Get Informed: Claritin
Active Ingredient(s)
Loratadine
What does it do?
This product is commonly used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. It works by blocking the action of histamine, an important chemical released during allergic reactions.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 5:57 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:14 PM
Other Names
- Claritin
- Loratadine
- Alavert
- Claritine
- Claritin Kids
- Claritin Reditabs
- Flonidan
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 12 Apr 1993
- Est US Patients*
- 5,503,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Claritin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Claritin
There have been no alerts regarding Claritin during the past year.
Claritin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Claritin used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 32,200 patients that use Claritin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies | 83% | 
|
| Nasal Congestion | 16% |
|
| Sinus Problems | 2% |
|
| Other | 9% |
|
How well does Claritin work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 32,200 users taking Claritin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 84%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Claritin outweigh the bad things.
- 5%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Claritin.
Common Side Effects of Claritin
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 32,200 users taking Claritin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
13% of patients experience side-effects on Claritin
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Claritin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Dryness, Nausea/Vomiting, Sore Mouth/Throat
Global Patient Feedback for Claritin (Loratadine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I take loratidine year round with no apparent side effects. I do have a real problem with inner-ear infections,(which can cause vertigo) so I take guifenisen as well to thin the mucus. Be sure to take evening dose early, as it can keep you awake. This combination has worked for me for years!! Be sure you check with your Dr. first, because guifenisen can increase heart rate if taken in large doses. I had some BAD bouts of vertigo a couple of years ago, went through all the usual tests & ENT stuff. Was diagnosed with Menere's disease. Turned out not to be so, went to chiropractor & turned out I had a pinched nerve in my neck. It took about three weeks of treatments, but it worked!! I get a "tune up" once a year and if I feel it coming on. I have fibromyalgia, so am prone to muscle & nerve problems.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-12 15:17:42
Question/Comment:
This works great for hives without the sedation of benedryl.
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-10 16:23:59
Question/Comment:
I had a severe case of vertigo. The ENT physician performed a hearing test, gave me exercises and said come back in six weeks. A few days later, my hairdresser advised me to take one Claritin (not D) tablet daily plus motion sickness pills; vertigo cleared up in two days and I discontinued the motion sickness pills. At my six-week visit to the ENT, he recommended that I take Claritin and motion sickness pills. I've continued the Claritin.
77 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-05 16:18:20
Answer/Reply:
Fluid in the ear and sinus areas can cause vertigo. If Claritin clears it up... well then why take additional medicine that is not needed. Also be aware that it may be seasonal for you. You may not even need the Claritin all year... Good Luck.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-26 16:00:42
Answer/Reply:
The drug in the motion sickness pills acts as a decongestant as well, so if your vertigo was due to allergies or sinuses being clogged, that may be why it helped. I, too, have allergies and occasionally have bouts with vertigo. Whether my vertigo is genetically linked or allergies or both, an OTC motion sickness pill or two always seems to help. I keep them around for flare-ups of the vertigo, but do not take them daily.
45 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-28 05:53:40
Question/Comment:
Is it okay to take Claritin if you take nortriptyline
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-26 10:41:35
Question/Comment:
i was just prescribed claritin for seasonal allergies. i have tacycardia and mitral valve prolapse. i am extremly paranoid of taking new meds for this reason. will the claritin affect the tacycardia or mitral valve prolapse. i hate to take anything that might aggrivate the tacycardia and send me into an anxiety attack. thats a scary feeling to have just to keep my nose from runnin..lol
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-18 12:16:47
Answer/Reply:
I don't have MVP but I have hyperthyroidism and it does not affect my heart rate. I take it daily 9 months out of the year here in NorthEast TX. If your Doctor knows your conditions and prescribed it...it is probably alright. I have not heard of anyone having tacycardia with it or I wouldn't be taking it either. I'm an RN by education and I did read the complete insert.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-27 16:58:28
Answer/Reply:
I also suffer from tachycardiaand have found that the only med that does NOT get my heart racing is loratadine or claritin. A blessing during allergy season which here in Portland, OR is nearly 8 months a year!
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-29 14:42:51
Answer/Reply:
Your doctor should be well aware of your medical history and should not prescribe anything that will cause you trouble; HOWEVER, mistakes are made all the time. You need to talk with the pharmacist before filling the prescription. He or she will be able to advise you regarding any side effects. If you are given the go ahead to take the medication, I would suggest going to Sam's Club and buy the Loratadine there. At my club it is less than $13.00 for 300 tablets. That's nearly a year's supply if you take it daily!
45 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-29 21:13:34
Answer/Reply:
My mother has MVP and uses loratadine (generic Claritin) twice a day. She has no complications from it. I have an arrythmia (sp?) and also take loratadine (10mg, btw) twice daily. It has not increased or interrupted my heart rate at all. I've been taking it for about 10 years. Recently (past 6 months), I started taking Zyrtec at the direction of my dermatologist. I have pretty severe allergies and he swears this is still better than Claritin. Just food for thought. I think I still like Claritin better.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-04 12:50:07
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31
Patient Comments about
Claritin