Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Claritin WorksSide EffectsHow Claritin ComparesHow to Take ClaritinDrug Interactions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Claritin Works
Side Effects
How Claritin Compares
How to Take Claritin
Drug Interactions
Claritin is a popular over-the-counter (OTC)antihistamineused to treatseasonal allergies. It is generally preferred over earlier-generation antihistamines likeBenadrylwhich are known to cause daytime sleepiness.By comparison, Claritin is advertised as being “non-drowsy,” although it can affect some people differently than others—does Claritin make you drowsy?
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How Does Claritin Work?
Claritin and other second-generation antihistamines differ from first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Dimetapp (brompheniramine) in that they do not cross theblood-brain barrierand induce somnolence (sleepiness).
This means that Claritin can be taken during the daytime with less risk of drowsiness.
Claritin is used specifically to relieve symptoms of seasonalallergic rhinitis(hay fever) and treatchronic idiopathicurticaria(hives) in adults and children 2 years of age or older. Its effects are relatively long-lasting, with adrug half-lifeof around eight hours.
Side Effects of Claritin and the Risk of Drowsiness
As with all medications, Claritin can cause side effects. Some people are affected more than others, although many experience no notable symptoms.
Common side effects of Claritin include:
Headache
This is the most common side effect of Claritin, affecting roughly 12% of users. This side effect is generally mild and tends to wane as your body becomes accustomed to the medication.
Gastrointestinal Distress
It is possible to experience upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea on Claritin. As many as 10% of Claritin users experience these side effects, although they tend to be mild, short-lasting, and easily managed at home.
Fatigue
Fatigue, or the general lack of energy, is a side effect of Claritin affecting around 3% of users. As with headaches, the side effects tend to be transient (short-term) and improve over time, although the feeling of tiredness and weakness can be profound in some people.
Dry Mouth
All antihistamines are associated withxerostomia, or dry mouth. This is because antihistamines block a protein called amuscarinicreceptor that, among other things, regulates salivation.
With that said, this effect is far less profound compared to first-generation antihistamines, affecting only around 3% of Claritin users.
Drowsiness
Although Claritin and other second-generation antihistamines are advertised as being “non-drowsy,” some people have been known to experience light daytime sleepiness soon after a dose. This tends to affect people with smaller body sizes or who take more than the recommended doses. Dizziness can also occur.
Even so, this is a relatively uncommon side effect, affecting only around 1% of users.
Other Side Effects
Uncommon but possible side effects of Claritin include:
Advise your healthcare provider if you experience these or any other unusual side effects.
When to Call 911Very severe allergic reactions are rare with Claritin, but seek immediate medical treatment if you experience the following after taking a dose:Rash or hivesDifficulty breathingSwelling of the face, lips, or throatRapid, shallow breathingAbnormal heart rhythmsLightheadedness or dizziness
When to Call 911
Very severe allergic reactions are rare with Claritin, but seek immediate medical treatment if you experience the following after taking a dose:Rash or hivesDifficulty breathingSwelling of the face, lips, or throatRapid, shallow breathingAbnormal heart rhythmsLightheadedness or dizziness
Very severe allergic reactions are rare with Claritin, but seek immediate medical treatment if you experience the following after taking a dose:
How Claritin Compares to Other Antihistamines
All antihistamines are not the same, and if Claritin doesn’t work for you, there are other second-generation antihistamines you can try, such as:
This is not meant to suggest that Claritin is less effective than its counterparts. If your hay fever symptoms are mild to moderate, Claritin can be just as effective as Clarinex and any of the other second-generation options.
In terms of side effects, Xyzal appears to have marginally fewer side effects than its counterparts, while Allegra has a marginally lower risk of daytime sleepiness. Clarinex has the highest risk of side effects overall.
As such, if the side effects of Claritin are long-lasting or severe, Allegra and Xyzal may be more tolerable.
Should I Take Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra?
Claritin is approved for use in adults and children 2 years and older. It is taken once every 24 hours with or without food. (However, taking it with food and a full glass of water may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal distress.)
Can You Take Claritin Every Day?Claritin is considered safe to use every day and is often prescribed daily for people with severe seasonal allergies. Even so, there have been rare reports of liver damage after the long-term use of Claritin, typically among people with pre-existing liver disease.If you have liver disease, speak with your healthcare provider before using Claritin or any other antihistamine.
Can You Take Claritin Every Day?
Claritin is considered safe to use every day and is often prescribed daily for people with severe seasonal allergies. Even so, there have been rare reports of liver damage after the long-term use of Claritin, typically among people with pre-existing liver disease.If you have liver disease, speak with your healthcare provider before using Claritin or any other antihistamine.
Claritin is considered safe to use every day and is often prescribed daily for people with severe seasonal allergies. Even so, there have been rare reports of liver damage after the long-term use of Claritin, typically among people with pre-existing liver disease.
If you have liver disease, speak with your healthcare provider before using Claritin or any other antihistamine.
Interactions to Watch for When Using Claritin
This can cause blood concentrations of Claritin to rise as drug metabolization is decreased, leading to a higher risk of side effects.
Let your healthcare provider know if you take any of the following before using Claritin:
Do not take Claritin with alcohol as this can increase the risk of drowsiness and dizziness.
Summary
Claritin is an over-the-counter antihistamine that can ease common symptoms related to seasonal allergies and hives. It does not cause drowsiness for most people but can in some. If Claritin causes drowsiness or other side effects (like fatigue, headache, stomach upset, or diarrhea), ask your healthcare provider if other antihistamines like Allegra, Clarinex, Xyzal, and Zyrtec can be used.
