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Compare Claritin vs. Claritin-D

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

Key takeaways

Loratadine (Claritin) and loratadine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) are both over-the-counter medications used to relieve allergy symptoms, but they have some key differences. Loratadine is an antihistamine that helps with symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. It is available in various forms, including tablets and oral solutions, and is typically taken once a day. On the other hand, Claritin-D combines loratadine with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that also relieves nasal and sinus congestion. Claritin-D comes in 12-hour and 24-hour tablets, which are taken once or twice a day, respectively. Loratidine can cause drowsiness, while Claritin-D can cause side effects like high blood pressure and fast heart rate due to the pseudoephedrine. Additionally, Claritin-D is kept behind the pharmacy counter and requires you to show ID to purchase it. If you have heart problems or high blood pressure, you should consult a healthcare professional before taking Claritin-D.

  • Loratadine (Claritin)
    Claritin-d (loratadine / pseudoephedrine)
  • Loratadine (Claritin)
    Claritin-d (loratadine / pseudoephedrine)

  • Summary of Claritin vs. Claritin-D

    Summary for Antihistamine

    Loratadine (Claritin) is an over-the-counter antihistamine. It's used to ease allergy symptoms, such as runny nose or watery eyes, in adults and children. Loratadine (Claritin) is taken by mouth, typically once daily. It's available in different formulations, such as tablets and oral solution. Loratadine (Claritin) is considered a non-drowsy medication because it's less likely to cause sleepiness than some other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Other side effects of this medication include headache and tiredness.

    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).

  • Indications of Claritin vs. Claritin-D

    Indications for
    •Short-term relief of allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose, itchy or watery eyes)
    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

  • Pros and Cons of Claritin vs. Claritin-D

    Pros and Const for Antihistamine
    Pros
    •First-choice option for allergies
    •Appears to cause less sleepiness than diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
    •Oral liquids and certain chewable tablets can be taken by children as young as 2 years old
    Cons
    •Might not work as well in younger children compared to cetirizine (Zyrtec)
    •Might have a higher risk of side effects if you have liver or kidney problems
    •Tablets, capsules, and orally disintegrating tablets can't be used in children younger than 6 years.
    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

  • Common Side Effects of Claritin vs. Claritin-D

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (12%)
    •Sleepiness (8%)
    •Fatigue (4%)
    •Dry mouth (3%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (25%)

  • Warnings of Claritin vs. Claritin-D

    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Accidentally taking too much medication
    •Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Fast heart rate and high blood pressure
    •Possible drowsiness
    •Worsening of medical conditions
    •Accidental overdose

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

    Learn more about Loratadine
    Learn more about Claritin-d

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