Generic Claritin

Common use

Claritin is an antihistamine which used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose and itching of the nose and throat. Claritin is blocking a histamine in the body. Also it relieves the swollen, red, itchy patches of skin caused by hives.



Dosage and direction

Consult with your doctor before using. Use no more than was prescribed.

The recommended dose for adults and children over 6 ears old is 10 milligrams once a day, taken as 1 tablet or 2 teaspoonfuls of syrup. In patients with liver or kidney disease daily dose is 10 milligrams every other day.

The recommended dose for children 2 to 5 is 1 teaspoonful of syrup once a day. In the children with kidney or liver problems daily dose is 1 teaspoonful every other day.

Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It's very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It help you to get best results.



Precautions

This medication may cause excessive sleepiness in people with liver or kidney disease, or older adults, and should be used with caution. Claritin should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnancy or lactating. Do not use without doctor's advice before breast-feeding.



Contraindications

Claritine is not allowed to people which experience following conditions: hypersensitivity to Loratadine; kidney failure; liver Failure or in Children under 2 years old; breastfeeding, pregnancy.



Possible side effect

They may include an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also the most possible side effects include:

fast or uneven heart rate;

feeling like you might pass out;

jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

seizures (convulsions).

Less serious include:

headache;

nervousness;

feeling tired or drowsy;

stomach pain, diarrhea;

dry mouth, sore throat hoarseness;

eye redness, blurred vision;

nosebleed; or

skin rash.

If you experience one of them stop using Claritin and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.



Drug interaction

Claritin interact with such medication as Tagamet and Nizoral. Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how it interactions are being managed or should be managed.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Symptoms of Claritin overdose may include: headache, rapid heartbeat, sleepiness. If you experience one of them call your doctor immediately.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)