A Word From VerywellThere are many antihistamines available over the counter, so it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide which to use. Claritin (loratadine) is a good choice for many, given its non-drowsy nature and once-daily dosing.As always, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting a new medication.—LINDSAY COOK, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There are many antihistamines available over the counter, so it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide which to use. Claritin (loratadine) is a good choice for many, given its non-drowsy nature and once-daily dosing.As always, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting a new medication.—LINDSAY COOK, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There are many antihistamines available over the counter, so it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide which to use. Claritin (loratadine) is a good choice for many, given its non-drowsy nature and once-daily dosing.As always, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting a new medication.
There are many antihistamines available over the counter, so it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide which to use. Claritin (loratadine) is a good choice for many, given its non-drowsy nature and once-daily dosing.
As always, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting a new medication.
—LINDSAY COOK, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Antihistamines: if/when are first generation antihistamines advantageous over newer antihistamines?Medline Plus.Loratadine.Linton S, Hossenbaccus L, Ellis AK.Evidence-based use of antihistamines for treatment of allergic conditions.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Oct;131(4):412-420. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.07.019Schering Corporation.Claritin brand of loratadine tablets, syrups, and rapidly-disintegrating tablets.Schering Corporation.Clarinex (desloratadine) tablets.Ito K, Izumi N, Funayama S, et al.Characteristics of medication-induced xerostomia and effect of treatment.PLoS One.2023;18(1):e0280224. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280224National Health Service (UK).Loratadine (Clarityn).Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol.2013 May-Jun;58(3):219–224. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832Arshad H, Khan A, Assad U, Kittaneh M, Berkelhammer C.Antihistamine-induced hepatitis: 2 cases involving loratidine.Case Reports in Hepatology. 2016;2016:1-2. doi:10.1155/2016/6890313Additional Reading"Loratadine.“MedlinePlus Drug Information 01 Sep 08. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 17 April 09.“Claritin Allergy Products.“Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Inc. 2009. 17 April 09.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Antihistamines: if/when are first generation antihistamines advantageous over newer antihistamines?Medline Plus.Loratadine.Linton S, Hossenbaccus L, Ellis AK.Evidence-based use of antihistamines for treatment of allergic conditions.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Oct;131(4):412-420. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.07.019Schering Corporation.Claritin brand of loratadine tablets, syrups, and rapidly-disintegrating tablets.Schering Corporation.Clarinex (desloratadine) tablets.Ito K, Izumi N, Funayama S, et al.Characteristics of medication-induced xerostomia and effect of treatment.PLoS One.2023;18(1):e0280224. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280224National Health Service (UK).Loratadine (Clarityn).Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol.2013 May-Jun;58(3):219–224. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832Arshad H, Khan A, Assad U, Kittaneh M, Berkelhammer C.Antihistamine-induced hepatitis: 2 cases involving loratidine.Case Reports in Hepatology. 2016;2016:1-2. doi:10.1155/2016/6890313Additional Reading"Loratadine.“MedlinePlus Drug Information 01 Sep 08. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 17 April 09.“Claritin Allergy Products.“Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Inc. 2009. 17 April 09.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Antihistamines: if/when are first generation antihistamines advantageous over newer antihistamines?Medline Plus.Loratadine.Linton S, Hossenbaccus L, Ellis AK.Evidence-based use of antihistamines for treatment of allergic conditions.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Oct;131(4):412-420. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.07.019Schering Corporation.Claritin brand of loratadine tablets, syrups, and rapidly-disintegrating tablets.Schering Corporation.Clarinex (desloratadine) tablets.Ito K, Izumi N, Funayama S, et al.Characteristics of medication-induced xerostomia and effect of treatment.PLoS One.2023;18(1):e0280224. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280224National Health Service (UK).Loratadine (Clarityn).Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol.2013 May-Jun;58(3):219–224. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832Arshad H, Khan A, Assad U, Kittaneh M, Berkelhammer C.Antihistamine-induced hepatitis: 2 cases involving loratidine.Case Reports in Hepatology. 2016;2016:1-2. doi:10.1155/2016/6890313
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Antihistamines: if/when are first generation antihistamines advantageous over newer antihistamines?
Medline Plus.Loratadine.
Linton S, Hossenbaccus L, Ellis AK.Evidence-based use of antihistamines for treatment of allergic conditions.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Oct;131(4):412-420. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.07.019
Schering Corporation.Claritin brand of loratadine tablets, syrups, and rapidly-disintegrating tablets.
Schering Corporation.Clarinex (desloratadine) tablets.
Ito K, Izumi N, Funayama S, et al.Characteristics of medication-induced xerostomia and effect of treatment.PLoS One.2023;18(1):e0280224. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280224
National Health Service (UK).Loratadine (Clarityn).
Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol.2013 May-Jun;58(3):219–224. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832
Arshad H, Khan A, Assad U, Kittaneh M, Berkelhammer C.Antihistamine-induced hepatitis: 2 cases involving loratidine.Case Reports in Hepatology. 2016;2016:1-2. doi:10.1155/2016/6890313
“Loratadine.“MedlinePlus Drug Information 01 Sep 08. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 17 April 09.“Claritin Allergy Products.“Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Inc. 2009. 17 April 09.
“Claritin Allergy Products.“Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Inc. 2009. 17 April 09.
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