Claritin Side Effects

Common side effects of Claritin in adults include headaches, dizziness, and dry mouth. In children, side effects include hyperactivity and stomach pain. Side effects are typically minor and easily treated. However, some Claritin side effects are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider right away, such as breathing problems or signs of an allergic reaction.

 

Claritin Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Claritin® (loratadine). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Claritin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Claritin side effects with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Claritin

Claritin has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, the most common Claritin side effects in adults included:
 
  • Headaches -- in up to 12 percent of people
  • Drowsiness -- up to 8 percent
  • Fatigue -- up to 4 percent
  • Dry mouth -- up to 3 percent.
     
In children, common side effects (occurring in 4 percent or less) included:
 
  • Nervousness
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Hyperactivity
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Conjunctivitis ("pink eye")
  • Voice changes
  • A general ill feeling (malaise)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (such as the common cold).
     
(Claritin Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;