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Compare Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Loratadine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) and guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine (Mucinex D) are both over-the-counter medications that help relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure. They both contain pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, which helps clear your sinuses. However, they differ in their other active ingredients and uses. Claritin-D combines loratadine, an antihistamine, with pseudoephedrine to treat allergy symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes, while Mucinex D combines guaifenesin, an expectorant, with pseudoephedrine to help loosen mucus and ease chest congestion. Claritin-D is available in 12-hour and 24-hour tablets, while Mucinex D is available as an extended-release tablet taken every 12 hours. Both medications can cause side effects like headache and trouble sleeping, but Claritin-D may also cause drowsiness, while Mucinex D might cause anxiety. You should avoid taking other medications with similar ingredients to prevent overdose and serious side effects.

  • Claritin-d (loratadine / pseudoephedrine)
    Mucinex d (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
  • Claritin-d (loratadine / pseudoephedrine)
    Mucinex d (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)

  • Summary of Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

    Summary for Antihistamine / Decongestant

    Claritin-D (loratadine / pseudoephedrine) is an over-the-counter medication that's used to relieve allergies and congestion. It's available as a 24-hour tablet that's taken once per day and a 12-hour tablet that's taken twice per day. Possible side effects include headache, dry mouth, drowsiness, and difficulty sleeping. There are lower-cost generic and brand versions of the medication available. You can find Claritin-D (loratadine / pseudoephedrine) at the pharmacy counter (or behind the counter).

    Summary for Expectorant / Decongestant

    Mucinex D is a combination medication containing two active ingredients: guaifenesin (an expectorant) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). It's used to help temporarily relieve stuffy nose, chest congestion, and sinus pressure. This medication can be used for people 12 years of age and older. It's an extended-release tablet that's taken by mouth every 12 hours and is also available as a lower-cost generic. Side effects can include trouble sleeping and headache.

  • Indications of Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

    Indications for

    Short-term relief of allergy symptoms:

    •Runny nose
    •Itchy nose or throat
    •Itchy or watery eyes
    •Stuffy nose
    •Nasal congestion
    •Sinus congestion or pressure
    Indications for
    •Short-term relief of stuffy nose due to allergies or the common cold
    •Loosens mucus to ease chest congestion
    •Sinus congestion and pressure

  • Pros and Cons of Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

    Pros and Const for Antihistamine / Decongestant
    Pros
    •Easier to take a combination pill instead of two separate pills for congestion and other allergy symptoms
    •Available as a once-daily tablet
    •Available over the counter
    Cons
    •More difficult to customize the dose since Claritin-D (loratadine / pseudoephedrine) is a combination of two medications
    •Not the best choice for people who have difficulty swallowing tablets (can't crush the tablets and no available liquid form available)
    •Can't be used in children younger than 12 years
    Pros and Const for Expectorant / Decongestant
    Pros
    •Helps with stuffy nose, chest and sinus congestion, and wet cough
    •Combines two medications in a single product for convenience
    •Available over the counter without a prescription (in most states)
    •Doesn't cause drowsiness or sleepiness
    Cons
    •More difficult to customize the dose since it's a fixed combination of two medications
    •Only available as an extended-release tablet, which can't be cut or crushed
    •Might not be the best choice for people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure
    •Not the best choice if you're pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (25%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Trouble sleeping
    •Headache
    •Anxiety
    •Dry mouth

  • Warnings of Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

    Common Side Effects for
    •Fast heart rate and high blood pressure
    •Possible drowsiness
    •Worsening of medical conditions
    •Accidental overdose
    Common Side Effects for
    •Worsening of certain medical conditions
    •Accidentally taking too much medication

  • Prices with our coupons for Claritin-D vs. Mucinex D

    Learn more about Claritin-d
    Learn more about Mucinex d

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