My doctor ordered benadryl for itchy red eyes and stuffy nose. When I asked the nurse for some, she gave me loretadine instead and said it was "just the same". Is it the truth? Does loretadine have a pharmaceutical name? Or what is the generic name for benadryl? Are there any significant differences between the two? The ooretadine says on the box it is "non-drowsy" and benadryl creates a sleepy level high enough that it is sometimes prescribed as a sleep aid in the elderly. ? Thank you.