Cetirizine hydrochloride vs Diphenhydramine hydrochloride

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)

Data updated March 2026

Cetirizine hydrochloride was dispensed 124.9× as often as Diphenhydramine hydrochloride in March 2026 — 297,912 items versus 2,386 in England.

297,912items

Cetirizine hydrochloride · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

2,386items

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Cetirizine hydrochloride versus Diphenhydramine hydrochloride: national items dispensed by month

▬ Cetirizine hydrochloride · ╌ Diphenhydramine hydrochloride

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Cetirizine hydrochloride versus Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, March 2026
Measure	Cetirizine hydrochloride	Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Items, March 2026	297,912	2,386
Items, last 12 months	3,571,835	28,945
Net ingredient cost, March 2026	£716,328	£12,041