Benadryl vs Zyrtec:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Benadryl had more branded searches than Zyrtec among allergy medicine brands in the United States. Benadryl had about 450,000 branded searches, while Zyrtec had 368,000. Benadryl made up 30.3% of all allergy medicine brand searches we track, and Zyrtec accounted for 24.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about allergy medicine brands, Zyrtec appeared in four of the five answers and Benadryl in two. Zyrtec was mentioned before Benadryl in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Benadryl, about 22% more searches than Zyrtec
Who does AI mention more?
Zyrtec, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Benadryl in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Zyrtec, named ahead of Benadryl in 4 of 4 answers
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Top allergy medicine brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zyrtec was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Benadryl was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Zyrtec was listed before Benadryl in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Flonase5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Zyrtec4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Claritin4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Allegra4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Nasacort3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Benadryl2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Xyzal2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about allergy medicine brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best allergy medicine?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best non-drowsy allergy medicine?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best nasal spray for allergies?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“allergy medicine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best allergy medicine”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.
Is Benadryl or Zyrtec more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Benadryl and Zyrtec by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven allergy medicine brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Benadryl, Zyrtec. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Benadryl | Zyrtec | Flonase | Claritin | Allegra | Xyzal | Nasacort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 32.3% | 21.6% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 2.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 30.8% | 25.2% | 13.8% | 11.3% | 7.6% | 9.2% | 2.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.7% | 24.3% | 16.2% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 2.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 33% | 22% | 18% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 2.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 28% | 22.9% | 18.7% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 8.4% | 2.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.2% | 24.2% | 16.2% | 13.2% | 8.9% | 10.8% | 2.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.6% | 27.6% | 15.1% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 26.3% | 26.3% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 1.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.3% | 22.2% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 8.1% | 10% | 2% |
| Jul 2026 | 34.7% | 23.2% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 2.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.3% | 26.4% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 1.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.3% | 24.7% | 13.5% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 2.2% |
How has the Benadryl and Zyrtec comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Zyrtec took it in April 2026, Benadryl took it in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Benadryl’s share of searches among allergy medicine brands in the United States moved from 32.3% to 30.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zyrtec’s share of searches among allergy medicine brands in the United States moved from 21.6% to 24.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 368K.
How did search popularity change for United States allergy medicine brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Benadryl lost share of searches among allergy medicine brands in the United States, from 32.3% to 30.3%.
In September 2026, Zyrtec lost share of searches among allergy medicine brands in the United States, from 26.4% to 24.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Benadryl’s and Zyrtec’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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