Claritin

(loratadine)

●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 1517 reviewsforClaritin
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Treats allergies.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Claritin (loratadine) is a once-daily medicine for allergies that won't make you as sleepy as other medicines that work like it.

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Quick facts about Claritin
  • Drug class: Respiratory
  • Rx status: Prescription or OTC
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (loratadine)

Upsides

  • It doesn't cause daytime drowsiness unlike other antihistamines.
  • Side-effects are mild, if any at all.
  • Available over-the-counter without a prescription.
  • It provides quick relief of allergy symptoms for both children and adults.
  • It doesn't interfere with how a lot of other medicines work.
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What to expect from Claritin, on one page

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People’s experience with Claritin

1517reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • It's not the best choice if you have persistent, daily allergy symptoms.
  • It's not recommended for children less than 2 years old.
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What to expect from Claritin, on one page

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How it works

Claritin (loratadine) blocks histamine, a chemical that causes congestion, itching, and other allergic reactions.

Quick facts about Claritin
  • Drug class: Respiratory
  • Rx status: Prescription or OTC
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (loratadine)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Chewable tablet
  • Dissolving tablet
  • Liquid
People’s experience with Claritin

1517reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Claritin (loratadine) for Seasonal allergies

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  • First few hoursHours
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  • Effectiveness
  • Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
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Side effect rates for Claritin (loratadine)

  • Headache
    12%12%
    11%11%
  • Drowsiness
    8%8%
    6%6%
  • Nervousness or anxiety
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Wheezing
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Tiredness
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Rash
    3%3%
  • Diarrhea
    3%3%
  • Mouth or tongue irritation
    3%3%
  • Dry mouth
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Hyperactive behavior
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Ear pain
    3%3%
  • Bloody nose
    3%3%
  • Sore throat
    3%3%
  • Flu-like symptoms
    3%3%
  • Abdominal pain
    2%2%
  • Pink eye
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Lung infections
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Difficulty speaking
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Feeling uneasy or uncomfortable
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
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60%
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80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Claritin.

Claritin (loratadine)
Placebo

People taking Claritin felt side effect more

People taking Claritin felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Claritin (loratadine)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Taking with alcohol
    • › Taking other medicines that make you less alert

    Claritin (loratadine) can lower your ability to focus, think, and react. Be careful. Avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you.

Common concerns from people taking Claritin (loratadine)

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Food
  • Take it once a day with or without food.
Pain
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Claritinon 8/6/2017Do not take with pain medication.
    50
    Woman
    Less than a week
    Chronic nasal congestion (nonallergic)
Sleep
  • It doesn't cause daytime drowsiness unlike other antihistamines.