Newer antihistamines vs Benadryl: Newer ones win for spring allergies because they don't knock you out

The main difference is that Benadryl crosses into your brain and makes you drowsy, while second-generation antihistamines like loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine don’t. Between the newer ones, try loratadine first—it’s almost always non-drowsy but might be weaker. If it’s not cutting it, switch to cetirizine, which is slightly stronger but can still cause some drowsiness. Don’t bother with Benadryl unless you want a nap.