they contain different active ingredients. Piriton is a first-generation antihistamine, which can cause drowsiness, while Piriteze is a second-generation antihistamine and is less likely to cause drowsiness.

Piriton: A Well-Established Antihistamine

Piriton is a brand name for the antihistamine chlorphenamine (also known as chlorpheniramine). It's been used for many years (since 1949, to be precise) and is classified as a “first-generation” antihistamine. It's still effective at reducing common allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. 

One advantage to Piriton is that it works quickly – within about 30 minutes. However, it does make many people feel drowsy. This might be a blessing if allergies keep you up at night, but less ideal if you need to stay alert during the day. 

You can find Piriton over the counter in most chemists, available as tablets or syrup. The usual dose for adults is one 4mg tablet every 4-6 hours, but don't take more than six in a day. For children, it's best to check with a pharmacist for the right dosage.

Piriteze: A Modern Alternative

Like Piriton, Piriteze tackles the usual suspects: hay fever, pet allergies, and other common allergic reactions. It’s a newer antihistamine, named cetirizine, but has still been around since the mid-1980s. Piriteze is effective at easing sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses – so there are no major differences to Piriton there. 

The key difference is that Piriteze, being a newer “second generation” antihistamine, is less likely to make you feel drowsy. That’s good for daytime use when you otherwise need to stay alert, e.g. for work or driving. 

Another of Piriteze's main selling points is its long-lasting effect. Just one single dose typically provides relief for a full 24 hours, which means you don't need to worry about taking multiple pills throughout the day. It does, however, take a little longer to kick in than Piriton. You can easily pick up Piriteze over the counter at most pharmacies and supermarkets.

Choosing Between Piriton and Piriteze

When deciding between these two medications, weigh up the following factors:

• Time of Day: If you need relief at night and don't mind the drowsiness, Piriton might be a good choice. For daytime use, Piriteze could be more suitable.
• Duration of Symptoms: Piriteze's once-daily dosing might be more convenient if you need round-the-clock relief.
• Speed of Relief: For quicker relief of sudden allergy symptoms, Piriton might have the edge.
• Age: If you're choosing allergy relief for a young child, ask your pharmacist about the best product.
• Personal Response: Some people respond better to one medication than the other. Finding what works best for you may take some trial and error.

Other Allergy Relief Options

While Piriton and Piriteze are both effective antihistamines, they're not your only options for allergy relief. Other alternatives include:

• Benadryl: Contains diphenhydramine, another first-generation antihistamine
• Clarityn: Contains loratadine, another second-generation antihistamine
• Nasal Sprays: Can provide targeted relief for nasal symptoms
• Eye Drops: Useful for alleviating itchy, watery eyes

The Bottom Line

While Piriton and Piriteze are both antihistamines used to treat allergy symptoms, they’re not the same! They contain different active ingredients and have distinct characteristics that may make one more suitable than the other, depending on your situation and needs.

In summary:

• Piriton: With its active ingredient chlorphenamine, is a first-generation antihistamine that can cause drowsiness but may provide quicker relief.
• Piriteze: Containing cetirizine, is a second-generation antihistamine less likely to cause drowsiness and offers 24-hour relief with a single dose.

If you’re unsure of what to take, try both on alternating days to see which works better. You can also simply ask a pharmacist for advice.

Authored By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Published on: 09/08/2024

Reviewed By

Dr Giuseppe Aragona

Doctor

Dr. Giuseppe utilises his extensive experience in general practice to ensure the accuracy and safety of the website's content.

Reviewed on: 09/08/2024