- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Itchy nose or throat.
Claritin is also approved to treat itching due to hives, which may or may not be caused by
allergies. The medication is available in combination with a decongestant
(see Claritin-D). Although Claritin and Claritin-D
® were originally prescription products, they are now available without a prescription. Compared to most non-prescription antihistamines, Claritin is much less likely to cause drowsiness.
Brand-name Claritin is made by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. Generic versions of the drug are made by various manufacturers.
Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances that do not bother most people.
This reaction is partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body. Claritin is an antihistamine, which means it blocks histamine from binding to histamine receptors and causing allergy symptoms. Since histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies, blocking it can be helpful.
Lots of people get nasal congestion due to allergies. However, antihistamines don't help with this particular allergy symptom (since congestion isn't caused by histamine). In order to treat congestion, it is necessary to add a nasal decongestant (such as
pseudoephedrine). Claritin comes in a combination product that contains pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D), just for this purpose.
Histamine is also responsible for the formation of hives (whether they are caused by allergies or not). By blocking histamine, Claritin can alleviate the itching due to hives as well.
When and How to Take Claritin
General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- It comes in several forms, including tablets, Liqui-Gels®, orally disintegrating tablets, and syrup. It is usually taken by mouth once daily, although one product (Claritin 12-Hour RediTabs®) is taken twice a day.
- You can take it with or without food. If the medication seems to bother your stomach, try taking it with food.
- Claritin RediTabs (orally disintegrating tablets) dissolve rapidly on the tongue with no need for water. They are a good option for people who have trouble swallowing tablets.
- Try to take Claritin at the same time each day to keep an even level in your blood.
- Some people need to take it all year long, while others take it only during allergy season.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as directed by the package labeling. Please read the label closely.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible. 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 can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Claritin include, but are not limited to:
(Click Side Effects of Claritin to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Claritin may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Drowsiness
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Headaches
- Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
- Unusual body movements or muscle contractions.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your Claritin dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
The medication comes in the following strengths and forms:
- Children's Claritin grape- or fruit-flavored syrup -- contains 5 mg of Claritin per teaspoonful (per 5 mL)
- Children's Claritin 5 mg grape chewable tablets
- Claritin 10 mg RediTabs (orally disintegrating tablets)
- Claritin 5 mg RediTabs (12-hour tablets)
- Claritin 10 mg tablets
- Claritin Hives Relief 10 mg tablets (the same as the regular Claritin 10 mg tablets)
- Claritin 10 mg Liqui-Gel liquid-filled capsules.
Is There a Generic Version of Claritin?
